Telecommunications Law in the State of Qatar

The telecommunications sector is regulated by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) in the State of Qatar. The country's primary service provider Ooredoo is a state-owned company that is also responsible for building much of the country's telecom infrastructure. The private company Vodafone also operates within Qatar under the Telecommunications Law.

The Telecommunications Law applies to all persons, corporations, government agencies and public authorities. It does not, however, apply to broadcasters subject to other laws, the content of Internet Protocol telecommunications, the Armed Forces and Ministry of the Interior, or security bodies. 

There are three classes of telecom licenses in Qatar: 

• Individual.
• Class.
• Radio Spectrum.  

It is illegal to engage in public telecom without a license.

The primary objectives of Qatar's Telecom Law include:

• Ensuring the telecom sector meets international rules and regulations.
• Facilitating the consolidation of national, social and economic development.
• Encouraging competition and advanced information technology.
• Safeguarding customer benefits by addressing anti-competition practices through fair, non-discriminatory and transparent licensing systems.

You can check Law No. 17 of 2017 Amending the Telecommunications Law Promulgated by Law No. 34 of 2006.

Offences and Penalties

Telecom offences and their attendant penalties are found in Chapter 16 of the Telecom Law. Offences outlined include:

• Deliberate destruction of telecom infrastructure.
• Use of telecom facilities without pay.
• Penetration of security measures or wiretapping into telecom services that are not meant for public use.
• Damage on the operation of any telecom network.
• Use of telecom network for purposes of irritating or offending any person.
• Import or manufacturing of telecom equipment for the purpose of marketing it.
• Possession, installation or operation of any unauthorized radio telecom equipment.
• Divulgence of information about a telecom institution leading to unfair competition.

Penalties for these and other offences range in jail time and monetary fines. 

Consumer Protection

The Executive Regulation of the Telecommunications Law of Qatar No. (1) of 2009 forbids service providers from charging customers for services other than what is outlined in customer orders, agreed service terms or other written customer directions.

Bills issued by service providers must be:

• In easy and simple format.
• Issued at least once every three months (free of charge).
• In paper form, or electronic form if the customer consents to it.
• Provides accurate information the services provided, amounts owed, incurred tariffs, lengths or calls or other measures of usage.

The law mandates telecom companies to take all reasonable steps to protect the confidentiality of customer communications and information. However, it does not prohibit authorized government bodies from accessing that information.