Qatar to invest $550 m to improve Internet connectivity

Qatar will invest $550 million to accelerate the nationwide high-speed Fibre-To-The-Home (FTTH) broadband network that will reach at least 95 percent of households and businesses over the next five years. The announcement was made by Crown Prince Shaikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, who serves as Chairman of ictQATAR's Board of Directors, in his introductory letter to "Qatar's National ICT Plan 2015: Advancing the Digital Agenda" document. As part of the ambitious ICT plan to build a strong world-class ICT infrastructure, ictQATAR has entered into a joint venture with Europe-based Eutelsat Communications to build and operate a high-powered communications satellite set to be launched in 2013, Shaikh Tamim said. The National ICT Plan has outlined five strategic thrusts considered as critical components needed to create a sustainable digital future, which includes improving connectivity, boosting capacity, fostering economic development, enhancing public service delivery and advancing societal benefits, Qatari daily The Peninsula reported on Monday. Article continues below In its 46-page report, ictQATAR said the five-year strategic ICT plan was ambitious but was based on quantifiable goals of doubling the contribution of ICT to the GDP. The agenda also aims at doubling the ICT workforce, a high speed broadband access for households and businesses by 95 per cent in order to get 90 per cent internet penetration and achieve 160 online accessible and effective government services. The report says that 89 percent of households and 85 percent of individuals had PCs last year, while broadband use jumped from 41 percent of households in 2008 to 70 percent in 2010.