Vodafone Qatar has officially launched its 5G network in the presence of HE the Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim bin Saif al-Sulaiti in a ceremony on Monday at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC).

The minister also led the ceremonial speed test of Vodafone’s 5G network in Qatar while being assisted by Vodafone Qatar CEO Sheikh Hamad Abdulla Jassim al-Thani and COO Diego Camberos, who delivered a demonstration on the transformative potential of 5G in different fields and industries, as well as how it will improve the lives of residents in Qatar.
To demonstrate the power of 5G particularly its ultra-low latency (a shorter time to stream data between two points), the event showcased a performance by the world’s first-ever 5G orchestra led by five leading musicians in different locations.
In a speech, Sheikh Hamad laid out the business’ vision for how 5G will accelerate Qatar’s journey towards becoming “one of the most technologically-advanced countries in the world.” He also highlighted the transformative potential of 5G in changing “how we all connect to people and things around us forever.”


The event showcased a performance by the world’s first-ever 5G orchestra led by five leading musicians in different locations. PICTURES: Shemeer Rasheed


During the demonstration, Camberos showcased a number of potential applications of 5G technology, explaining how these “will improve the lives of the country’s residents and support Qatar’s progress.”
In the run-up to the Middle East’s first FIFA World Cup coming to Qatar in 2022, Camberos outlined the vision for how Vodafone’s 5G network will deliver “the ultimate experience” for millions of sports fans watching and sharing the action live in person, or accessing it via uninterrupted, super-fast connectivity. 
Camberos also explained the positive potential of 5G for the transportation sector, with 5G enabling sophisticated communication between vehicles, traffic management and coordination, advanced driver assistance, and ultimately fully-autonomous self-driving. 
With the huge strides that Qatar has made in the drive to be self-sufficient, the event showcased how 5G will accelerate this, Camberos said. 
In the agricultural sector, Camberos said 5G will monitor, track, and automate systems “at lightning fast speed,” support the development of smart-farming, and allow farmers to better measure things on a day-to-day basis remotely. 
Sheikh Hamad said: “Today, we have laid down a very clear marker in shaping our country’s future. This transformative technology has the potential to touch all walks of life, improving it for each and every one of us. 
“Qatar is focused on the future, and we are fast becoming one of the most digitally-connected countries on the planet. There’s no business better placed to move further or faster in delivering this.” 
According to Vodafone Qatar, the business is leveraging the expertise of its international peers to deploy 5G capabilities in the country. 
“International Vodafone offices across the globe are currently working to completely revolutionise the way people work and live by transforming the internet. 
“From conducting trials to leading research groups, the converged digital services provider is world-leading on the development of 5G, having completed the world’s first 5G call earlier this year,” the company said in a statement. 


Vodafone expects to connect 1st customers to 5G by year end

With roll out now well underway, Vodafone Qatar is expecting to connect its first customers to its 5G network by the end of 2018, CEO Sheikh Hamad Abdulla Jassim al-Thani has said.
Speaking at Vodafone Qatar’s launch of its 5G network at the QNCC on Monday, Sheikh Hamad said the telecommunications company “is building on a long-established track-record of innovation in achieving this ambition.” 
“As a globally recognised pioneer in the field, we are proud to announce today the launch of our first, live 5G network. We hope to have our first customers connected on our 5G network by the end of the year, following the delivery of the required equipment, and the whole country by 2020,” he said.
He added: “5G will bring incredible speeds. But that’s not what is going to change everything. The real change is in ultra-low latency – meaning a shorter time needed to stream data between two points. 
“In short, 5G will completely change how we experience both the real and digital worlds. It will change our lives for the better, bettering how we live and work.”

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