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The Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA) has concluded its national initiative "Everyone Connected, Everyone Engaged", launched earlier this year to mark the 160th anniversary of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). The closing activity of the initiative was held in collaboration with "Best Buddies - Qatar". The closing activity featured an inclusive visit to the Space Radio Monitoring Center (SRMC), where participants with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) engaged in interactive learning of CRA’s advanced monitoring technologies. They explored monitoring vehicles, attended live demonstrations of spectrum activities, and observed the "Al-Shaheen" drone in action, which is used to detect and address interference on radio signals. This experience offered participants valuable insights into how CRA safeguards communication signals and ensures reliability of mobile, internet, and broadcasting services in Qatar. Launched on World Telecommunication and Information Society Day, the initiative featured a series of community-focused activities, including digital safety awareness for the elderly in collaboration with Ehsan Center, in addition to initiatives empowering people with disabilities, encouraging youth to innovate in the field of Information and Communications Technology (ICT), and promoting digital culture within the community. Director of the Consumer Affairs Department at CRA Amel Salem Al Hanawi said: "The ‘Everyone Connected, Everyone Engaged’ initiative reflects CRA’s commitment to promoting digital inclusion in the State of Qatar and enabling all members of society to benefit equally from ICT services. This initiative comes as part of CRA’s strategy to develop the ICT sector and support the digital transformation journey, contributing to the ambitious goals of Qatar National Vision 2030 toward a diversified knowledge-based economy." Development and Inclusion Lead at Best Buddies Qatar Sheikha Haya Al-Thani said: "We deeply value this meaningful collaboration with the Communications Regulatory Authority, which gave our members an inspiring opportunity to explore advanced communication technologies. Beyond learning, the visit strengthened their confidence and sense of belonging, reminding us that inclusion is at the heart of every nation’s progress. At Best Buddies Qatar, we’re proud to be part of a shared vision that empowers individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to take their place in Qatar’s digital future." Best Buddies - Qatar, a non-profit organization under Qatar Social Work, works to enhance the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through programs promoting friendship, employment, and leadership. By partnering with Best Buddies, CRA ensured that the initiative not only showcased cutting-edge ICT technologies but also promoted inclusion, confidence-building, and community engagement.   

Qatar, represented by the Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA), officially announced its candidacy for the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Council for the 2027–2030 term during the opening day of the World Telecommunication Development Conference 2025 (WTDC-25), held in Baku, Azerbaijan, from Nov 17-28. Qatar is participating in the conference with a delegation led by Engineer Ahmad bin Abdulla AlMuslemani, president of CRA and Chair-Designate of the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference 2026 (PP-26).WTDC brings together governments, regulators, and industry leaders to review global progress in telecommunication development and define strategic directions for the ITU Development Sector (ITU-D). As a cornerstone event, WTDC-25 provides a key platform to address emerging challenges within the evolving digital ecosystem and to shape global policies and initiatives that promote equitable, inclusive, and sustainable growth through Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). The outcomes of WTDC serve as a key input to the discussions of the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference.In a press statement, Engineer AlMuslemani said: “Qatar’s candidacy for the ITU Council is rooted in a decades-long partnership with the ITU and a proven track record of delivery. We are committed to advancing and supporting the priorities and objectives of the ITU, promoting inclusive innovation globally, and ensuring that telecommunications services remain a fundamental human right”.Qatar’s candidacy is anchored in three strategic priorities. The first is recognising telecommunications as a fundamental human right to ensure universal access to vital information and services. The second focuses on fostering globally inclusive innovation by strengthening regional cooperation and ensuring equitable access to emerging technologies such as 5G, Artificial Intelligence (AI), quantum computing, and the Internet of Things. The third aims to advance universal and meaningful connectivity through reliable, affordable, and secure digital infrastructure that bridges the digital divide and supports inclusive growth.Qatar’s bid also reflects its broader alignment with the goals of the ITU Development Sector, including promoting affordable connectivity, enabling supportive regulatory environments, and advancing the use of ICT for sustainable development.CRA’s participation in WTDC-25 highlights its active role in global regulatory discussions, knowledge sharing, technical co-operation, and capacity building among ITU Member States, which reflects Qatar’s steadfast commitment to inclusive digital development.Qatar’s telecommunications sector continues to demonstrate global leadership, with 100% fiber-enabled broadband coverage, 5G services reaching over 96% of populated areas, and strategic investments in cloud computing, quantum research, and Arabic AI development. These achievements reinforce Qatar’s position as a reliable and capable partner in advancing the ITU’s mission of digital inclusion and innovation.

The Universal Postal Union (UPU) Regional Workshop on Operational Efficiency and E-Commerce Development (ORE3) was convened in Doha.The event was hosted by the UPU Regional Office in collaboration with the Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA) and Qatar Postal Services Company (Q-Post), as part of the plan to execute the ORE Project, as listed in the UPU Regional Development Plan 2022-25.The workshop positioned itself as a platform for reinforcing regional co-operation and sharing expertise in the areas of readiness for e‑commerce, postal innovation, and risk management mechanisms, with broader participation from representatives of postal sectors in the Arab nations.It discussed the breakthroughs made in executing the ORE Project, alongside novel methods to optimise operational and postal risk management mechanisms in national postal enterprises.The workshop was structured around two key themes, representing the fostering of capabilities among relevant operators in effectively supporting e‑commerce systems and advancing robust risk management frameworks that ensure business continuity and to provide reliable postal services capable of addressing challenges.Advanced technical topics were also addressed, including assessing the impact of ORE on postal service performance, integrating digital and financial systems to facilitate cross‑border operations, and improving monitoring and evaluation mechanisms using UPU tools such as the Global Monitoring System and the Integrated Quality of Service Reporting System.In addition, the workshop, held ahead of the upcoming UPU strategy cycle (2026-2029), is considered a concluding step in the ORE Project implemented by UPU to support member countries in advancing their operational and digital infrastructure and keeping up with rapid transformations in the e‑commerce sector.The project was laser-focused on improving operational efficiency in postal supply chains, streamlining customs clearance, and reinforcing collaboration between postal, customs, and logistical entities to ensure the provision of prompt, secure, and reliable services.The final workshop constituted a springboard for a new project, during which the outcomes achieved throughout its implementation were reviewed, in addition to the lessons learned, pending the setup of a new regional action plan for the upcoming cycle.This would contribute to the enhancement of postal and digital integration and support the pivotal role of the postal sector in developing e‑commerce and the digital economy in the Arab region.

The Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA) announced that Qatar Airways has activated Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6) within its digital infrastructure, with regulatory support from CRA, to accelerate the adoption of IPv6 across key sectors. This milestone comes as part of a comprehensive roadmap aimed at enhancing Qatar's digital readiness, aligning with the latest international standards, and meeting the requirements of the digital economy. IPv6 is the latest version of the Internet Protocol, responsible for identifying devices, connecting them, and enabling data transfer across networks. It provides an enormous number of addresses compared to previous versions, making it a pivotal element in the development of communications networks. IPv6 also supports the expansion of smart and connected services while enhancing readiness for the Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, Smart cities, and Machine-to-Machine (M2M) solutions. As the entity overseeing the IPv6 Qatar Taskforce, CRA closely monitored Qatar Airways' transition from Internet Protocol Version 4 (IPv4) to IPv6 across its networks, ensuring that the transition adhered to approved regulatory, technical, and security guidelines. This process reflects CRA's coordinating role in enhancing the integration of Qatar's national communications infrastructure. Qatar Airways executed the IPv6 transition through a well-thought-out plan, enhancing its digital readiness for future requirements and serving as a benchmark for other organizations. In this context, Director of Technical Affairs at CRA, Ali Al Suwaidi, stated: "The activation of IPv6 by Qatar Airways represents a significant milestone achievement, reflecting the close collaboration between CRA and the members of the IPv6 Qatar Taskforce. It also demonstrates Qatar Airways' readiness and the integration of its digital infrastructure, positioning it as a model within the national taskforce." Al Suwaidi further emphasized CRA's commitment to supporting all stakeholders in the transition to IPv6 through awareness-raising, technical assistance, and strengthened institutional coordination. He noted that the transition to this protocol is a strategic necessity for developing communications networks and enhancing data security, thereby enhancing the readiness of the national infrastructure and reinforcing Qatar's position as a leading digital hub, all in alignment with CRA's strategy and Qatar National Vision 2030. Qatar Airways Chief Information Officer Suhail Kamil Kadri, said: "We are delighted to collaborate with the Communications Regulatory Authority in advancing IPv6 adoption, a milestone that underscores our commitment to innovation and digital transformation. This achievement reflects our alignment with Qatar National Vision 2030 and highlights the importance of secure, resilient, and future-ready digital infrastructure. By embracing this next generation of connectivity, we set a new benchmark for sustainability and operational excellence within the aviation industry." According to data from the Asia-Pacific Network Information Centre (APNIC), Qatar has made significant progress in adopting IPv6. This advancement serves as a positive indicator, emphasizing the importance of accelerating institutional and technical adoption of IPv6 to keep pace with the evolution of digital services and enhancing the readiness of the national communications infrastructure.

Qatar, represented by the Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA), is taking part in the 28th Universal Postal Congress, organised by the Universal Postal Union (UPU) in Dubai, until Sept 19.The Qatari delegation at the event, which began on Tuesday, is led by CRA president engineer Ahmad bin Abdulla AlMuslemani.The Congress, held every four years as the UPU’s highest decision-making body, focuses on a range of strategic issues, including driving digital innovation in postal services, strengthening the sustainability of postal networks, and enhancing their readiness to meet future challenges.It also addresses the development of digital infrastructure to support cross-border e-commerce. Bringing together representatives from 192 member states, the Congress provides a platform to adopt international strategies that advance the global postal sector and to discuss key issues such as digital postal services, logistics, e-commerce, sustainability, and technical co-operation among members.As part of its active participation, Qatar will participate in the meeting of the UPU Council of Administration’s Development Co-operation and Technical Assistance Committee, which is being held during the Congress. Qatar chaired this committee over the past four years. The committee oversees the implementation of the UPU’s Global Development Strategy, aimed at building capacity and supporting postal sector growth in member states.During the meeting, the achievements of past years will be reviewed, highlighting the development activities and initiatives implemented by the UPU in co-operation with its members. The meeting will also consider lessons learned and future action plans to further strengthen the role of the postal sector as a key driver of sustainable economic and social development.AlMuslemani said: “Qatar’s participation at the Congress reflects our strong commitment to supporting international efforts to develop the postal sector and strengthen its role as a driver of sustainable economic and social development. Qatar’s chairing of the Development Cooperation and Technical Assistance Committee over the past years also reflects its leadership role in supporting the UPU’s efforts aimed at capacity building and promoting inclusivity.”“We look forward to the new UPU Strategy for 2026-2029, which will be adopted at the conclusion of the Congress, as it will define important directions for the sector in the coming period in areas such as digital innovation, the sustainability of postal networks, and support for e-commerce. These directions are aligned with CRA’s strategy, which supports the objectives of Qatar National Vision 2030, aimed at building a knowledge-based economy that supports sustainable development,” he added.