Qatar Telecom (Qtel) Q.S.C.

Dont know whether you have read about this and if it will be implemented. If so, imagine the mayhem it will cause!

Warning!

January 2009
Cheques made payable at a future date could land you in prison. As from 13th May 2010, in Qatar, cheques which are post dated may be presented for payment earlier than the date specified on the cheque.

This change will have important and far-reaching consequences in Qatar. Drawers of cheques will no longer be able to rely on their cheques being "cashed" from a future date.

They will be able to be presented for payment anytime after they are handed to the payee. The banks will be required to pay the cheques on presentment.

Qtel is providing bonus international call minutes and bonus SMS with every Hala top-up worth QR30 or more.
Starting tomorrow, customers topping up their account will not only get the standard credit bonus that comes with Hala top-ups, they will also get bonus international SMS and minutes, a company spokesman said.
The number of bonus international minutes provided will rise with the higher value of Hala top-ups, so that customers can get as many as 61 international call minutes to reach out to people anywhere in the world, any time.

The Supreme Council of Information and Communications Technology (ictQATAR) today announced the issuing of the Telecommunications Executive By-Law No. (1) of 2009, published in the Qatari Official Gazette and effective from 26 July 2009.

The Telecommunications Executive By-Law includes regulatory procedures, rules and instructions that must be followed by telecommunications service providers in Qatar, including licensees such as Qatar Telecom (QTel) QSC and Vodafone Qatar QSC.

ictQATAR continues its series of consumer tips, on a variety of telecom issues.

Fixed Line Phone Services
Your Right to a Fixed Telephone Service

Many people and businesses rely on fixed line phones also known as landlines'. Fixed phone lines are often considered to be the most consistently reliable way of communicating with others by phone.
Licenced fixed network service providers are required by law to provide the following fixed line phone services at your request:
• local, national and international calls
• 24-hour access to the emergency call service number
• operator assisted services
• itemised billing.

Some guy from Qtel got in touch with me. I thought I should drop his statements here, just in case anyone might find them useful.

With regards something I "retweeted" on twitter about Qtel blocking SIPS-based voice-over-IP:

For information, Qtel isn’t blocking access to VOIP services provided by others. There are a few cases in Qatar where VOIP clients are using more bandwidth than is available on people’s ADSL service or can be handled by international connections. These services have also caused a few other sites to have access issues, but – while I understand why people might think that – Qtel is not responsible for these access issues.

ictQATAR continues its series of consumer tips, on key telecom issues.

Mobile Premium Rate Services

The ability to download ring tones, games and music, enter competitions and check the latest sports scores can be a fun part of owning a mobile phone.

These mobile extras, offered from numbers starting with '900', are often called 'premium rate services'. They generally cost more than a standard SMS or mobile phone call (sending and receiving a message). Mobile extras are usually listed separately on your phone bill as 'information services' or 'premium services'.

Complaints about Premium Rate Services
ictQATAR has received complaints from consumers about premium rate services. Problems we hear include:
• 'Free' ring tones are not free