The Supreme Council of Information and Communication Technology (ictQATAR) released its 2010 Annual Report today, which chronicles its accomplishments through the end of 2010 and includes information about its plans for the next five years. The Annual Report outlines ictQATAR's efforts in developing a regulatory environment, improving ICT infrastructure, cultivating workforce and market growth in the ICT sector, and serving the public through ICT initiatives.
In her introductory letter in the 2010 ictQATAR Annual Report, ictQATAR Secretary General Dr. Hessa Al Jaber said, "For ictQATAR, the past year brought not only significant growth, but also tremendous maturity in all realms of the ICT market. Our numerous efforts to spur economic growth and competition, enhance public services, and enrich society for all reached significant milestones. Everyone in Qatar should feel greatly empowered by the progress we have made. I am confident we are well on our way to even more incredible advancements."
Specific accomplishments highlighted in the report include: - Development of a strategic five-year plan for Qatar's national ICT efforts - Continued liberalization of the country's telecommunications market, including the issuing of a second fixed-telecommunication license, development of a national frequency allocation plan, and ongoing consumer protection and dispute resolution efforts - Enactment of a comprehensive e-commerce law - Successful implementation of a numbering change to meet the country's growing phone number demand - Partnership with Eutelstat on plans to launch the Es'Hail satellite in 2013 to increase communications capacity in the region - Continued development of a high speed government broadband network and the development of plans for a Qatar national broadband network - Ongoing efforts to protect Qatar's essential ICT infrastructure - Establishment of a Digital Content Incubation Center to support entrepreneurship in the digital content realm - Launch of a revamped Hukoomi, Qatar's online government portal, with enhanced information and services - Establishment of Mada, Qatar's Assistive Technology Center, as a result of a public-private partnership with various entities - Increased usage of Qatar's National e-Learning Portal across various sectors and continued coordination with the Supreme Education Council on numerous e-education initiatives, including K-Net and the e-Maturity assessment tool - Launch of SafeSpace.qa, a website to help keep children safe online and undertaking of a major research project on how ICT is impacting youth in Qatar - Launch of Digital Qatar, ictQATAR's blog on the latest in ICT and hosting of a range of engagement events on the latest trends and issues in ICT, including on the future of the Internet, openness and ICT, green technology, digital media literacy and digital content rights
The 2010 ictQATAR Annual Report also includes a summary of the Regulatory Authority's financials, which is part of ictQATAR's commitment to transparency and mandated under the Telecommunications Law.
Dr. Hessa Al Jaber was also forward-looking in the report, saying, "With a strong foundation in place, we have turned our sights toward the future, including the needed preparations for Qatar's hosting of the 2022 World Cup. Though our achievements have already brought numerous benefits for both individuals and organizations, we will take bold actions in the coming years. We will lead efforts to improve access to information and increase effectiveness of public services. We will also guarantee the rollout and installation of a national, affordable, high-speed broadband network. We will work toward developing an innovative and entrepreneurial market and increase the quantity of content on the Internet—including Arabic, newly digitized, and other local material. And we will enhance the digital literacy and skills of all members of society."
Posted on: Apr 10 2011
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