Doha, Qatar - Qtel today announced the launch of the first phase of its ambitious portal programme, which aims to provide customers in Qatar with one of the most interactive customer service portals available.

People in Qatar increasingly want to manage their budgets and access new services over the Internet and their mobile devices, and Qtel is initiating a long-term process to upgrade and enhance its company portal in order to provide full accessibility for customers.

The first phase of the portal delivers a new range of interactive services and upgrades for customers, in-line with Qtel's Customer Charter, which provides a firm foundation of support for Qtel customers.

Waleed Al Sayed, Chief Operating Officer, Qtel, said: "With the new Portal project, we are aiming to offer our customers a new kind of interactive service that will transform their access to communication. Qtel is deploying the latest Internet technology in a long-term upgrade project, which will continue to add improvements as our customers require them."

The Qtel portal is already one of the most popular in Qatar, with thousands of unique visits every day. It was named as the Best e-Business website in the Arab World at The Arab e-Content Awards (part of the World Summit Awards) in 2009 and the new series of upgrades are designed to make it even better and easier for customers to use.

The first phase features a refreshed design and improved functionality, as well as a new community area for people to share ideas and ask questions of the Qtel team.

For customers, there will be a simplified single sign-on process, where one user name and password provides access to the full suite of Qtel services, including the customer care area, online top-up, online data calculator and the Nojoom rewards programme.

Qtel is also investing in an updated eBilling service, to replace the older eQtel service, which will provide advanced, personalised billing services online for individuals and corporate customers.

A new Tariff Calculator will enable customers to select the services that best suit their budget and their daily communication needs, while dedicated Customer Account Management will provide direct interaction with a personal advisor and account manager.

Qtel is even making it possible for customers to reserve and buy specific "Easy to Remember" numbers through an automated online process.

Customers can either directly reserve their desired ERT, or bid on a series of special online number auctions. This dual offer is one of the first times in the world that customers can access a full range of desirable, memorable numbers via the Internet.

"We have been in constant contact with our customers about the kind of services they want to see online, and the kind of support they require from Qtel. As a result, we have built these requests into the design of the new portal and will continue to add new elements into the road-map for the next phases. The Qtel portal is already one of the most-visited sites in Qatar and - with these new innovations - we are set to move the quality of online service to a new level," concluded Waleed Al Sayed.

The enhanced level of service provided by the new phase aligns with Qtel's Customer Charter, the core document that outlines the company's commitment to its customers, and the standards that every customer can expect.

The Charter includes clear commitments in terms of respect for customers, supporting the right to privacy, providing ongoing improvements in customer service, and pledging to continue to support ongoing social development in Qatar. These commitments are reflected in the design and performance of the new site.

As well as customer service elements, Qtel is also adding features to promote places of interest in Qatar. An interactive map enables people to access contact information and location directions for some of the most popular attractions across the country.

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