Qatar National Broadband Network (QNBN) recently picked up a top UK Award at the London Stock Exchange, the World Finance Award for Best innovation, Middle East 2012. The Award is annually bestowed on technology companies that demonstrate outstanding innovation and being ahead of the curve in the industry with the very latest state of the art platforms. QNBN is awarded for being one of the first initiatives for an open network funded by the government in the region.

QNBN CEO, Mohammad Al-Mannai, commented: “On behalf of QNBN it is indeed a great pleasure to accept this award for Innovation which is a key driving force behind our organization. QNBN’s aim is to empower all who live and work in Qatar through its high speed fiber optic network, creating more potential for all, as well as fueling innovation for the future.”

Al-Mannai added in an interview at the London Stock Exchange (LSE) on accepting the award: “High speed communication will have a transformational effect on all who live and work in Qatar bringing community and enterprise benefits. Fiber will play a major role in transforming the responsiveness of e-government and businesses, improving healthcare services and boosting educational development. Broadband would also enable companies in Qatar to have access to enhanced services such as the latest applications, cloud computing and video conferencing that will lessen Qatar’s carbon footprint.”

October 2012 saw QNBN sign an agreement with Ericsson at ITU Telecom World in Dubai, for the deployment of Ericsson’s Fiber Optic Solution, Fiber Cables and Central offices in Qatar’s new fiber optic network.

QNBN’s roll-out is now underway, the company having signed agreements with telecom operators Qtel and Vodafone. The new fiber network from QNBN will accelerate broadband fiber penetration in Qatar, enabling telecom operators to offer the next generation broadband services to businesses and individuals.