Doha                                                                                                                                                                                                       27 Aug. 2018

Vodafone Qatar launched it's first live G5 network  this evening of Monday 27th August 2018 in presence of Jassim bin Saif Al Sulaiti, Minister of Transport and Communications of State of Qatar and other senior officials from various walks of life.

Sheikh Hamad Abdulla Jassim Al Thani , CEO, Vodafone Qatar describing this major landmark in bringing 5G to Qatar said “Today we have laid down a very clear marker in shaping our country’s future. This trans-formative technology has the potential to touch all walks of life, improving it for each and every one of us. Qatar is focused on the future, and we are fast becoming one of the most digitally connected countries on the planet. There’s no business better placed to move further or faster in delivering this.”

He aid out the business’ vision for how 5G will accelerate Qatar’s journey towards becoming one of the most technologically advanced countries in the world. He also highlighted the trans-formative potential of 5G in changing how we all connect to people and things around us forever.

Diego Camberos, COO, Vodafone Qatar showcased a number of potential applications of 5G technology, explaining how these will improve the lives of the country’s residents and support Qatar’s progress.

With the Middle East’s first World Cup coming to Qatar in 2022, Camberos outlined the vision for how Vodafone’s 5G network will deliver the ultimate experience for millions of sports fans watching and sharing the action live in person, or accessing it via uninterrupted, super-fast connectivity.

The positive potential of 5G for the transportation sector was also explained, with 5G enabling sophisticated communication between vehicles, traffic management and coordination, advanced driver assistance, and ultimately fully autonomous self-driving.

With the huge strides that Qatar has made in the drive to be self-sufficient, it was explained how 5G will  accelerate in areas like industries, Transport, Healthcare sector to Agricultural sector. Vodafone COO said that  5G will monitor, track and automate systems at lightning fast speed, support the development of smart-farming and allow farmers to better measure things on a day-to-day basis remotely.

On the occasion, to showcase what can be achieved with 5G’s ultra-low latency, the event included a faultless performance by the world’s first-ever 5G orchestra made up of five leading musicians in different locations performing music together that was perfectly synchronized thanks to the technology. And in another first for Qatar, attendees were entertained throughout the event by a digital Master of Ceremonies.

With roll out now well underway, Vodafone Qatar expects to connect its first customers when 5G devices are available. In achieving this ambition, it is building on a long-established track-record of innovation.

The business is leveraging the expertise of its international peers to deploy 5G capabilities in the country.  International Vodafone offices across the globe are currently working to completely revolutionise the way people work and live by transforming the internet. From conducting trials to leading research groups, the converged digital services provider is world-leading on the development of 5G, having completed the world’s first 5G call earlier this year.