Internet in Doha

miked42uk
By miked42uk

Hi we will be moving to Doha in the summer, what is te internet like how do you get it installed how fast is it etc any information would be good.

Mike

By MikaylasMom• 22 Jun 2009 09:46
MikaylasMom

jonboy - that was hilarious..but true! LOL

By jonboy• 22 Jun 2009 09:19
jonboy

Well, like many things in Doha, it is an excruciatingly frustrating process, Obviously this is compared to where you come from.

From a UK perspective this is the process:

Go to the Qtel shop and ask about personal internet connection. The Arab chap behind the counter will then look at you as if you have just asked him to shit on the floor. Then his phone will probably ring and he will have a personal phone conversation whilst trying to type a few things into the counter top computer. Sometimes, but not always he might stop talking to ask you a question. Be prepared though to wait until he has finished.

After the call is finished he will disappear to get the application form which you need to fill out. If he is good, and it does sometimes happen, there will be a spare application form within his reach.

Once this is filled in, with your name, address, Tenancy agreement, RP number etc.. he will process it. you need to know where you live though, so they can book the installation. I had my Qtel number from the plaque on my villa but he still couldn't find where I lived. I couldn't actually see the computer screen on the counter so maybe it was upside down. After a couple of minutes his colleague came to help, who was actually very good. He pressed one key and hey presto, it worked.

Once finished he will then probably take his mobile out and make a call and then just dismiss you with a wave of the hand. If i could have reached i would have snapped the fucking thing off.

Following this you get a text message on your mobile to tell you of the installation date and time. If you don’t have a mobile, then basically you are fucked. If this is the case you need to go back into the store to be advised. If i were you i would wait at least 3 days before returning to the store. The date is the important thing, as the time, well they can’t tell the time in Doha. I have moved twice now and each time when the say between 12.00pm and 17.00pm they mean either 10.00am or 11.20am.

You also need to draw the installation engineer a map as they have no idea how to reach you. Twice I have had to leave work and meet them to take them to the house. Unless you live in a shopping mall or on a roundabout, be prepared to drop everything in a moment’s notice and run to meet them. It’s actually not their fault as they are just employed quickly and told to go out and find the way. Doha maps do not help by the way as they are usually outdated.

Once the chap has installed the phone, you need to wait two days before it is activated. I am not sure why but this is what they said. So as i type to you now, my phone was installed yesterday and it still isn’t working. Hopefully by tomorrow it will be on.

The speed of the internet depends on how much you pay. It is extremely expensive from a UK point of view. You can have 1mb, 2mb or 5mb speed if i remember correctly. We have 2mb a phone that displays the caller’s number (although there is no instruction to tell you how this works), as it didn’t in my last house. We pay approx 700QAR per month, which when converted to UK pounds is 130 pounds per month. As a comparison our bills in the UK per around 50 pounds..

hope this helps

By Roots• 22 Jun 2009 08:50
Roots

Hello,

I moved here in beginning of May-2009. I expected that I would get the connection very next day. Long story short, a new comer needs to follow the following to get a new internet connection:

1. You need to have your Residency Permit first- it took

3 weeks for me

2. If you live in a company provided housing and you get a phone in the house , you need to request for a transfer of the ownership of the phone line to HR

3. If you have the RP, but you're not living in a company provided housing , just go to any Qtel outlet

4.If you have the RP, but you're living in a company provided housing (also the phone line) , take the transfer letter to Q-Tel office at Al-Saad and let them know that you also need an internet connection.

5. Need to wait for a week for the actual installation.You will receive an SMS

I have subscribed for 1 MBPS ADSL connection, the speed is pretty good. You can find the information about other packages here:

http://www.qtel.com.qa/ParentProdSrvcesLinks.do?idnum=6&idnum=8&prodtype=1

So, you are looking at 1 month of time frame to get connected. Good luck.

Cheers

By jonald• 22 Jun 2009 08:27
jonald

after you've submit youre DSL internet application, wait for 3 weeks before they come install it. :)

By _noms_• 22 Jun 2009 07:59
_noms_

the search box on the top right of this site actually WORKS!! use it before you take the pain to post anything.

By jailbroken114• 22 Jun 2009 07:52
jailbroken114

For a start, you have 2 options on having internet connection here in Doha. First, you can purchase a Qtel USB Modem and subscribe for mobile broadband. The other option is to apply for a DSL connection for your home. With regards to internet speed, i have no complain about it. Generally fair. Please try to visit qtel.com.qa for more information on pricing.

By galloper48• 22 Jun 2009 07:31
galloper48

Lots of reading to do

http://www.qatarliving.com/search?cx=008937172676595728955%3A066rihafv68&cof=FORID%3A11&Q=internet+in+qatar#1489

Regards

By baldrick2dogs• 22 Jun 2009 06:48
baldrick2dogs

Info on net connections can be found using the search box.

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