While it may be commonplace to observe that information and communications technologies (ICT) have shaped a new world, the fact of the matter remains that these technologies have indeed, facilitated greater access to information, stimulated economic development, enhanced opportunities and enabled governments to become more transparent and accountable. More tangibly speaking, ICT is educating more students which historically have been beyond the reach of traditional institutional education; broad, precise and up-to-date patient information can be reached by more doctors; businesses are able to serve more customers uniquely, efficiently and with optimized productivity; sports enthusiasts watch live broadcasts of games all over the world and may even chat with their favorite athletes; and families separated by work or travel remain connected in real time. This list can go on and on… ICT is quickly becoming such an inherent and integral part of contemporary life that its exhaustive list of advantages is perhaps innumerable. Today, this is certainly a daily reality in Qatar, where a well-structure and planned national ICT agenda is underway.

By Royal Decree in 2004, Qatar’s Supreme Council of ICT (ictQATAR) was formed with a clear and authoritative mandate as both regulator and an enabler of Qatar’s ICT sector. In May of 2005, His Highness and Heir Apparent of Qatar Sheikh Tammim Bin Hamad Al-Thani unveiled ictQATAR’s vision and mission with the further directive “to create an advanced information-based society that will improve the life of everyone in Qatar and will enhance the social and economic development of the country”. As such, its main responsibilities include drafting telecommunications-related legislation and regulations as well as defining, maintaining and prosecuting a national ICT vision, strategy and masterplan aimed at enabling the socio-economic development of the nation.

ictQATAR’s starting point was to build the ICT strategic plan in sync with the socio-economic development goals in the State of Qatar. The in-going hypothesis was that each of these plans plays a complementary and indispensable role. As a result, the Council engaged into a focused dialogue with institutions in the public and private sectors that have direct input, contribution, and influence on the development of ICT. The Council was also in a privileged position to build on the learning from other national-level initiatives in developed and developing economies to fast-track ICT growth. This process led to the development of ictQATAR’s strategy, summarized below and is has come to be known by the acronym FIRST:

FOSTER ENVIRONMENT Develop the market conditions, infrastructure and supporting legal and regulatory framework most conducive to ICT development.

INCREASE READINESS Build awareness and reduce barriers to use of ICT by citizens, businesses, and government agencies.

RAISE USAGE Increase Internet usage among citizens, businesses and government agencies through targeted government policies to provide incentives and support the development of compelling content.

SUSTAIN IMPACT Continuously gauge progress, measure impact, and refine initiatives accordingly.

TARGET EARLY RESULTS Prioritize initiatives and secure quick-wins to sustain the momentum and support.

Vision
ictQATAR is the policy making and regulatory body for information and communication technology in Qatar.