Qatar’s CRA consults on a draft Universal Service Policy for basic telecoms services, with comments due by 20 October 2026

Qatar’s CRA consults on a draft Universal Service Policy for basic telecoms services, with comments due by 20 October 2026

30 September 2026 — Qatar's Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA) has launched a public consultation on a draft Universal Service Policy. The CRA says it is part of its work to enhance digital inclusion and to make sure basic telecommunications services are available "to all individuals and business sector in Qatar". Stakeholders and other interested parties are invited to send views and comments by email to uspconsultation@cra.gov.qa "no later than Tuesday, October 20, 2026". The CRA says the comments will feed into the final version of the policy.

What the draft proposes

The CRA publishes the draft through its release. TechAfrica News, reporting on 30 September 2026, summarises its main points:

• Scope: the universal service would cover "100% of permanent residences and permanent business locations".
• The service: uncapped broadband good enough for video streaming, messaging and voice over the internet, plus incoming voice calls and SMS, including one-time passwords.
• Free SIM: a user without a mobile number could ask for a free SIM for incoming calls and texts, with limited data.
• Quality: it follows the CRA's Quality of Service Regulation of December 2025: 20 Mbps down and 10 Mbps up, met in 90% of measurements in urban areas and 50% elsewhere.
• Affordability: a discounted service for low-income users, priced at no more than 2% of the national gross minimum wage. Eligibility would require earning less than three times the gross minimum wage, with proof of income given to the provider.

The deadline differs between sources. TechAfrica gives it as 8 October, but the CRA's own release says 20 October 2026, and that is the date given here.

Who should take part

• Telecom operators and resellers: they would carry the service obligations and pricing rules.
• Businesses with sites in less-served areas: they would benefit from a guaranteed baseline.
• Banks, fintechs and online services: the draft's attention to incoming SMS for one-time passwords touches services that rely on OTP delivery to reach every customer.

What to do

• Read the draft on the CRA site and send comments to uspconsultation@cra.gov.qa before 20 October 2026.
• Businesses that depend on SMS one-time passwords or on reaching customers across Qatar should check the draft's service definition against their own needs.
• Operators should assess the cost of the proposed quality thresholds and the low-income tariff.

Sources

• Communications Regulatory Authority (Qatar): CRA Launches Public Consultation on Draft Universal Service Policy — 30 September 2026
• TechAfrica News: Qatar CRA launches consultation on draft universal service policy — 30 September 2026