As the telecommunications regulatory authority for Qatar, the Supreme Council for Information and Communications Technology (ictQATAR) welcomes the change.

The new '00' international access code will take effect starting at 2:00 am on May 21, 2007. After choice enters the market, consumers will continue to use the new code, no matter which company provides their service.

Qatar is in the process of opening its telecommunications sector to effective competition, bringing consumers better service, lower rates, and new innovation in products and services. Integral to liberalization is use of global practices for fixed and mobile networks - the new international access code is an example of such practices.

Dr Hessa, Secretary General of ictQATAR said,

'Our goal is to implement global best practices in telecommunications. We're pleased that this change in the International Access Code brings Qatar in line with most other countries around the world. The change will free up numbering resources in Qatar and will help smooth the introduction of competition into the telecommunications market.'

Qtel informed ictQATAR that it is conducting an extensive public awareness campaign to inform customers how to make necessary changes in customer premises equipment (CPE), home and office telephone memories and mobile phones and PDA's contact lists.

Consumers should use the code '00' or '+' as the access prefix for international calls from 21 May 2007 onward. Any customer who uses the previous code '0' after the change occurs should receive a message directing them to use the new access code.

Source: AMEinfo