Qatar's Communications Regulatory Authority Reduce Small Ships Radio Fees

Doha, June 30, 2016: The Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA) announced Thursday that fees for VHF Radio for small ships, and dual-band radio for hunting has been reduced from QR500 to QR100. The new fee is effective as per the cabinet approval published in the Official Gazette no. 7 dated June 15, 2016. President of CRA Mohammed Ali Al-Mannai commented on the news saying that "After a careful review of the fee structure for these particular radio spectrum licenses, we concluded that it was in the best interest of the public to reduce the fees for these two types of licenses to QAR 100." He added that the move will allow "more people to apply for and secure these licenses." Qatars 2006 Telecom Law requires that all persons operating any radio communication equipment or making use of frequencies must have a valid radio spectrum license or a radio frequency authorization from the CRA. Operation of these radios without a valid CRA license is considered illegal and the equipment can be confiscated. (QNA)