Qatar's telecom operator Qtel has begun testing of its 4G LTE network, company announced today. Qtel plans to launch LTE service commercially in the end of 2012. Operator started to rollout its 4G LTE network earlier this year and is confident that it will integrate smoothly with the existing 3G network. With the launch of the test phase, a group of Qtel customers throughout Doha will test the 4G LTE network using the latest 4G devices. 

As part of the build-up phase, Qtel has installed 100 antennas throughout Doha, including in The Pearl, Katara, West Bay, the Corniche, and Sealine. Earlier, Qtel received the 800 Mhz and 2,600 Mhz bandwidth frequencies from the Supreme Council of Information and Communication Technology (ictQATAR).

After the trial, Qtel will launch its LTE network to all customers starting in Doha. Customers will need to upgrade their mobile devices so that they are compatible with the 4G LTE network.