Mobile Phones and SIM cards in Qatar: In today’s era, life seems incomplete without mobile phones and when you go to another country, the need that is first felt is a local mobile SIM. So that you can talk to the family, run the internet and do other things they need.
If you are going from India to Qatar, then it is very important for you to know how and where there will be a SIM, which plans are there, will your Indian mobile run or you will have to buy new? Let us understand all the things related to Qatar, SIM and phone.
How is the mobile network in Qatar?
The GSM network runs in Qatar, that is, in the same way in India. This means that if your phone supports GSM and is unlocked (there is no lock from any one network), then you can put Qatar SIM in it and run comfortably.
Qatar also has 3G, 4G and now 5G. 5G is currently limited to the city of Doha, but is spreading rapidly.
Which mobile companies are in Qatar?
There are only two mobile service provider in the Qurris. First Ooredoo, it is the largest company in this country and their network runs well everywhere. And the second is Vodafone Qatar This is the same international Vodafone company, which was also present in India too. Both companies offer both prepaid and postpaid SIM card service.
How to take SIM after reaching Qatar from India?
As soon as you land on the Hamad internet of Qatar, you will find the counters of Ooredoo and Vodafone there. There you can take Visitor SIM by showing your passport. To take this sim, it is very important to have a passport, Qatar Visa or Entry Stamp or Qatar ID.
What will be found after taking SIM?
If you get Visitor Sim (in QR35) of Ooredoo, then you will be given 25 local minutes, 25 international minutes, 250MB data, whose validity will be 7 days. However, after 7 days, you can recharge it and move it forward.
On the other hand, if you want a SIM of Vodafone, then you can take this SIM online or from the mall. The prepaid plans of this SIM (starting with QR35) provide different plans up to the balance of calls, data and SMS, QR500.
Postpaid vs prepaid: What would be right?
If you are going for a few weeks or months, such as a tourist visa or short term trip, then it would be better to take prepaid sim because they are cheap and can be recharged or closed whenever they want. But if you are going for a job or for a long time, then it will be more beneficial to take a plan with postpaid, because they provide more internet, international calling and roaming facilities, as well as they prove to be more economical for a long time.
The Qatarna plan of Ooredoo is good for those who feel the need for features like international calls and roaming data while staying in Qatar. It contains options ranging from QR380 to QR850 per month, which includes unlimited local data, calls and SMS. At the same time, the unlimited 5G plan of Vodafone is available from QR300 to QR750/Month, in which the facility of using internet in flight also. International calling and special benefits such as gales parking include, which makes it a premium and convenient option.
How to ask for online sim?
If you want to take a SIM before reaching Qatar, then you can book SIM online. You can choose the plan by visiting the website of Ooredoo, enter your name and passport number, select the SIM number and then choose the option of pickup from delivery or airport. At the same time, after filling the form on Vodafone Qatar’s website, the company’s agent will contact you and you will have to provide documents. After this, you can get the SIM through delivery or pickup from the mall.
Can also buy mobile phones
If you do not have a GSM supported unlocked phone, then you can also buy a new phone from Qatar. The most Samsung phones are sold here, followed by Xiaomi, Huawei and then iPhone.
How are Qatar’s mobile numbers?
- Every mobile number is of 8 digits
- Ooredoo Numbers: 33, 44, 55 or 66 start
- Vodafone numbers: Starts from 77
- To call from India one has to install +974 (eg: +974xxxxxxxx)