Some five and a half months after launching 4G LTE mobile internet in Qatar, state-backed telecom company Ooredoo has enabled the service for smartphones.

Officially launched today, the service now also allows prepaid and postpaid Ooredoo customers without an unlimited internet subscription to purchase a monthly “4G key” for QR60.

The key allows users to access the 4G network at Ooredoo’s standard data rates, as long as you are on a “Shahry” postpaid plan, or have subscribed to either a weekly pack or mobile internet pack for prepaid “Hala” customers. Hala customers can pay for the key at a weekly QR15 rate.

Previously the high speed internet service only worked through a USB device or standalone 4G modem. 

The company boasts 4G LTE network speeds are three to six times faster than the existing 3G mobile internet speeds.

Ooredoo’s sole competitor in the country, Vodafone Qatar, has previously said it plans to role out 4G service to its customers next year.

Notably, not all smartphones are compatible with Oooredoo’s 4G LTE network, including some of the most popular brand: Apple iPhones, BlackBerry and Samsung phones. But a number of HTC, Sony Xperia and Nokia Lumia devices work on the supported 800mhz and 2600mhz network bands.

To activate the service, users can SMS “4G” to 114 for postpaid or 121 for prepaid.

Who’s tried it? What do you think?

Credit: Photo by Gazanfarulla Khan