Virgin to explore expansion with Qtel in other markets

The Virgin Group has confirmed that it will explore partnering with the Qtel group in other markets, in additon to the one it launched in Qatar. Qtel is present in 17 other markets. It is interesting to note that Virgin Mobile was part of a consortium that lost out to Vodafone Group in 2007 for Qatar’s second mobile license.

The market in Qatar is small but 40 percent of the population is under 29 and 60 percent under 35, which makes it extremely lucrative for Virgin. Virgin Mobile is Virgin’s fastest growing and apparently most profitable as well, according to Branson.

Qtel was operating as a monopoly in Qatar until Vodafone launched. Qtel CEO has confirmed also that Qtel will continue to expand in SE Asia adn the MENA region to gain further ground i nthe mobile market globally.