Connectivity — Qatar
What travelers need to know about connectivity in Qatar. What is legal at home can be a serious crime here — each rule links to its official source.
Connectivity in Qatar: restricted — there are real limits travelers must follow.
Leave signal jammers and boosters at home, and get a CRA licence before bringing a satellite phone, two-way radio or drone transmitter. Operating wireless equipment without a licence carries up to 1 year in prison and QR 20,000 - and the court must confiscate the device.
Acquiring, installing or operating wireless telecommunications equipment without a CRA licence: imprisonment up to 1 year and a fine up to QR 20,000 (Telecommunications Law No. 34 of 2006 as amended by Law No. 17 of 2017, Art. 68); 2 to 5 years where the purpose is violating national security. The court must order confiscation of the equipment in all cases. Intentionally intercepting or interfering with radio waves intended for others: imprisonment up to 1 year and/or a fine up to QR 50,000 (Art. 66). Penalties double for a repeat offence within three years (Art. 72).
§ State of Qatar, Communications Regulatory Authority - Telecommunications Law promulgated by Decree-Law No. (34) of 2006, as amended by Law No. (17) of 2017, Articles 66, 68 and 72 (official English consolidated text published by the CRA). Customs gate from CRA "Custom Clearance", cra.gov.qa/en/Services/Telecommunications/Spectrum-Management/Custom-Clearance.