Qtel's Games site a big hit

Qtel's dedicated Beijing Olympics portal created for the Mozaic Mobile service drew more than 20,000 visitors over the course of the Games, according to figures released by Qatar's telecoms service provider.

The website, which was launched following requests from local sports enthusiasts, provided a track-side view of one of the most exciting Olympic Games, offering a mix of news, medal tallies and the latest results.

Among the most popular areas on the portal were those dedicated to Qatar's squad of 22 athletes – the largest in the country's history – as well as the running news service.

Adel Al Mutawa, Executive Director of Group Communications, Qtel, said: "People today use their mobile phones for much more than conversation. This new generation of phones enables people to access the latest news and entertainment, and Qtel continues to make the broadest variety of content available to our clients."

Such a significant response for a bespoke portal service reflects both the intense interest generated by the XXIX Olympiad in Qatar, as well as the extent to which residents are now using GPRS and 3G-enabled mobile phones to access new content.

A recent report from the Arab Advisors Group, 3G Cellular Services in the Arab World, positioned Qatar among the leading countries in the region for providing 3G cellular services.

Reflecting the strong interest in sport in Qatar, Qtel has extended its Unlimited Live TV service for Mozaic Mobile to include the Al Kaas Qatar sports channel.