Q-Telecom
Encyclopedia
Q-Telecom was the fourth mobile telephony
provider in Greece
. It began operation in June 2002.
As of 2008, it called itself "Q" and called its services "MyQ."
The company provided GSM phone service, supported by LMDS
and backbone networks, and
called itself the only complete and integrated telecom provider in Greece.
In May 2007, it merged with WIND Hellas, which was known at the time as TIM Hellas.
As of 2008, the "Q-Telecom" brand was used only for the prepaid Q-card and the Ya! calling card.
: 202-09) was initially a division of Info-Quest.
It billed itself as the first private Greek operator to provide combined mobile and fixed telephony
as well as Internet service.
Focusing on large urban centers, it developed a second-generation mobile telephony network and a broadband fixed wireless access network, point-to-multipoint, operating in the 3.5 GHz band.
It also developed a national leased line
and privately owned transmission network.
Q-Telecom was directly connected to the Hellenic Telecommunication Organization (OTE) and the three other mobile operators.
It advertised high-quality voice services, a high call switching transfer rate, and pan-Hellenic coverage.
It combined mobile telephony services with the prefix 699 (prepaid and postpaid), SMS
, and fixed telephony via the carrier selection code 1765. The company billed itself as providing customized services, per second billing, no set-up fees, mobile number selection, preferential rates with Q-Family, the lowest tariff rate for SMS, and added value services.
Troy Communications already owned the third largest Greek mobile phone provider WIND Hellas, which was known as TIM Hellas until 5 June 2007.
When the acquisition was complete in October 2006, Q-Telecom subscribers were able to use WIND GR's (at that time TIM GR) network for national roaming.
WIND Hellas and Q-Telecom were later acquired by Weather Investments
.
Postpaid customers were offered new WIND Hellas SIM cards, retaining their old numbers.
Existing Q-card customers continued to use their Q-Telecom SIM cards, although technically they were "roaming" on the WIND Hellas network.
New Q subscribers were given SIM cards that appeared to be Q-cards, although Wind Hellas (MNC
: 202 10) was their home carrier.
The radio network of Q-Telecom (MNC
: 202 09) was disbanded in May 2007. Q-Telecom's bands are currently used by Wind Hellas on its radio network (MNC
: 202 10).
Q-Telecom employees became WIND Hellas employees.
The only part of Q-Telecom that remains in operation is its former marketing division, which is dedicated to the promotion of the Q-card brand name.
It is used mainly by students and young people, and for international calls by tourists and people from other countries living in Greece.
Ya means two things in Greek: Γεια means "hello" and για means "for", so the card's slogans are "Say Hello", "For everyone", "For (calls to) all over Greece and the world".
The ads contained small cartoon characters (the "Q-ies" or "Q-δάκια" in Greek) that resembled the company's logo. They used slang to promote the company's offers and slogans, such as "no fixed fees".
Mobile phone
A mobile phone is a device which can make and receive telephone calls over a radio link whilst moving around a wide geographic area. It does so by connecting to a cellular network provided by a mobile network operator...
provider in Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
. It began operation in June 2002.
As of 2008, it called itself "Q" and called its services "MyQ."
The company provided GSM phone service, supported by LMDS
LMDS
LMDS may refer to:*Los Mismos De Siempre - Abbreviated as LMDS, is fans of La Renga*Local Multipoint Distribution Service, abbreviated as LMDS, being microwave signals to transmit voice, video, and data signals for short distances...
and backbone networks, and
called itself the only complete and integrated telecom provider in Greece.
In May 2007, it merged with WIND Hellas, which was known at the time as TIM Hellas.
As of 2008, the "Q-Telecom" brand was used only for the prepaid Q-card and the Ya! calling card.
Company profile
Q-Telecom (former Mobile Network CodeMobile Network Code
A Mobile Network Code is used in combination with a Mobile Country Code to uniquely identify a mobile phone operator/carrier using the GSM/LTE, CDMA, iDEN, TETRA and UMTS public land mobile networks and some satellite mobile networks...
: 202-09) was initially a division of Info-Quest.
It billed itself as the first private Greek operator to provide combined mobile and fixed telephony
Telephone
The telephone , colloquially referred to as a phone, is a telecommunications device that transmits and receives sounds, usually the human voice. Telephones are a point-to-point communication system whose most basic function is to allow two people separated by large distances to talk to each other...
as well as Internet service.
Focusing on large urban centers, it developed a second-generation mobile telephony network and a broadband fixed wireless access network, point-to-multipoint, operating in the 3.5 GHz band.
It also developed a national leased line
Leased line
A leased line is a service contract between a provider and a customer, whereby the provider agrees to deliver a symmetric telecommunications line connecting two or more locations in exchange for a monthly rent . It is sometimes known as a 'Private Circuit' or 'Data Line' in the UK or as CDN in Italy...
and privately owned transmission network.
Q-Telecom was directly connected to the Hellenic Telecommunication Organization (OTE) and the three other mobile operators.
It advertised high-quality voice services, a high call switching transfer rate, and pan-Hellenic coverage.
It combined mobile telephony services with the prefix 699 (prepaid and postpaid), SMS
Short message service
Short Message Service is a text messaging service component of phone, web, or mobile communication systems, using standardized communications protocols that allow the exchange of short text messages between fixed line or mobile phone devices...
, and fixed telephony via the carrier selection code 1765. The company billed itself as providing customized services, per second billing, no set-up fees, mobile number selection, preferential rates with Q-Family, the lowest tariff rate for SMS, and added value services.
Acquisitions and eventual merger into WIND Hellas
Troy Communications announced its plan to acquire Q-Telecom in 2005 for a cash consideration of €325 million and the assumption of existing indebtedness of €25 million.Troy Communications already owned the third largest Greek mobile phone provider WIND Hellas, which was known as TIM Hellas until 5 June 2007.
When the acquisition was complete in October 2006, Q-Telecom subscribers were able to use WIND GR's (at that time TIM GR) network for national roaming.
WIND Hellas and Q-Telecom were later acquired by Weather Investments
Weather Investments
Wind Telecom S.p.A. , is a privately held telecommunications investment company previously 97% controlled by the Sawiris family Wind Telecom S.p.A. (former Weather Investments S.p.A), is a privately held telecommunications investment company previously 97% controlled by the Sawiris family Wind...
.
Postpaid customers were offered new WIND Hellas SIM cards, retaining their old numbers.
Existing Q-card customers continued to use their Q-Telecom SIM cards, although technically they were "roaming" on the WIND Hellas network.
New Q subscribers were given SIM cards that appeared to be Q-cards, although Wind Hellas (MNC
Mobile Network Code
A Mobile Network Code is used in combination with a Mobile Country Code to uniquely identify a mobile phone operator/carrier using the GSM/LTE, CDMA, iDEN, TETRA and UMTS public land mobile networks and some satellite mobile networks...
: 202 10) was their home carrier.
The radio network of Q-Telecom (MNC
Mobile Network Code
A Mobile Network Code is used in combination with a Mobile Country Code to uniquely identify a mobile phone operator/carrier using the GSM/LTE, CDMA, iDEN, TETRA and UMTS public land mobile networks and some satellite mobile networks...
: 202 09) was disbanded in May 2007. Q-Telecom's bands are currently used by Wind Hellas on its radio network (MNC
Mobile Network Code
A Mobile Network Code is used in combination with a Mobile Country Code to uniquely identify a mobile phone operator/carrier using the GSM/LTE, CDMA, iDEN, TETRA and UMTS public land mobile networks and some satellite mobile networks...
: 202 10).
Q-Telecom employees became WIND Hellas employees.
The only part of Q-Telecom that remains in operation is its former marketing division, which is dedicated to the promotion of the Q-card brand name.
Ya! telephone card
The Ya! prepaid telephone scratch card allows calls to be made from residential or public phones.It is used mainly by students and young people, and for international calls by tourists and people from other countries living in Greece.
Ya means two things in Greek: Γεια means "hello" and για means "for", so the card's slogans are "Say Hello", "For everyone", "For (calls to) all over Greece and the world".
TV and radio campaigns
Q-Telecom was known in Greece for its publicity campaign on both TV and radio.The ads contained small cartoon characters (the "Q-ies" or "Q-δάκια" in Greek) that resembled the company's logo. They used slang to promote the company's offers and slogans, such as "no fixed fees".