Kuwait works to disaster-proof telecom sector amid tensions
KUWAIT: As attacks escalate between the Zionist entity and Iran, raising alarms across the Middle East, Kuwait is reinforcing its telecommunications infrastructure to ensure service continuity and national readiness. Minister of State for Communication Affairs Omar Al-Omar convened a high-level emergency meeting on Sunday, bringing together senior officials from the Ministry of Communications, the Communications and Information Technology Regulatory Authority (CITRA), and representatives from Kuwait's major telecom providers—Zain, Ooredoo, stc, and Virgin Mobile.
'This meeting is a continuation of the coordination efforts we began in recent days, in light of current regional developments,' said Al-Omar in a statement to the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA). 'Ensuring the continuity of telecom services is a top priority at this stage. We are working to enhance coordination between government agencies, service providers, and both local and international telecom companies to prepare the country for any developments or emergencies.'
The push for emergency readiness follows three consecutive days of heavy fire exchanged between the Zionist entity and Iran, sparked by an unprovoked Zionist attack on Tehran on Friday night. Strikes, which targeted military and civilian infrastructure, have killed 13 people in the Zionist entity and 128 in Iran. The escalation has raised fears of a broader regional conflict that could impact Gulf nations, including Kuwait.
Acting Undersecretary of the Ministry of Communications Mishal Al-Zaid confirmed that the ministry had 'raised its technical and field readiness' and was 'monitoring the performance of the local network and fixed-line services in real-time' with telecom partners to ensure swift response to any disruptions.
Sheikh Athbi Jaber Al-Sabah, Acting Chairman of CITRA, outlined key proactive measures taken by the authority: 'We've coordinated with global service providers to secure alternative routing paths and activated internet exchange points (IX) within Kuwait. These measures will enhance the stability of both local and international data flow and ensure uninterrupted telecom services.'
Digital government services are also part of the emergency continuity plan. Najat Ibrahim, Acting Director of the Central Agency for Information Technology (CAIT), said the agency is ensuring the 'integration of government systems to meet current demands' and confirmed that operational plans are in place to maintain services 'under all circumstances.' In essence, these steps are part of Kuwait's broader effort to disaster-proof its telecom infrastructure—ensuring the continuity of internet, mobile, and government digital services even if regional conflicts disrupt key infrastructure elsewhere.
Telecom operators affirmed their full preparedness for various scenarios, citing infrastructure resilience, upgraded emergency centers, and advanced technical support plans. 'We're committed to continuous technical and operational coordination with government entities to guarantee service continuity and rapid response to any potential outages,' said representatives from the national telecom companies. The meeting ended with an agreement to continue regular coordination sessions and issue periodic status reports to maintain confidence in the country's telecom readiness. — Agencies
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