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Kuwait Times
a day ago
- Business
- Kuwait Times
Zain launches 5G Advanced, unlocking new horizons for Kuwait's digital economy
Achievement embodies HH the Amir's vision of to transform Kuwait into a regional hub for digital economy: Bader Al-Kharafi KUWAIT: Zain has officially launched its next-generation 5G Advanced network, delivering nationwide coverage across most of Kuwait. The rollout marks a major step forward in unlocking the full potential of the digital era and establishing a highly advanced infrastructure that supports ultra-fast internet speeds throughout the country. Zain affirmed that its 5G Advanced network was built according to the highest global standards to meet the growing demand for data services, support smart city applications, power the Internet of Things, and accommodate the evolving digital lifestyle across sectors. The launch follows the official announcement by the Communication and Information Technology Regulatory Authority (CITRA) regarding the activation of 5G Advanced in Kuwait, a milestone toward building robust digital infrastructure and laying the groundwork for the adoption of 6G technologies in the near future. Kuwait now ranks among the first countries worldwide to deploy 5G Advanced commercially, underscoring its pioneering role in adopting cutting-edge telecom technologies and enhancing its position as a forward-looking digital hub. Zain Vice Chairman and Group CEO, Bader Nasser Al-Kharafi, stated: 'This milestone reflects the directives of His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, to foster a thriving investment environment in which the ICT sector drives economic growth and positions Kuwait as a regional hub for the digital economy.' Al-Kharafi praised the extensive support from the government, particularly the efforts of the Minister of State for Communications Affairs Omar Al-Omar, and Acting Chairman of CITRA Sheikh Athbi Jaber Al-Sabah, for enabling this successful and seamless launch both technically and commercially. He continued: 'This progress places Kuwait among the first nations globally to launch 5G Advanced commercially, reinforcing the country's leadership in providing high-performance digital infrastructure. It opens vast opportunities to accelerate digital transformation, power smart services and IoT, and redefine the connectivity experience for all.' Al-Kharafi added that the launch aligns with Zain's recently announced 4WARAD strategy, which focuses on continuity, acceleration, collaboration and digital innovation: 'Through this launch, we reaffirm our commitment to meeting growing data demands, exploring new digital business models, and continuing our journey to evolve into a fully integrated technology company.' He further noted: 'We have heavily invested in upgrading our network to support the latest global advancements. We look forward to deepening our collaboration with government entities to help achieve the Kuwait Vision 2035 and place the country at the heart of the global technology revolution.' Nawaf Al-Gharabally, CEO of Zain Kuwait, commented: 'With the launch of 5G Advanced, we are contributing to a new chapter in Kuwait's digital transformation journey, an extension of Zain's longstanding efforts in national digital development since its inception in 1983.' He emphasized: 'This deployment reflects the outcomes of early investment in infrastructure, rigorous technical readiness, and successful nationwide field testing by Zain's network team, which ensured seamless coverage across most of the nation from day one.' 'This strategic move enhances Zain's proactive vision and operational excellence in delivering next-generation connectivity that meets the highest global benchmarks and offers a more advanced and reliable communications experience to the largest customer base in Kuwait.' he added. Al-Gharabally continued: 'We have strengthened our collaboration with global technology partners and leveraged our international expertise to adapt 5G Advanced in line with national priorities. We are proud to play a vital role in a leap that will benefit individuals, businesses, and the community at large.' To commemorate the launch, Al-Gharabally revealed that Zain has released a new TV commercial that reflects the human essence of technology: 'This campaign celebrates the moments that touch people's hearts and adds emotional depth to the connectivity experience.' He continued: 'The launch of this creative content aligns with our belief that technology is not solely defined by speed, but by its ability to build bridges between people and empower them to live their most wonderful moments. That is the true value we aim to deliver through 5G Advanced.' 30-Day Free Trial from Zain As part of its efforts to bring this next-generation experience to its customers, Zain is offering a free 30-day trial* of the 5G Advanced service to eligible postpaid subscribers starting 30 June until 29 July 2025. Eligible users will be automatically upgraded to the 5G Advanced network on their compatible devices at no additional cost during the offer period. To activate the service, customers can follow the simple steps provided on Zain's website and official communication channels. *Terms and conditions apply. For more information, visit A Leap in Network Capability 5G Advanced represents a significant leap in network performance, delivering much higher speeds compared to standard 5G. It is ideal for ultra-high-definition streaming, large file downloads, and lag-free online gaming, even during peak usage times. The technology also features ultra-low latency, enabling lightning-fast data transmission between devices and the cloud. This results in seamless performance for real-time applications like cloud gaming, video calls, connected vehicles, and AI-based services. Additionally, 5G Advanced offers smart bandwidth management through Component Carrier Aggregation, which allows the network to handle heavy usage efficiently without congestion or performance degradation. 'Live Your Wonderful': A Human-Centric Campaign To mark this technological milestone, Zain launched a new marketing campaign under the theme 'Live Your Wonderful', which includes a heartfelt television commercial highlighting the emotional impact of technology in our lives. The campaign takes viewers on an emotional journey through simple, everyday moments that become deeply meaningful when shared with loved ones. With 5G Advanced from Zain, these moments feel closer and more profound, perfectly reflecting the company's vision of using technology to enrich human connection. This campaign is part of Zain's ongoing efforts to connect with customers on a human level, and to spotlight how modern technology can enhance the beauty, meaning, and connectivity of daily life. Zain: A Pioneer in Tech Innovation The launch of 5G Advanced is the latest in a long line of achievements for Zain in leading Kuwait's telecom and technology sector. Since its founding in 1983 as the region's first mobile operator, Zain has consistently introduced groundbreaking technologies that shaped the local market. The company pioneered GSM services in 1994, followed by the country's first nationwide 4G LTE rollout in 2012, and became the first in the GCC to commercially launch 5G in 2019. Zain's commitment to excellence was reaffirmed in 2024 when it received five Speedtest Awards from Ookla, the global leader in network intelligence and connectivity insights. Zain won the titles of Fastest Mobile Network, Best 5G Gaming Experience, Best 5G Video Experience, Best Mobile Network, and Fastest 5G Network in Kuwait. The results were based on hundreds of thousands of consumer-initiated tests across the country during the second half of 2024, placing Zain clearly at the forefront of network performance nationwide. With this official launch, Zain Kuwait once again reaffirms its role as a leader in shaping the country's digital future, delivering innovative services that enhance customer experience and contribute to the growth of a robust digital economy. Zain remains a trusted partner in connecting Kuwait to what's next. Zain 5G Advanced 2025 Zain Kuwait HQ Building Zain Kuwait CEO Nawaf Al-Gharabally
Arab Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Arab Times
Kuwait powers ahead with 5G Advanced, paving way for 6G
KUWAIT CITY, June 29: The Communication and Information Technology Regulatory Authority (CITRA) announced, Sunday, the launch of 5G Advanced technology in Kuwait, marking a key step toward upgrading the country's digital infrastructure and preparing for future 6G deployment. In a statement to KUNA, Acting Chairman of CITRA Sheikh Athbi Jaber Al-Sabah said the new technology delivers speeds of up to 3 Gbps and low latency, representing a major advancement in the telecom sector. He noted that CITRA is working with telecom providers to create a supportive regulatory environment, enabling both public and private sectors to benefit from investment opportunities in digital infrastructure. Kuwait is among the first countries globally to adopt 5G Advanced, underscoring its leadership in embracing cutting-edge technologies and advancing its position as a regional digital hub. (KUNA)
Arab Times
24-06-2025
- General
- Arab Times
Kuwait Shuts Down Domain Services Until June 26 For Maintenance
KUWAIT CITY, June 24: The Communications and Information Technology Regulatory Authority (CITRA) announced a temporary suspension of its domain name registration system services due to planned maintenance as part of the system migration and upgrade of the unified registration portal, aimed at enhancing service quality, reports Al-Seyassah daily. CITRA explained that the suspension will affect the following services: new domain registration, domain renewal, domain transfer, contact or WHOIS data updates, and name server (NS) modifications. The suspension began at 10:00 am on Tuesday, June 24 and continues until 2:00 pm on June 26.
Kuwait Times
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Kuwait Times
Kuwait works to disaster-proof telecom sector amid tensions
Communications minister convenes meeting to ensure stability of internet, mobile and government digital services 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
Zawya
11-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
CITRA plans new regulations for telecom service distributors in Kuwait
KUWAIT CITY - The Communications and Information Technology Regulatory Authority (CITRA) has launched a major initiative aimed at regulating the operations of telecommunications service distributors in Kuwait. These distributors play a crucial role in delivering mobile and virtual communication services to the public on behalf of licensed telecom providers. This regulatory shift signals a broader move towards governance, transparency, and quality assurance in the country's telecom sector. In an official statement, CITRA confirmed that it had prepared a draft regulation titled 'Regulations for Mobile and Virtual Telecommunications Services Distributors', now open for public consultation. The step reflects CITRA's commitment to participatory policy-making and aligns with its goal of improving service standards and market efficiency amid rapid digital transformation. The Authority emphasized that no final regulatory decision will be made without gathering feedback from relevant stakeholders, including telecom operators, legal and technical experts, and current distributors. This consultative approach aims to create a regulatory environment that balances market regulation with investment encouragement and ease of doing business. Licensing requirements outlined The proposed regulation outlines several strict conditions for companies wishing to obtain a license as an 'authorized telecommunications services distributor.' These include: A valid commercial license from a legally recognized entity (LLC or joint-stock company).n A preliminary agreement with a licensed telecom operator outlining their working relationship.n At least ten operational branches within Kuwait.n Submission of detailed business and technical proposals.n Proof of compliance with the national workforce quota.n An annual non-refundable license fee of KWD 5,000 and a matching unconditional bank guarantee.n One-year license validity, renewable upon timely application. CITRA will process completed applications within 21 business days. Lack of response within this period will be interpreted as an implicit rejection. Upon approval, applicants must submit a finalized license contract. Obligations for telecom companies Mobile and virtual telecom providers are also required to meet several responsibilities under the draft regulation. They must: Work exclusively with CITRA-licensed distributors.n Integrate distributor systems directly into their transaction platforms.n Submit regular reports and audits to the Authority.n Ensure distributors are technically capable and well-trained.n Restrict service activation to post-audit approval and verify all activations are tied to actual end users.n Disclose commission structures and report any contractual or regulatory violations.n Duties of authorized distributors Authorized distributors, in turn, must adhere to all CITRA regulations. Key requirements include: Strict prohibition against subcontracting services.n Prior notification to CITRA before signing or renewing agreements with telecom companies.n Issuance of employee identification cards and system-linked user logs.n Installation of surveillance systems at sales points.n Implementation of cybersecurity measures and reporting of any breaches.n Compliance with national labor quotas and proof of employee training and qualification.n General provisions and oversight The regulation also includes general provisions governing both telecom providers and distributors. Highlights include: Shared accountability for compliance with CITRA's rules and national legislation.n Obligatory integration with CITRA-monitored systems for data registration and updates.n Authority oversight over any contractual changes, including termination or renewal.n Provision for exclusive agreements, if contractually stipulated.n CITRA as the sole authority for approving the allocation of services and products.n Mandatory submission of information requested by the Authority and compliance with regulated pricing.n CITRA emphasized that this regulatory overhaul reinforces its position as an institutionally open and professional body. The draft regulation is designed to promote fair competition, improve service quality, and foster a technologically advanced and investor-friendly telecom environment in Kuwait. The Authority invites feedback from industry participants and the public during the consultation phase before moving to finalize the regulation.
