Kuwait - Telecoms, Mobile and Broadband - Statistics and Analyses
Kuwait continues 5G development
Kuwait has one of the highest mobile penetration rates in the world. To capitalise on this; the operators are building extensive LTE networks, developing 5G and introducing mobile broadband content and services.
The existence of this substantial mobile infrastructure places Kuwait in good stead to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the evolution to 5G. In 2019 we saw 5G developments accelerate in Kuwait with the operators beginning to formulate offerings around 5G service packages and devices.
While Kuwait’s mobile sector shows considerable progress; the country’s fixed broadband penetration is one of the lowest in the region. The Kuwaiti government is however focusing on building fixed broadband networks and ultimately this sector offers a potential future growth opportunity for both the operators and government. Improvements to the fixed broadband infrastructure will assist to grow markets such as e-commerce, along with smart infrastructure development, start-ups and M2M.
This BuddeComm report provides extensive information on Kuwait’s telecoms market and provides key industry statistics as well as information and insights relating to fixed and mobile infrastructure, subscribers, regulations and major players.
Key developments:
Zain Kuwait established a Sale and Leaseback arrangement for its mobile towers with IHS Holding Limited in February 2020.
VIVA Kuwait became rebranded as STC (Kuwait) in late 2019.
The three major operators of Zain Kuwait, STC (VIVA Kuwait) and Ooredoo are all offering LTE services as well as exploring 5G opportunities.
There is a high ownership of smart phones in Kuwait.
Improvements to fibre-broadband infrastructure are underway.
Companies covered in this report include:
Mobile Telecommunications Co (MTC) / Zain, Ooredoo Kuwait, STC (Formerly Kuwait Telecom Company (KTC) / Viva).
Table of Contents
Key statistics
Country overview
Telecommunications market
Market analysis
Competitive environment
Regulatory environment
Historic overview
Regulatory authority
Privatisation
Infrastructure sharing
Interconnect
Fixed network operators
Ministry of Communications
Telecommunications infrastructure
Overview of the national telecom network
Fibre networks
International infrastructure (satellite, submarine)
Submarine cable networks
Satellite communication
Smart infrastructure
IoT
Smart grids
Fixed broadband Market
Introduction and statistical overview
Historic overview
Market overview
Broadband statistics
Digital economy
e-Commerce
Start-ups
e-Banking/e-Payments
e-Health
Digital Media
Video-streaming
Music-streaming
VoIP
Mobile Market
Market analysis
Mobile statistics
General statistics
Mobile broadband
Mobile infrastructure
Mobile tower sharing
5G
4G (LTE)
GSM, 3G
Other infrastructure developments
Mobile regulatory issues
Third mobile operator
Mobile Number Portability (MNP)
Roaming tariff reduction
Spectrum refarming for LTE
Spectrum for 5G
Mobile tower management
Major mobile operators
Zain Kuwait
Ooredoo Kuwait
STC (formerly Viva)
Mobile content and applications
m-banking (payments/loans)
OTT messaging services
Mobile handsets
Appendix – historic data
Related reports
List of Tables
Table 1 – Top Level Country Statistics and Telco Authorities – Kuwait – 2019
Table 2 – Kuwait – GDP and inflation – 2014 - 2019
Table 3 – Kuwait - fixed lines in service and teledensity - 2009 – 2019
