Syndey, May 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Just released, this edition of Paul Budde Communication’s focus report on Kuwait outlines the major developments and key aspects in the telecoms markets.
Mobile telecommunications are a driving force in Kuwait’s telecom sector
Overall Kuwait offers a dynamic telecoms sector with a strong bias towards mobile infrastructure and services. The telecoms sector has become increasingly important to Kuwait’s economy as the country looks to diversify from its reliance on oil and this is particularly pertinent given the drop in oil prices as a consequence of the COVID-19 outbreak.
5G services have become a key focus of the operators which all launched initial 5G networks in 2019. Huawei has formed various partnerships with some of the key operators to further develop 5G in Kuwait.
In 2020 the operators have also demonstrated support during the COVID-19 pandemic through various service offerings and assistance.
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.
BuddeComm notes that the outbreak of the Coronavirus in 2020 is having a significant impact on production and supply chains all around the world. During this time, the telecoms sector to various degrees is likely to experience a downturn in mobile device and ICT equipment production, while it may also be difficult for network operators to source necessary equipment or manage workflows when maintaining and upgrading existing infrastructure. Overall progress towards 5G may also be postponed or slowed down in some countries. On the consumer side, spending on telecoms services is likely to be impacted by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes. In contrast, the demand for mobile and broadband services is expected to rise, as more citizens will require online services for work, entertainment, education, tele-health and social purposes.
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.
The telecoms regulator is supportive of infrastructure sharing in Kuwait.
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 (Frmerly Kuwait Telecom Company (KTC) / Viva).
Key statistics
Country overview
Impact of Coronavirus (Covid-19)
Global implications
Economic considerations and responses
Kuwait implications
Telecommunications market
Market analysis
Competitive environment
Regional Middle East Market Comparison
Introduction
Mobile and mobile broadband penetration
Fixed and mobile broadband penetration
Regulatory environment
Historic overview
Regulatory authority
Privatisation
Infrastructure sharing
Interconnect
Mobile regulatory issues
Third mobile operator
Mobile Number Portability (MNP)
Roaming tariff reduction
Spectrum refarming for LTE
Spectrum for 5G
Mobile tower management
Mobile market
Market analysis
Mobile statistics
General statistics
Mobile broadband
Mobile infrastructure
Mobile tower sharing
5G
4G (LTE)
GSM, 3G
Other infrastructure developments
Major mobile operators
Zain Kuwait
Ooredoo Kuwait
STC (formerly Viva)
Mobile content and applications
m-banking (payments/loans)
OTT messaging services
Mobile handsets
Fixed-broadband market
Introduction and statistical overview
Historic overview
Market overview
Broadband statistics
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
e-Commerce
Start-ups
e-Banking/e-Payments
e-Health
Appendix – historic data
Glossary of abbreviations
Related reports
List of Tables
Table 1 – Top Level Country Statistics and Telco Authorities – Kuwait – 2020
Table 2 – Kuwait – GDP real growth rate and inflation – 2020 - 2021
Table 3 – Kuwait – GDP and inflation – 2014 - 2019