Page 46 - SAMENA Trends - Gitex Special 2023

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Kuwait Ranks ‘63rd’ in World in Digital Quality of Life Index

Surfshark’s 5th annual Digital Quality of
Life Index (DQL) ranks Kuwait 63rd in the
world. Out of the Index’s 5 pillars, Kuwait
performed best in internet quality, claiming
26th place, while facing challenges in
e-security, ranking 104th. The nation
ranks 35th in internet affordability, 45th in
e-infrastructure, and 66th in egovernment.
In the overall Index, Kuwait lags behind
Saudi Arabia (45th) and Qatar (48th).
In Asia, Kuwait takes 19th place, with
Singapore the leader in the region. “In
many nations, ‘digital quality of life’
has merged into the broader concept of
overall ‘quality of life’. There’s no other
way to look at it now that so many daily • Kuwaitis have to work 59 minutes e-infrastructure makes it easy for people to
activities, including work, education, and a month to afford fixed broadband use the internet for various daily activities,
leisure, are done online. That’s why it’s internet. While this is less than average, such as working, studying, shopping, etc.
crucial to pinpoint the areas in which a it is 3 times more than in Romania, which This pillar evaluates how high internet
nation’s digital quality of life thrives and has the world’s most affordable fixed penetration is in a given country, as well
where attention is needed, which is the internet (Romanians have to work 18 as its network readiness (readiness
precise purpose of the DQL Index”, says minutes a month to afford it). to take advantage of Information and
Gabriele Racaityte-Krasauske, Surfshark’s • Kuwaitis have to work 1 hour 22 Communication Technologies). Kuwait’s
spokeswoman. Kuwait’s internet quality is minutes 36 seconds a month to afford internet penetration is high (99% – 6th in
21% higher than the global average. mobile internet. This is 5 times more the world), and the country ranks 61st in
• Fixed internet averages 179 Mbps in than in Luxembourg, which has the network readiness.
Kuwait. To put that into perspective, world’s most affordable mobile internet The e-government pillar shows how
the world’s fastest fixed internet – (Luxembourgers have to work 16 minutes advanced a government’s digital services
Singapore’s – is 300 Mbps. Meanwhile, a month to afford it). Kuwait is 104th in are and the level of Artificial Intelligence
the slowest fixed internet in the world – the world in e-security. The e-security (AI) readiness a country demonstrates.
Yemen’s – is 11 Mbps. pillar measures how well a country is Kuwait’s e-government is similar to the
• Mobile internet averages 210 Mbps. The prepared to counter cybercrime, as global average. Globally, the internet is
fastest mobile internet – the UAE’s – well as how advanced a country’s data more affordable than last year.
is 310 Mbps, while the world’s slowest protection laws are. • Fixed internet is 11% more affordable
mobile internet – Venezuela’s – is In this pillar, Kuwait lags behind Saudi than last year – on average, people have
10 Mbps. Compared to Saudi Arabia, Arabia (42nd) and Qatar (67th). Kuwait is to work 42 minutes less a month to
Kuwait’s mobile internet is 15% faster, unprepared to fight against cybercrime, afford it.
while fixed broadband is 63% faster. the country has no data protection • Mobile internet is 26% more affordable
The internet is affordable in Kuwait laws. Kuwait is 45th in e-infrastructure than last year – people have to work 41
compared to other countries. and 66th in e-government. Advanced minutes less to afford it.

Pakistan Ranks 9th Globally in Mobile Connectivity with 165 million Users

In a remarkable feat for Pakistan, the nation a world increasingly interconnected by positions as the top two countries with the
has propelled itself into the global spotlight technology, the latest data on cell phone highest number of cell phone users.
by securing a spot in the top 10 rankings usage reveals that China and India have China - 1.6 billion users
of countries with the highest number of emerged as the undisputed champions of China, the most populous country in the
cell phone users. With an impressive 165 mobile communication, with a combined world, leads the pack with a staggering
million mobile phone users, Pakistan now user base of over 2.8 billion people. 1.6 billion cell phone users. With its
stands shoulder to shoulder-with global According to recent statistics, these rapid technological advancements and
giants such as China and India, showcasing two Asian giants are setting the pace for widespread access to affordable mobile
its rapid strides in mobile connectivity. In global mobile connectivity, solidifying their devices, China's mobile market has seen

46 GITEX SPECIAL 2023