Page 121 - SAMENA Trends - Jan-Mar 2024

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Kuwait

Assistant Undersecretary of the Ministry of Information for technology that had been tested in Kuwait. "Soon, we will work out
Media Services and New Media Sector, Saad Al-Azmi, announced agreements to operate this technology as we had done previously
the launch of the new digital platform (51) on May 12, which with respect of G5 and G4 technologies." he revealed. On Security
will integrate all of the Ministry’s content digitally. Al-Azmi’s concerns, he indicated that the National Cybersecurity Center
statement came during a press conference held to announce was activated a few months ago, affirming CITRA's support for
the details of the platform and its launch, which will coincide efforts to protect clients' data. Moreover, he affirmed necessity of
with the anniversary of the launch of Kuwait Radio on May 12, laws and legislation for facing such challenges. "Cyber criminals
1951, in cooperation with Fasttelco. He stressed that the team make use of loopholes in the social media and communications
will persist in their efforts until the upcoming launch, ensuring to launch their attacks thus new strategies are needed to confront
diverse content, including Ramadan programs, on Kuwait TV’s such crimes," he added. Meanwhile, Yi expressed satisfaction
digital platform until the transition to the new platform (51), for expanding the cooperation with CITRA and elevating the
whose goal is to embrace modern media technologies. Al-Azmi competition ability in the sector of information technology and
described the platform as a gateway to innovative digital content, communications in Kuwait as well as boosting the national digital
transcending traditional methods and offering effortless access economy. Enhancing the digital economy is necessary to create a
to television and radio content. It enables users to enjoy timeless dynamic and competitive market, Yi said, also noting the need for
archival pieces and live broadcasts of all Kuwait TV channels sponsoring the culture of innovation at this level. Furthermore, he
and radio stations. Emphasizing its family-friendly design, he underlined the need for developing infrastructures of future smart
highlighted adherence to Ministry of Information regulations and towns as a pivotal issue for attaining neo-Kuwait vision 2035.
the platform’s reflection of Kuwaiti cultural values and creativity (March 8, 2024) www.kuna.net.kw
in media, art, awareness, sports, and drama. It is projected to
generate a substantial return of KD 5.050 million over five years, Communications and Information Technology Regulatory
along with 10 percent of net advertising profits and subscriptions. Authority (CITRA) called on mobile and fixed subscribers to update
Additionally, the Ministry will retain ownership of its archive their data to ensure the continuity of their access to services
and trademark, ensuring control over platform content. On her from companies. The Manager of the Competition and Operators
part, Nouf Al-Mashaan, representing Fasttelco, emphasized the Affairs Department at the authority, Khaled Al-Qarawi told KUNA
significance of collaboration between the private and government that the registration list of subscribers to communication services
sectors in advancing services. Leveraging their technical expertise were obliged all licensed companies to urge their customers to
and infrastructure, she highlighted their leadership position update their expired personal data and information registered
in delivering an unparalleled media experience. Al-Mashaan with the companies. Al-Qarawi emphasized the importance of
noted that their project opens doors to Kuwait’s rich visual maintaining the continuity of service to subscribers during the
and audio archive, accessible worldwide, promoting not only update phase, adhering to protocols set by mobile and virtual
Kuwait’s history and culture but also the Arabic language. She telecommunications providers. He emphasized the significance
expressed pride in cooperating with the Ministry of Information of public awareness of the registration list for mobile and fixed
and other government agencies, underscoring their commitment telecommunications services on the TRA website and urged them
to exploring opportunities for a prosperous media future aligned to avoid fraud. (February 5, 2024) www.kuna.net.kw
with a common vision. (March 12, 2024) www.kuwaittimes.com
Kuwait’s Public-Private Partnership Projects Authority, in
The Chairperson of Kuwait Communication and Information collaboration with the Ministry of Communications (MoC), has
Technology Regulatory (CITRA) has affirmed significance of invited local and international companies and consortiums to
a memorandum of understanding (MoU) CITRA has recently submit qualification applications for a major fixed telecoms
inked with Huawei. Omar Al-Omar, in a statement, said the network development project. The process seeks to establish
MoU is crucial for boosting CITRA's strategic initiatives, digital ‘a collaborative venture between the public and private sectors
innovation and skills, pushing forward the digital economy and with the overarching goal of enhancing fixed networks’, and
developing infrastructures of future smart cities. Al-Omar said encompasses various facets including the design, financing,
the MoU he had signed with Steven Yi, President of Huawei construction, operation, maintenance, and transfer of ownership
Middle East and Central Asia, recently in Barcelona, Spain, of new fixed infrastructure, whilst the chosen bidder will also be
aims at enhancing mutual cooperation and contributing to the handed the responsibility of operating the existing fixed network
development of information and communications in Kuwait. currently operated by the MoC, with a focus on its improvement
Kuwait is currently "considered the top in the world with respect and expansion of high speed broadband services into additional
of phones' operations." Al-Omar said, noting widespread usage regions. The existing Kuwaiti telecoms operators are excluded
of state-of-art technologies and the reasonable prices in the from the tender. Through a formal agreement with the MoC
country. Huawei provides "adequate solutions" to the operators (alternatively referred to as the Ministry of Transportation),
and meet all their needs, he said, alluding in particular to the G5.5 the winning bidder will undertake the modernization and

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