Latest news with #CommunicationsandInformationTechnologyRegulatoryAuthority
Kuwait Times
19-05-2025
- Business
- Kuwait Times
Kuwait accelerates digital transformation with strategic partnership with Microsoft
Kuwait accelerates digital transformation with strategic partnership with Microsoft Minister emphasizes on establishing a comprehensive digital infrastructure KUWAIT: Minister of State for Communications Affairs Omar Al-Omar reaffirmed on Monday the government's commitment to advancing digital transformation and fostering innovation across public services, through the strategic partnership with global technology giant Microsoft. Speaking during a high-level meeting with Microsoft Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer Judson Bezek Althoff, Al-Omar emphasized Kuwait's steady progress towards establishing a comprehensive digital infrastructure. He highlighted the country's focus on improving the quality of government services, attracting investments, and cultivating an innovation-driven environment. Al-Omar noted that a key outcome of the partnership is the empowerment of national talent through specialized training programs in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and emerging technologies. These efforts, he said, will enhance the role of Kuwaiti professionals in leading the country's shift towards a competitive and sustainable digital economy. Acting Chairman of the Communications and Information Technology Regulatory Authority (CITRA) Sheikh Athbi Jaber Al-Sabah echoed these sentiments, describing the launch of the AI-powered data centers project, in collaboration with Microsoft, as a cornerstone of Kuwait's digital future. He underscored CITRA's role in facilitating coordination between government entities and global partners, particularly Microsoft, to establish and operate cutting-edge data centers. These centers, Sheikh Athbi said, will support national ambitions in digital transformation by offering high-capacity computing infrastructure essential for AI-based services. Microsoft's Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, Judson Bezek-Althoff, delivers a video presentation at the meeting. Acting Director General of KUNA Mohammad Al-Mannai is pictured with Deputy Head of the Financial Investigation Unit Yousef Al-Omar and Deputy CEO of Project Management at Kuwait Oil Company Fahad Al-Kharqawi during the meeting. A view of the attendees during the meeting of Minister of State for Communications Affairs Omar Al-Omar with the Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer of Microsoft. The Authority, he added, has already allocated suitable lands and coordinated with various ministries and service institutions to ensure the availability of necessary infrastructure, including power, roads, telecommunications and technical expertise. The new data centers, built using advanced liquid cooling technologies and next-generation processors, are expected to be among the most efficient in the region. Sheikh Athbi affirmed CITRA's ongoing role as a bridge for coordination and a key enabler of national digital initiatives, positioning Kuwait as a regional leader in artificial intelligence and smart governance. During the meeting, Bezek Althoff delivered a presentation outlining the major components of the agreement and explored opportunities for further cooperation. The presentation focused on accelerating AI investment, expanding data center capabilities and integrating Microsoft Copilot solutions into government operations. Discussions also addressed the customization of AI solutions to align with Kuwait's digital landscape, the integration of cybersecurity with innovation strategies, and the development of training programs to enhance the readiness of government teams in managing digital transformation. The meeting was attended by several senior government officials and executive leaders. It marks a continuation of the strategic partnership agreement signed between the Government of Kuwait and Microsoft in March and is part of a broader framework to implement data center projects, establish centers of excellence and innovation, and incorporate advanced digital tools to improve government performance and service delivery. — KUNA
Gulf Insider
04-05-2025
- Business
- Gulf Insider
Kuwait Bans Cryptocurrency Mining
Kuwait has banned cryptocurrency mining as it looks to regulate the activity and cut down on overloads of electricity network. The Ministry of Interior warned against cryptocurrency mining practices by individuals and entities in Kuwait, which is unlicensed activity and a direct violation of the county's law, particularly: Law No. (31) of 1970 amending certain provisions of the Penal Code No. (16) of 1960 Law No. (37) of 2014 establishing the Communications and Information Technology Regulatory Authority (CITRA) Law No. (56) of 1996 related to the industry law Law No. (33) of 2016 concerning Kuwait Municipality The ministry stressed that cryptocurrency mining caused excessive electricity energy which resulted in increasing the load on public power network. Kuwait cryptocurrency mining ban It also causes power outages in residential. commercial and service areas, in a way which poses a threat to public safety and disrupts providing regular essential services. This warning came according to joint coordination between Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy, Public Authority of Communications and Information Technology, Public Authority for Industry and Kuwait Municipality. These efforts are a part of joint national initiative to combat these illegal activities and reduce its adverse effects on the electrical infrastructure. The Ministry of Interior urged violators to promptly rectify their stances, and in case of their failure to do so, they will be referred to competent authorities for further legal procedures, in accordance with applicable laws. The Ministry of Interior, represented by the Criminal Security Sector, conducted a security campaign last month, targeting several houses used for illegal cryptocurrency mining activities. The campaign resulted in the seizure of violated properties and confiscation of advanced equipment and devices used for cryptocurrency mining, in a clear violation of the law. Legal action has been taken against violated property owners in preparation to refer them to competent authorities. The Ministry emphasised its commitment to continuing its intensive security campaigns in collaboration with the relevant authorities to ensure the implementation of the laws. Source Arabian Business
Al Bawaba
04-05-2025
- Business
- Al Bawaba
Ooredoo Reinforces Its Leadership in Sustainability as Part of Its Long-Term Vision and "Green Communication" Principle
Ooredoo Kuwait continues to solidify its position as one of the country's and region's leading telecom pioneers, thanks to its strong track record in innovation, ongoing investments in cutting-edge technologies, and a flexible infrastructure designed to meet future demands. The company has played a central role in introducing smart communications concepts and delivering advanced digital services that have significantly accelerated Kuwait's digital Ooredoo is leading a new phase of network evolution in the country, based on three strategic pillars: advanced 5G, Ai, and sustainability. This reflects its commitment to pioneering the digital future and empowering national sectors with expertly crafted smart communication Digital SolutionsIn this context, Issa Haider, Chief Technology Officer at Ooredoo Kuwait, stated:"We don't see technology as just operational tools, but as a comprehensive operating model that drives innovation, lays the foundation for smart communications, and delivers effective digital solutions to key sectors and society."He also confirmed the company's readiness to launch its 5G Advanced network, in parallel with the reallocation of spectrum in the 2300 and 2600 MHz (TDD) bands, noting that this marks a major leap in supporting the national digital added that Ooredoo has upgraded its radio access network with massive MIMO antennas and prepared the infrastructure to support network slicing and edge computing, serving critical sectors such as ports, oil, smart education, and healthcare. The targeted use cases include:• Private networks for oil and gas• Smart ports• Supply chains• Immersive education• Medical IoTHe praised the close cooperation with the Communications and Information Technology Regulatory Authority (CITRA) regarding the TDD band activation plan, as well as the technical partnerships with Huawei and Nokia to test AI-powered network capabilities and improve performance efficiency and user experience, including RedCap AI-Powered NetworksHaider explained that AI is no longer just an auxiliary technology but has become the cornerstone of Ooredoo Kuwait's operations. It is utilized across all levels of the network, from self-organizing networks (SON) and predictive maintenance to AI-driven digital customer service, customer satisfaction analytics, and experience quality emphasized that the strategic partnership with NVIDIA is a key enabler of this transformation, accelerating the development of an intelligent AI infrastructure and leveraging high-performance computing to deliver personalized customer experiences, real-time data traffic analytics, and fault is currently working to establish an AI Center of Excellence and adopt a self-decision-making network architecture, capable of delivering real-time, customized as a Core PrincipleHaider stressed that sustainability is no longer optional, but a necessity embedded in Ooredoo's long-term vision, as the company adopts the principle of green communication. It has already begun phasing out its 3G network to reduce energy consumption and introduced hybrid sites powered by solar energy — a move aimed at reducing energy consumption per company also applies clear environmental standards to its procurement practices, including:• Use of recyclable materials• Reduced packaging• Cloud computing relianceHe pointed out that Ooredoo uses advanced dashboards to monitor energy usage, measure carbon footprint, manage electronic waste, and generate reports aligned with GSMA and CITRA standards.A Bold Vision for the FutureIn conclusion, Haider affirmed:"Our vision is for Ooredoo Kuwait to become a role model in building a smart, green network powered by artificial intelligence. Success is no longer only about speed — it's about the ability to innovate and create lasting, sustainable impact in society." © 2000 - 2025 Al Bawaba (
Zawya
03-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Ooredoo reinforces its leadership in sustainability as part of its long-term vision and "Green Communication" principle
We have prepared the infrastructure to support network slicing and facilitate operations for government institutions Artificial intelligence is no longer just a supportive technology, but the foundation of Ooredoo Kuwait's operations We are in the process of establishing an AI Center of Excellence and adopting a self-organizing network architecture We have shut down our 3G network as a strategic step to reduce energy consumption Ooredoo is a role model in building a smart, sustainable network powered by AI Kuwait – Ooredoo Kuwait continues to solidify its position as one of the country's and region's leading telecom pioneers, thanks to its strong track record in innovation, ongoing investments in cutting-edge technologies, and a flexible infrastructure designed to meet future demands. The company has played a central role in introducing smart communications concepts and delivering advanced digital services that have significantly accelerated Kuwait's digital transformation. Today, Ooredoo is leading a new phase of network evolution in the country, based on three strategic pillars: advanced 5G, Ai, and sustainability. This reflects its commitment to pioneering the digital future and empowering national sectors with expertly crafted smart communication solutions. Effective Digital Solutions In this context, Issa Haider, Chief Technology Officer at Ooredoo Kuwait, stated: "We don't see technology as just operational tools, but as a comprehensive operating model that drives innovation, lays the foundation for smart communications, and delivers effective digital solutions to key sectors and society." He also confirmed the company's readiness to launch its 5G Advanced network, in parallel with the reallocation of spectrum in the 2300 and 2600 MHz (TDD) bands, noting that this marks a major leap in supporting the national digital economy. Haider added that Ooredoo has upgraded its radio access network with massive MIMO antennas and prepared the infrastructure to support network slicing and edge computing, serving critical sectors such as ports, oil, smart education, and healthcare. The targeted use cases include: • Private networks for oil and gas • Smart ports • Supply chains • Immersive education • Medical IoT He praised the close cooperation with the Communications and Information Technology Regulatory Authority (CITRA) regarding the TDD band activation plan, as well as the technical partnerships with Huawei and Nokia to test AI-powered network capabilities and improve performance efficiency and user experience, including RedCap trials. Self-Organizing AI-Powered Networks Haider explained that AI is no longer just an auxiliary technology but has become the cornerstone of Ooredoo Kuwait's operations. It is utilized across all levels of the network, from self-organizing networks (SON) and predictive maintenance to AI-driven digital customer service, customer satisfaction analytics, and experience quality prediction. He emphasized that the strategic partnership with NVIDIA is a key enabler of this transformation, accelerating the development of an intelligent AI infrastructure and leveraging high-performance computing to deliver personalized customer experiences, real-time data traffic analytics, and fault prediction. Ooredoo is currently working to establish an AI Center of Excellence and adopt a self-decision-making network architecture, capable of delivering real-time, customized offerings. Sustainability as a Core Principle Haider stressed that sustainability is no longer optional, but a necessity embedded in Ooredoo's long-term vision, as the company adopts the principle of green communication. It has already begun phasing out its 3G network to reduce energy consumption and introduced hybrid sites powered by solar energy — a move aimed at reducing energy consumption per gigabyte. The company also applies clear environmental standards to its procurement practices, including: Use of recyclable materials Reduced packaging Cloud computing reliance He pointed out that Ooredoo uses advanced dashboards to monitor energy usage, measure carbon footprint, manage electronic waste, and generate reports aligned with GSMA and CITRA standards. A Bold Vision for the Future In conclusion, Haider affirmed: "Our vision is for Ooredoo Kuwait to become a role model in building a smart, green network powered by artificial intelligence. Success is no longer only about speed — it's about the ability to innovate and create lasting, sustainable impact in society."
Arab Times
27-04-2025
- Business
- Arab Times
Blocking the bad, securing the good
KUWAIT CITY, April 27: While the Communications and Information Technology Regulatory Authority (CITRA) set the monthly tariff and rental value for international transit circuits for internet services, it required all licensed telecommunications and internet companies to connect their networks to its internet and communications portal under its privacy protection standards. CITRA confirmed in a decision issued by acting Chairman Sheikh Athbi Jaber Al-Sabah, that through this decision, it can regulate and supervise the telecommunications sector, advance it, protect the interests of users, and ensure that licensed companies take all the necessary technical measures to block materials, websites, programs or other contents proven to have violated the laws of Kuwait, or anything which affects public order and public morals. The newspaper obtained a copy of the decision, stating that 'the monthly tariff for transit circuits in Kuwait for a 10G capacity circuit will be rented at KD458 and KD1,832 for a 100G capacity circuit.' The decision stipulates that if the commitment is for 15 years with one-time payment of the rental value, the 10G capacity will be rented at KD54,111 and KD216,446 for a 100G capacity circuit. On the other hand, Sheikh Athbi Jaber Al-Sabah also issued a decision regarding the tariff for international leased circuits for Internet services through international submarine and land cables and the interconnection tariff (retail sale). He said the rental value tariff will be KD133,848 for additional capacity subscriptions for international leased circuits for Internet services for a capacity of (10G) STM64; if a commitment is made for one year with a one-time payment of the rental value, while for the environmental connection, the capacity and duration will cost KD111,540 and this applies to additional subscriptions, not the existing ones. He revealed the decision states that the additional capacity subscriptions included in the tariff mentioned in this decision may be sold to end users, whether individuals or companies (retail sale). 'The decision prohibits selling them to companies licensed as Internet service providers or providers, following the Ministry of Communications' decision, the CITRA Law, and the regulations and decisions issued in this regard,' he said. The decision regulates the work between the Internet and the communications portal of CITRA and local telecommunications and Internet networks. It requires telecommunications and Internet companies and those licensed to manage, establish or operate a telecommunications network or Internet service to provide communications to the public and information or content providers to connect the network they use to the Internet and the communications portal of CITRA per the privacy protection standards set by the authority.
