Info Connect & Info Biz 2015

Kuwait's Info Connect Exhibition is back with a week long event taking place at Mishref's Kuwait International Fairground Hall No 6. The event start on Sunday, 25th January 2015 and goes up to Saturday, 31st January 2015. This exhibition is one of the most happening IT and Computer Exhibitions that take place in Kuwait with lots of on spot discounts and offers. One can get great offers on hardware, software and also mobile phones. Also as the telecom operators are present with their booths, they give the best internet packages with devices or without. Example, in Info connect 2014, Fast Telco launched the fastest internet package in Kuwait with 1000 Mbps Internet connection using fiber optics for both business or residential customers. It is definitely a costly service nonetheless it is the first of its kind in Kuwait offered to an individual or residential customer.

TIMINGS for Infoconnect Exhibition

25th January 2015 to 31st January 2015

Morning 10 am to 1 pm

Evenings 4:30 pm to 9 pm

(NOTE: Please check before going for 25th January as Kuwait has declared it as public holiday)

Photo Courtesy to AAB World

There are some tentative changes to the Exhibition schedule so check before going to the exhibition.

TENTATIVE (Monday 26/01/2015 till Sunday, 01/02/2015)

Below is a list of companies that will be putting up their booths. It will give a heads up on the type of products that will be available during the exhibition. The best being "All under one roof" concept. (SOURCE: CLICK HERE for the exhibitors list) (The list below is tentative - that is more number of booths might be present on the day of the event)

Internet Operators in Kuwait

• Qualitynet
• Gulfnet communication
• Zagil / Zajil Telecom
• FastTelco
• Gulfnet International (KEMS)

Wireless Internet Operators in Kuwait

• Wireless Internet Mobile Data Co. (WIMD)
• Mada Communications

Other Booths

• Orbit Show Time Networks (OSN)
• Dar Al Mashoura Publishing
• Infocenter for Training Services
• Asnaf General Trading Co.
• Capital Quality
• Wahran General Trading Co.
• Infogate Mobile Est.
• Xmart Mobile
• Ministry of Communications
• Telephoneatti
• Alhalya General Trading
• AAB World
• Design Master
• Channels Media
• IT City International
  Naser Mohammad Al Sayer Communications (Canon)
• Anwar Al Mohammadiya
• Anwarco
• Alfoz Group
• Slink International Computer
• Al Adwa News Colour Est.
• Nokhda Mobile
• AL Malim Mobile
• Q7 Mobile
• Mix Max General Trading Co.
• Al Bareeq General Trading
• Kayo Games AL Harbash Computer Co.
• Arak General Trading (YShield)
• Dlink General Trading Co.
• Right Click General Trading Co.

Simultaneously with the start of Info Connect exhibition, the Info Biz exhibition kicks off with business audience as their target. Other than this, the general public get to see the implementation of IT solutions in the different Government organisations and departments - More like the E-portals. List of the government departments showing their booths are below. (CLICK HERE for the source)

• Central Agency for Information Technology (CAIT)
• The Public Authority for Civil Information (PACI)
• Central Stattistical Bureau
• Kuwait Credit Bank
• Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority
• Manpower & Government Restructuring Program
• Kuwait Fire Services Directorate
• Information Technology Authority - Sultanate of Oman
• Ministry of Finance
• Ministry of Education
• Ministry of State for Youth Affairs
• Public Authority for Industry
• Public Authority for Housing Welfare
• Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research
• Ministry of Electricity and Water
• Ministry of Public Works
• Kuwait Awqaf Public Foundation
• Ministry of Communications
• Ministry of Awkaf and Islamic Affairs

TIMINGS FOR INFO BIZ 

25th January 2015 to 29th January 2015

Mornings - 10 am to 1 am

Evenings - 4:30 pm to 8 pm

(NOTE: Please check before going for 25th January as Kuwait has declared it as public holiday)

UPDATE 27/01/2015 : Mark - 248am has posted about the prices of Internet packages that the service providers are giving this year. Not much change compared to last year but lot of on spot prizes or Scratch cards. CLICK HERE for the post on Internet Prices and CLICK HERE for the Information on InfoConnect 2015 by Mark on 248AM

Photo Courtesy to Mark of  248AM

Infoconnect 2013 - Jan 27

Courtesy to www.waw.cc

The Infoconnect exhibition will be starting on the 27th January 2013 with the opening ceremony being exclusively for VIPs. Click HERE to enter the official site. A whole week of this exhibition in Hall No 6 and 7 of Kuwait International Fair Ground in Mishref is definitely a place to check out. I am hoping for some amazing offers to be kicking in, be it the telecommunication, internet services or hardware. Usually the telecom companies Zain, Wataniya and Viva go all out during the exhibition making it the most happening place.

The timings for the week from Monday to Thursday will be 9 am to 1 pm and 4 pm to 9 pm. Friday 4 pm to 10 pm. One of my personal suggestions would be that people should check out the parking spaces for Hall no 6 and 7; and also the different entry and exits for the Kuwait International Fair grounds in the coming weeks, so that they can have less discomfort during the exhibition days as this is the cold and rainy season in Kuwait. The exhibition is to be closing down by 2nd February 2013. Update: Some photos from the Infoconnect Exhibition can be seen below.

Kuwait Central Blood Bank Updated

UPDATE (16/11/2021)

Locations of the various Blood banks across Kuwait.

(10/04/2012) Post

Kuwait's health system is something we can talk about which will lead to many posts. But for this particular post, I would like to talk about the Central Blood Bank which is located in Jabriya next to Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital. I have been to the blood bank on many occasions, not on the receiving side but to give blood. My friends and me used to give blood when we were studying at college in India and it kind of became a habit. One fine day, I dropped by at the Kuwait Central Blood Bank after I was able to located it on Google Maps.There is sufficient parking available and also one can get down (By Bus) at Al-Bahar Center, Tunis Street, Hawally and walk 200 meters to the Blood Bank. The timings for the Blood bank are as follows:

• Sunday - Thursday - 7 am to 8:30 pm
• Friday - 1 pm to 7 pm
• Saturday - 7 am to 7 pm

The process of giving blood is simple for first timers or for regular donors. Once you enter, you just have to give your Civil ID card so that they can check their system. For first timers, they will ask you to give some basic information like phone number and language of preference for answering the questionnaire. My language preference is entered as English so whenever I give my civil ID they just print out the questionnaire in English for me, while for my friends who opted for Arabic it prints out in Arabic every single time (unless you feel like changing it). Once I answer the basic questions (look below for the sample of the questionnaire), my blood pressure, Blood sugar and body temperature is monitored and entered into the system. If the values are other than normal, then you can visit the doctors in the next cabin to get a free consultation. Once you enter the blood donation room, it is time to sit back and relax and let the nurses take care of the process. It varies from 5- 25 minutes. During that time you can browse through your smart phone , no restrictions applied here for the phones. You get a complimentary juice (KDD). One can return back, to give blood after a period of 2-4 months. Also many government bodies and companies organize Blood Donation Camps once in a while on their own premises (under the watchful eye of the Kuwait Central Blood Bank or the Ministry of Health), one can give during those campaigns.

UPDATE (16/08/2013): Regular Timings

• Sunday to Thursday - 7 am to 9 pm
• Friday - 1 pm to 7 pm
• Saturday - 7 am to 7 pm.

UPDATE (29/06/2014): Ramadan Timings

• Saturday to Thursday - 10 am to 2 pm.
• Saturday to Thursday - 8 pm to 1 am.
• Friday - 8 pm to 1 am.

Twitter account for the Kuwait Central Blood Bank ( KCBB) : CLICK HERE.

Instagram account for the Kuwait Central Blood Bank (KCBB) : CLICK HERE.

Photo Courtesy to Kuwait Central Blood Bank Instagram

Kuwait Central Blood Bank Update 25/08/2013

Kuwait Central Blood Bank Update 25/08/2013

New type of Bandage applied to the forearm after giving blood

UPDATE (11/08/2014) : Kuwait Central Blood Bank timings for blood donations

• Saturday - Thursday : 7:30 am to 8:30 pm.
• Friday : 1 pm to 7 pm.

Instagram account - 11/08/2014

Twitter Account - 11/08/2014

UPDATE (11/08/2014): Ministry of Health has quashed reports which have been circulating about the Kuwait Central Blood Bank storage was running into Bankruptcy. Head of the KCCB Reem Al-Radwan reported on Sunday that the reports were 'groundless'. (Source: KUNA)

Due to the month of Ramadan and Eid-Al-Fitr, the donations were on a decline. Therefore the general storage reduced a little bit. MoH is intensifying blood donation campaigns to restore the strategic storage at the Central Blood Bank. Kuwait Army launches Blood Donation Campaign, CLICK HERE to see the article. Another Campaign took place in Ministry of Electricity and Water, MEW on Sunday, 10/08/2014. Both Citizens and Expatriates are encouraged to donate at Kuwait Central Blood Bank, Jabriya.

Update - 11/08/2014. Front Entrance

Update - 11/08/2014. The Flags on the top of the Banks need to be Changed.

UPDATE (Ramadan 1436 / 2015) : CLICK HERE to Check out the Ramadan Timings.

UPDATE (10/08/2015) : Timings updated

Photo Courtesy to kwbloodbank Instagram

Timings for Jabriya, Kuwait Central Blood Bank for Blood Donations

• Sunday to Thursday - 7 am to 8 pm
• Friday - 1 pm to 7 pm
• Saturday - 7 am to 7 pm

Photo Courtesy to kwbloodbank Instagram

Timings for Jabriya, Kuwait Central Blood Bank for Platelet Donations (mainly when donating for patients undergoing surgery )

• Sunday to Thursday - 7 am to 1 pm
• Tuesday only - 7 am to 4 pm
• Saturday - 7 am to 1 pm

Photo Courtesy to kwbloodbank Instagram

Platelet donors requirements - Age above 17 years and the weight of the person should be above 50 kgs. Also the interested donor should not be taking painkillers or antibiotics for 5 days before the donation process.

Blood Platelets donation is the second type of donation done at the Blood Bank, where the platelets are drawn through the separator device and the rest of the blood components are restored/returned to the donor. Usually done in Room No 5. Once the screening process is finished and the blood test report, Blood Pressure and other preliminary checks are done and verified. The donor is given a green signal for a go ahead for Platelet donations which can last up 90 minutes. So advice is to get a book to read or atleast charge your phones & get used to using it with a single hand.

The Apheresis Donation Unit is the location for Platelet Donations.

The Form is in English or Arabic depending on your choice of language.
This is for either Blood Donation or Platelet Donation.

Pre Donation Instruction for Platelet Donation in English

Pre Donation Instruction for Platelet Donation in Arabic

Letter of Consent for Platelet Donation

Pre Donation instruction for Apheresis Platelet Donors in English & Arabic

Just for your Information, with regard to Ebola Virus

The Application form created at the KCBB when a Patient needs Platelets.
based on the letter given by the hospital asking the blood bank to provide them with the required.

Update (30/05/2016): Timings

Jabriya Kuwait Central Blood Bank (Main Blood Bank)

• Sunday to Thursday - 7am to 8pm
• Friday - 1pm to 7pm
• Saturday 7am to 6pm

Blood Bank - Adan Hospital branch

• Sunday to Thursday - 8am to 1pm
• Sunday to Thursday - 4pm to 8pm

Blood Bank - Jahra Hospital branch

• Sunday to Thursday - 8am to 1pm

Blood Bank - Kuwait National Guard (KNG) branch

• Sunday to Thursday - 8am to 1pm

Blood Bank - Amiri Hospital branch

• Sunday to Thursday - 8am to 1pm

  

  Photo Courtesy to KCBB

  
  

Update (06/06/2016): Ramadan Timings

Kuwait Central Blood Bank - Jabriya (Source: CLICK HERE)

• Sunday to Thursday: 10am - 2pm and 9pm -1am
• Friday to Saturday: 9pm - 1am

Kuwait Blood Bank Branches Timing (Source: CLICK HERE)

• Adan Hospital branch: Sunday to Thursday 9pm - 1am
• Jahra Hospital branch: Sunday to Thursday 9pm - 1am
• Al Amiri Center branch: Sunday to Thursday 8pm - 12midnight
• KNG Shuwaikh branch: Sunday to Thursday 8pm - 12midnight

Internet in Kuwait

This has been one topic which I wanted to write about or atleast let people know of. This post is not going to highlight anything new but will summarize some of the things. 2012 brought the number of Internet Service Providers (ISPs) down from 5 to 4 for Wired Connectivity.

• Quality Net
• Fasttelco
• Kems
• Gulfnet

The above 4 companies have been recently given licence by Ministry of Communication (MoC) for a period of two years for a fees of 250,000 KD (Kuwaiti Dinars). Also along with that, the ISPs were asked to reduce the prices by 40% bringing the internet to some tempting prices. This reduction of price was introduced quiet early (mid 2011) but many existing customers did not know about it until the Infoconnect 2012 exhibition held in Jan-Feb 2012. I doubled my speed after paying a small difference with the new price list. The prices list for all the above 4 ISPs are amazingly similar varying only by 1 KD in most cases. People term this as Monopolization. The above wired internet connectivity is still the most economical for people if one has landline.

Wireless Internet connectivity is slightly new to Kuwait but still not that popular as it is not known to many. Here is a blog post which gives you good idea about the Kuwait experience and price list. I really did enjoy Wireless Internet connectivity experience when I was in India, Bangalore. It was newly introduced into India in January 2007 and I became a testing customer. I had a 3 months of unstable up-down connection till the technical team could figure out the in and out of the technology. During that time, I still hanged onto the wired internet. In India, the wireless internet is not that far off in price when comparing to the wired internet connectivity. In Kuwait, the two companies handling this is WiMD and MADA.

The telecom internet companies are Zain, Wataniya and Viva. They are competing against each other for customers in varieties of products from

• Mobile Internet for iphones, blackberrys and other smartphones.
• Single User internet (USB devices)
• Multi User Internet (Routers - Battery operated to standalone routers)

The telecom networks are still going to have a lot of challenge as they keep jumping the speed. Started with 256kbps to 512 kbps to 7.2 mbps to 21.6 mbps. I just hope that the network backbone can hold up as people in Kuwait are hungry for speed. Look into this blog post for a clearer picture.

International call rates reduced

From 23rd November 2008, the international call rates for a few countries have been reduced. Ministry of Communication (MoC) has made this positive move and has suggested for further reduction for other countries.

Now calling India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Philippines has been reduced to 170 fils per minute (KD 0.170 per minute).

Also calling some countries in the Arab world - Egypt, Lebanon and Syria have been reduced to 150 fils per minute (KD 0.150 per minute).

Now the crackdown on the illegal internet international call center have increased after the reduction of the rates since 23rd November. After a period of one month since this has been applied the crackdown has been reduced and things are back to normal. People are still finding internet international calling rates attractive as the price difference is atleast 2 to 5 times.

Viva's Vanity number

Kuwait's third telecom company - Kuwait Telecom Company has started off with provisions to reserve numbers. These VIVA numbers have the prefix of "55", therefore the last 6 digit combinations are open for reservation. These reservations can be done online at the VIVA website or at Kiosks in different areas of Kuwait. Reserving these numbers donot cost and can be done only using your Civil I.D. or Passport numbers. This has been included for restriction so that only one person can book one number. This is helpful in keeping people from capturing numbers in bulk so that black marketing can be avoided. First Come First Serve is the motto currently for reserving numbers. This facility has been open for 4 weeks. Once the SIM cards are ready then the customers will be contacted to pick them up at the nearest VIVA outlet.

8-digit phone nos only from Oct 17

From October 17, only 8-digit numbers (as per new numbering system) are going to be active in Kuwait. Ministry of Communication (MoC) will be updating their system from 2 am to 5 am on Oct 17. So systems will be down. I am sure people have already updated their phoneooks and contact list.

People have to keep in mind that for Dial-up internet users, the 6 digit numbers like 8** *** should be modified by adding 1. Therefore the new modified number is 18** ***.

Exact 8 digit phone numbers

The exact range of 7 digit numbers have been mentioned below in ascending order along with the network they belong to. The 8th digit should be prefixed based on the following:
9 should be added to all Zain numbers which belong to MTC (Mobile Telecommunication Company).
6 should be added to all Wataniya numbers which belong to Wataniya Telecom.
2 should be added to all Landline numbers which belong to MoC (Ministry of Communication).
1 should be added to all Commercial numbers that is Hotline 6 digit numbers (This also belongs to MoC).

800000 - 899999 Commercial Numbers 6 digit Hotline numbers
1000000 - 3999999 Landline
4000000 - 4099999 Zain
4100000 - 4399999 Landline
4400000 - 4499999 Zain
4500000 - 5009999 Landline
5010000 - 5029999 Wataniya
5030000 - 5049999 Landline
5050000 - 5099999 Wataniya
5100000 - 5199999 Wataniya
5200000 - 5499999 Landline
5500000 - 5509999 Wataniya
5510000 - 5539999 Landline
5540000 - 5599999 Wataniya
5600000 - 5699999 Landline
5700000 - 5709999 Wataniya
5710000 - 5779999 Landline
5780000 - 5799999 Wataniya
5800000 - 5899999 Wataniya
5900000 - 5999999 Wataniya
6000000 - 7019999 Wataniya
7020000 - 7029999 Zain
7030000 - 7090000 Wataniya
7100000 - 7199999 Zain
7200000 - 7299999 Zain
7300000 - 7399999 Zain
7400000 - 7499999 Zain
7500000 - 7599999 Zain
7600000 - 7699999 Zain
7700000 - 7769999 Wataniya
7780000 - 7799999 Wataniya
7800000 - 7899999 Zain
7900000 - 7999999 Zain
8000000 - 8999999 Landline
9000000 - 9999999 Zain

International Call rates

My previous post had a comment which talked about the International call rates being ridiculous and also the charges on Mobile calls and SMSes. So this post came into existence to highlight some of those things.

First of all the Ministry of Communication in Kuwait has an official website. By the way the International call rates/tariffs are mentioned on their official website. But I would say that it is an old list which was valid before January 1st, 2008. You can CLICK HERE to see it. Ofcourse since January 1st, 2008 the call rates fell by 20% and the new updated list can be see on another site. CLICK HERE to view the current call rates/tariffs. Here you can also see the old rates and new rates.

The main problem with the above call rates are that they are still costly when compared to the rest of the gulf. The sadder part is that if you call any country, the call rate from that side will be cheaper. Example: A call from Kuwait to India will cost 240 fils/minute (KD 0.240; that is Indian Rupees 40 with current market rate as KD 5.900 for Rs 1000). Whereas a call from India to Kuwait will cost Rs 8/minute (Indian Rupee 8 = KD 0.048; that is 48 fils considering the above exchange rate).

If one thinks this is the only difference then one should consider the fact that in Kuwait outgoing calls and incoming calls on mobiles do cost. So even if one gets a call from India he will have to pay for the incoming call on his mobile (50 fils per minute). Similarly if one makes a call from his mobile to India he will have to pay the call rate 240 fils plus 50 fils. I think these things have made internet telephony more popular in Kuwait. The above reasons make the Telecom sector in Kuwait very profitable. People are awaiting for reduction on local calls and SMSes. Probably this answer may be solved by the introduction of the new telecom company whose commercial brand VIVA got launched last week.

New Numbering System for phones -> 8 Digits

From Friday, September 19, phone users will be able to call both the existing 7 digit and the new 8 digit phone numbers. This will be the transition period for all phone numbers, be it Mobile phones or Landline numbers. The transition period is from Sept 19 to Oct 17. After Oct 17, the old 7 digit phone numbers will be removed.

The additional 8 digit being added to the 7 digits are as follows:
9 should be added to all Zain numbers.
eg: 7** **** becomes 97** ****
9** **** becomes 99** ****
6 should be added to all Watniya numbers.
eg: 6** **** becomes 66** ****
2 should be added to all Landline numbers.
eg: 2** **** becomes 22** ****
4** **** becomes 24** ****
5** **** becomes 25** ****
1 should be added to all Commercial numbers.
eg: 8** *** becomes 18** ***
All emergency numbers remain the same.
eg: 777, 100, 101 etc.

If people donot know what the new numbers are (whether they are confused with Zain or Wataniya numbers). Then you can click on the below site. Here Enter the existing 7 digit number and it will show you the new 8 digit number. CLICK HERE

My personal opinion is to change all the numbers in the phone book to 8 - digit numbering system as there might be some conflicts occuring. Therefore it would be suggested to stick to one particular format. Ofcourse take your own time until Oct 17.