Kuwait's ambition for High Speed Internet

Kuwait's thirst for faster internet speed has been growing. All the Service providers are moving in that direction, be it Fiber Optic cables or 5G networks. CLICK HERE to read the article about projects being executed towards that direction.

Ministry of Communication has been upping their game with Fiber Optic cable replacements of older cable networks in existing cities and installation of fiber optics in all newer cities. This is already helping in increasing the current 10 -14 Mbps to even more higher speed of 50-100 Mbps speeds. Current internet plans by the different Internet Service Providers (ISP) are as below (as of 5th January 2019).

With the Landline ISPs moving ahead in the game, the Mobile ISPs have also been eyeing the 5G networks,  with current speeds of 21 Mbps to 42 Mbps being provided on the 4G networks. Lots of Offer packages are out on all of ISPs.

CLICK HERE for the previous posts about the Internet in Kuwait.

Internet Service Providers of Kuwait

Quality Net

Website: https://www.qualitynet.net/

Instagram: qualitynet_q8 (CLICK HERE)

Twitter: qualitynet_q8 (CLICK HERE)

Facebook: QualityNetkw (CLICK HERE)

Customer Care: 1808888 , 1804444

FastTelco

Website: https://www.fasttelco.net/

Instagram: fasttelco (CLICK HERE)

Twitter: fasttelco (CLICK HERE)

Facebook: FASTtelco (CLICK HERE)

Customer Care: 1886666

KEMS

Website: http://www1.kems.net/

Instagram: kemsinternet (CLICK HERE)

Twitter: KEMSinternet (CLICK HERE)

Facebook: KEMSinternet (CLICK HERE)

Customer Care: 1822822

BOnline

(previously Gulfnet)

Website: https://www.bonline.com.kw/

Instagram: bonlinekw (CLICK HERE)

Twitter: bonlinekw (CLICK HERE)

Facebook: bonlinekw (CLICK HERE)

Customer Care: 1816666

Mada

Website: http://www.mada.com.kw/

Instagram: mada_kuwait (CLICK HERE)

Twitter: Mada_Kuwait (CLICK HERE)

Facebook: Mada.Kuwait (CLICK HERE)

Customer Care: 1822888

BWireless

(previously WiMD)

Website: https://bwireless.com.kw/en/

Instagram: bwirelesskw (CLICK HERE)

Twitter: bwirelesskw (CLICK HERE)

Facebook: BWirelesskw (CLICK HERE)

Customer Care: 1800055

Zain

(Previously MTC)

Website: https://www.kw.zain.com/

Instagram: zainkuwait (CLICK HERE)

Twitter: zainkuwait (CLICK HERE)

Facebook: zainkuwait (CLICK HERE)

Customer Care: 107

Ooredoo

(Previously Wataniya)

Website: https://www.ooredoo.com.kw/

Instagram: OoredooKuwait (CLICK HERE)

Twitter: OoredooKuwait (CLICK HERE)

Facebook: OoredooKuwait (CLICK HERE)

Customer Care: 121

Viva

Website: http://www.viva.com.kw/

Instagram: VivaTelecom (CLICK HERE)

Twitter: VivaTelecom (CLICK HERE)

Facebook: VivaQ8 (CLICK HERE)

Customer Care: 102

UPDATES (01/10/2019): OCTOBER 2019

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

Viva 512 Kuwait Gaming Tournament

Photo Courtesy to Viva 512 Kuwait

Kuwait is nicely pulling off some video gaming tournaments. The banner says mostly everything. The Registration can be done online using KNET payment Gateway (CLICK HERE to go to registration page) OR by entering the Voucher details (One can purchase the Vouchers at Baroue, The Avenues. Viva 512 Kuwait on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

512KUWAIT: The important stuff about the tournament (Kuwait is +3 GMT):

• Date of Tournament : March 2013 ( 21st, 22nd and 23rd )
• Time on Thursday, March 21st: 4:30 pm to 10:00 pm Kuwait Time.
• Time on Friday, March 22nd: 1 pm to 10:00 pm Kuwait Time.
• Time on Saturday, March 23rd: 12 noon to 7:30 pm Kuwait Time.
• VENUE : Exhibition Hall, 360 Mall, Zahra - South Surra Kuwait.
• Tournament Type: KNOCK-OUT Tournament
• Game: EA FIFA 13
• Gaming Console: PlayStation 3
• Registration is ON (Since 21st February 2013)
• Number of Participants: 512

The most important right now for all the participant is the RULES & REGULATIONS and also the TERMS and CONDITIONS. The next important thing is the practice until the tournament date. Get to your console and enter the following Game Setting which will be applied throughout the tournament. Keep playing to get a hang under these settings (360 Mall has a Freeze Club on 3rd Floor were one can practise Playstation 3 games - They Charge money - Not free).

Match Settings

Difficulty: World Class		Half: Four Minutes		Offside: On
Injuries: Off		Handball: Off		Camera: Tele Broadcast
Bookings: On		Time/Score Display: On		Radar: 2D
Referee: Random		HUD: Player Name Bar		Pitch Pattern: Default
Time of Day: 8pm		Weather: Clear		Pitch Wear: Random
Home Team: Coin Toss		Game Speed: Normal		Stadium: Home Team
Season: Autumn/Fall		Commentary: English		Tactics: Default
Defending: Tactical		Team: Club/Nation

The prize money is HUGE considering that LAST MAN STANDING get the amount of KD 5000 (US $ 17,500). Official Press release was on 19th February 2013 in Kuwait. CLICK HERE to view. The sponsors on board are a nice set. Viva, National Bank of Kuwait (NBK), Nike Store, Qualitynet, Mini Cooper, Bayt Abdullah Children’s Hospice, Ali Abdulwahab Al Mutawa Commercial Co, Goal!, Mr. Babu.com, and 52 Degrees. Electronics for the Tournament is powered by X-Cite - Alghanim Electronics.

360 Mall (Photo Courtesy to 360 Mall)

Other Bloggers that have Posted about the event

• Q8allinone - CLICK HERE for their Post.
• Q8Path - CLICK HERE for their Post.
• Q8ryuk - CLICK HERE for their Post.
• bokhaloodie - CLICK HERE for their Post.
• p0ach - CLICK HERE for their Post.

UPDATED: After three days of battling it out the tournament came to an end. The most amazing things were the increase in sponsors and also surprise appearances at the event. On Friday evening, Bader Almutawa and other members of the Kuwait National Football Team dropped by to check out the event. They even played with some of the people at Fifa13 on PS3.

Kuwait National Football Team (Photo Courtesy of Kappa.ae)

Another interesting person was Achie Tarhouchi of Panna Wonders (Facebook, Twitter and Street-Madness.com) who was present during the Viva 512 Kuwait Tournament. The video below from his facebook page talks about his invitation to Viva 512 Kuwait.

The prize distribution was done with KD 5000 being given to the Winner. The Runners-up received a fully paid ticket to watch Manchester United Match. Also the winner and runner-up received mementos  An autographed T-shirt of ManU was given also given as a Raffle Prize.

K.O. Fighting Game Festival Kuwait

Courtesy of Quality Net Kuwait and White Tower Kuwait.

RECORDED FOOTAGE : CLICK HERE

The Gaming Festival kicks off on 7th February 2013 and will go on until 9th February 2013. Three days of tournament which is being held in Kuwait International Fair (KIF) Grounds, Mishref (The same place where Infoconnect  Exhibition took place). So starting off the weekend from Thursday 5 pm onwards Hall Number 8 at Mishref KIF will be the gaming zone. Parking should be sufficient as this event is targeted for Game Lovers. Entrance Charge is KD 5 for three (3) days and also entering into any tournament or tournaments. The whole event is sponsored by Quality Net and powered by White Tower. For more information about registering and other details, one can log into White Towers Site.

So breakdown are as follows:

K.O. Fighting Game Festival.

Thursday 7th Feb 5 pm till 12 midnight.

Friday 8th Feb 4 pm till 12 midnight.

Saturday 9th Feb 4 pm till 12 midnight.

One Charge : KD 5 (Kuwaiti Dinar) for spectators or tournament participents.

Purchase of Passes/Registrations : White Tower, Salem Al Mubarak Street, Al Burj Al Abyath, M

Venue: Hall No. 8, Kuwait International Fair Grounds, Mishref, Kuwait.

Games ( All games will be played on PlayStation 3)

1. Team Tournament (3v3) : Super Street Fighter IV Arcade Edition v2012.
   Prizes First: KD 2000, Second KD 600, Third KD 300
2. Singles (1v1) : Ultimate Marvel VS Capcom 3
   Prizes First: KD 500, Second KD 250, Third KD 150
3. Singles (1v1) : Tekken Tag Tournament 2
   Prizes First: KD 300, Second KD 150, Third KD 100

All the above tournaments are Double Elimination.

The trailers of the K.O. Game Festival can be seen below:

Above: Trailer 1 - Courtesy to White Tower, CLICK HERE for the Youtube Link.

Above: Trailer 2 - Courtesy to White Tower, CLICK HERE for the Youtube Link.

White Tower has its presence on TWITTER, FACEBOOK and YOUTUBE.

Similarly Quality Net has its presence on TWITTER, FACEBOOK, YOUTUBE and INSTAGRAM.

International Guests attending the event are the following :

• KichijojiKEN
• Shin
• -R-
• Gachikun
• Rariken
• Super SantarouMan
• Akimo
• Okkun
• NISHIKIN
• Tokido
• Mago
• Xian
• Justin Wong
• Zhi
• Papatiwawa
• Ryan Hart

White Tower has released a Player Reveal Trailer:

Above: Player Reveal Trailer - Courtesy to White Tower, CLICK HERE for the Youtube Link.

UPDATE (07/02/2013, Thursday) : The Game Festival is being video graphed and being put online on LuckyGenGamers Twitch.tv site. Also they have a Facebook Group page.

UPDATE:
The Bracket list for all the 3 categories are up online.

• Team Tournament (3v3) : Super Street Fighter IV Arcade Edition v2012. CLICK HERE to view.
• Singles (1v1) : Ultimate Marvel VS Capcom 3. CLICK HERE to view.
• Singles (1v1) : Tekken Tag Tournament 2. CLICK HERE to view.

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.

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.