17 July 2011
KUWAIT: The Internet crisis seems to be reaching an end after a series of meetings between officials at the Ministry of Communication and the Internet service providers. The two parties reached an agreement to stop the Internet speed-capping policy and decrease subscription prices which witnessed a hike over the past three months. Ministry of Communication Undersecretary Abdulmohsen Al-Mazeedi said to the press that the subscription prices will be decreased by 25 percent, and the capping policy will no longer be effective within the coming week.
This comes as part of our compliance with the recommendations of the 10th Arab Telecom and Internet Forum which was held in Lebanon last month. We find it vital to provide reliable Internet connection at affordable prices, and we sensed that the Internet service providers are eager to work hand in hand with us on this," said Al-Mazeedi.
Minister of Communication and Information Salem Al-Ozianah stressed on the fact that the Internet is a technology that is indispensable today and it plays a major role in the social, political and economical arenas in Kuwait. "The Ministry of Communication is determined to protect the rights of consumers by monitoring the Internet service providers and working closely with them in a manner that is responsible and transparent," said Al-Ozainah.
Internet service providers have adopted a policy that caps the speed of users if they exceed a daily limit of downloads, a decision that caused an uproar among Internet users. Internet providers also increased subscription prices, citing high monthly fees paid to the Ministry of Communication as the reason.
A knowledgeable source at one of the major internet service providers in Kuwait told the Kuwait Times that approximately 60 percent of what the subscribers pay for their subscription goes to the Ministry of Communication as fees. The Ministry of Communication is in the process of renegotiating prices and fees as a step towards overhauling the infrastructure of Internet services in Kuwait. The parties are set to reach an agreement within the week.
Much of this is thanks to a pressure group formed online by dissatisfied users over the past several weeks, meeting with parliament members, Ministry of Communication officials and Internet service provider representatives. Last month, Kuwait attended the 10th Arab Telecom and Internet Forum in Beirut, which stressed in its recommendations on providing reliable affordable Internet connection to individuals. Specialists at the forum saw that it is especially vital as a factor for social development, knowledge and learning, and an effective tool in the hands of nations that want to partake in deciding their destinies.
KUWAIT: The Internet crisis seems to be reaching an end after a series of meetings between officials at the Ministry of Communication and the Internet service providers. The two parties reached an agreement to stop the Internet speed-capping policy and decrease subscription prices which witnessed a hike over the past three months. Ministry of Communication Undersecretary Abdulmohsen Al-Mazeedi said to the press that the subscription prices will be decreased by 25 percent, and the capping policy will no longer be effective within the coming week.
This comes as part of our compliance with the recommendations of the 10th Arab Telecom and Internet Forum which was held in Lebanon last month. We find it vital to provide reliable Internet connection at affordable prices, and we sensed that the Internet service providers are eager to work hand in hand with us on this," said Al-Mazeedi.
Minister of Communication and Information Salem Al-Ozianah stressed on the fact that the Internet is a technology that is indispensable today and it plays a major role in the social, political and economical arenas in Kuwait. "The Ministry of Communication is determined to protect the rights of consumers by monitoring the Internet service providers and working closely with them in a manner that is responsible and transparent," said Al-Ozainah.
Internet service providers have adopted a policy that caps the speed of users if they exceed a daily limit of downloads, a decision that caused an uproar among Internet users. Internet providers also increased subscription prices, citing high monthly fees paid to the Ministry of Communication as the reason.
A knowledgeable source at one of the major internet service providers in Kuwait told the Kuwait Times that approximately 60 percent of what the subscribers pay for their subscription goes to the Ministry of Communication as fees. The Ministry of Communication is in the process of renegotiating prices and fees as a step towards overhauling the infrastructure of Internet services in Kuwait. The parties are set to reach an agreement within the week.
Much of this is thanks to a pressure group formed online by dissatisfied users over the past several weeks, meeting with parliament members, Ministry of Communication officials and Internet service provider representatives. Last month, Kuwait attended the 10th Arab Telecom and Internet Forum in Beirut, which stressed in its recommendations on providing reliable affordable Internet connection to individuals. Specialists at the forum saw that it is especially vital as a factor for social development, knowledge and learning, and an effective tool in the hands of nations that want to partake in deciding their destinies.
© Kuwait Times 2011
