13 October 2010
KUWAIT: The heads of the three telecom service providers in Kuwait denied tapping any of their subscribers' calls. They also stressed that such a move would be considered criminal according to Kuwaiti law and added that for such a move to be done legally it would require direct authorization from the public prosecutor and would only be allowed during potentially security threatening situations.
The statements came during a seminar held during one of the Arab Media Forum's weekly seminars program, hosted by the forum's Secretary General, Madhi Al-Khamees. The main speakers at the event were Zain's Operations Executive, Barrak Al-Subaih, its CEO Khaled Al-Omar, Wataniya's Deputy Director for Communications Fuad Al-Ablani, its Information Sector Manager Zeyad Al-Oamr and VIVA's CEO, Najeeb Al-Awadhi.
Al-Khamees said that there were plans to invite an official from the Ministry of Communications (MoC) to attend the seminar and that this could not be done because of time constraints. The three companies' officials started the forum by reviewing their respective companies' histories in local markets and their expansion plans.
Responding to question from Al-Khamees on selling Zain, Al-Subaih denied receiving any official offers so far. He also urged the government to adopt further privatization plans and used Zain as an example of a successfully privatized company. He said that if rumors concerning a UAE investor's intention to operate in Kuwait as a fourth service provider were true that the potential provider would need at least three years to start earning profits in an already saturated market.
Al-Ablani spoke of the obstacles faced by telecom service providers in Kuwait, noting that they are mainly the ones responsible for organizing the telecom sector. "We don't have a single institution that is capable of meeting with the three companies to discuss problems and find solutions," he said.
The Wataniya official noted that some of the problems were with the communications ministry itself while other problems were the result of decisions made by the parliament or various ministries to remove transmission towers from residential areas. "It's unbelievable that in order to build a tower in one of the new areas we need over 18 approvals and signatures," Al-Ablani said. He noted that the constant change of MoC ministers has hindered the ability to establish a telecom authority.
Najeeb Al-Awadhi said that unless telecom services in Kuwait are more organized service prices will continue to increase. He said that the three companies were currently meeting with MOC officials to discuss allowing phone numbers to be transferred between the three different companies.
Commenting on the possibility of reducing mobile phone call charges by calculating them to the second, Al-Omar said that Kuwait should not be compared to other GCC states regarding this issue because Kuwait does not have the companies required to organize such services.
KUWAIT: The heads of the three telecom service providers in Kuwait denied tapping any of their subscribers' calls. They also stressed that such a move would be considered criminal according to Kuwaiti law and added that for such a move to be done legally it would require direct authorization from the public prosecutor and would only be allowed during potentially security threatening situations.
The statements came during a seminar held during one of the Arab Media Forum's weekly seminars program, hosted by the forum's Secretary General, Madhi Al-Khamees. The main speakers at the event were Zain's Operations Executive, Barrak Al-Subaih, its CEO Khaled Al-Omar, Wataniya's Deputy Director for Communications Fuad Al-Ablani, its Information Sector Manager Zeyad Al-Oamr and VIVA's CEO, Najeeb Al-Awadhi.
Al-Khamees said that there were plans to invite an official from the Ministry of Communications (MoC) to attend the seminar and that this could not be done because of time constraints. The three companies' officials started the forum by reviewing their respective companies' histories in local markets and their expansion plans.
Responding to question from Al-Khamees on selling Zain, Al-Subaih denied receiving any official offers so far. He also urged the government to adopt further privatization plans and used Zain as an example of a successfully privatized company. He said that if rumors concerning a UAE investor's intention to operate in Kuwait as a fourth service provider were true that the potential provider would need at least three years to start earning profits in an already saturated market.
Al-Ablani spoke of the obstacles faced by telecom service providers in Kuwait, noting that they are mainly the ones responsible for organizing the telecom sector. "We don't have a single institution that is capable of meeting with the three companies to discuss problems and find solutions," he said.
The Wataniya official noted that some of the problems were with the communications ministry itself while other problems were the result of decisions made by the parliament or various ministries to remove transmission towers from residential areas. "It's unbelievable that in order to build a tower in one of the new areas we need over 18 approvals and signatures," Al-Ablani said. He noted that the constant change of MoC ministers has hindered the ability to establish a telecom authority.
Najeeb Al-Awadhi said that unless telecom services in Kuwait are more organized service prices will continue to increase. He said that the three companies were currently meeting with MOC officials to discuss allowing phone numbers to be transferred between the three different companies.
Commenting on the possibility of reducing mobile phone call charges by calculating them to the second, Al-Omar said that Kuwait should not be compared to other GCC states regarding this issue because Kuwait does not have the companies required to organize such services.
© Kuwait Times 2010
