• Al-Ozainah: This milestone achieved by CITRA aids in stimulating healthy competition in the local market while elevating the quality of service in Kuwait
  • Alharbi: We are delighted to partner with a prominent global brand to engage in a new market layer within the local telecom sector
  • Nielsen: We are proud to launch Virgin Mobile in Kuwait as part of our ongoing commitment to provide customers with innovative digital services, transforming the traditional mobile experience.

Kuwait: Kuwait Telecommunications Company – stc, a world-class digital leader providing innovative services and platforms to customers, enabling the digital transformation in Kuwait, and Virgin Mobile Middle East and Africa (VMMEA) received the Communication and Information Technology Regulatory Authority’s (CITRA) approval for the first-of-its-kind mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) license to launch Virgin Mobile Kuwait (Connect Arabia WLL).

The announcement of the first mobile virtual network operator in Kuwait was made during a press conference attended by the Minister of Public Works and Minister of State for Communications and Information Technology, Dr. Rana Al-Fares, Chairman and CEO of CITRA, engineer Salim Muthib Al-Ozainah, as well as representatives from the authority, CEO of stc Kuwait, engineer Maziad Alharbi, CEO of Virgin Mobile Kuwait, Benoit Janin, and various members of the local press.

Virgin Mobile Kuwait will operate using stc’s network, with stc acting as a Host Facilities Based Provider “FBP” with Virgin Mobile Kuwait, offering prepaid plans to users, making it the first virtual telecom service provider in Kuwait.

By combining VMMEA’s role as the region’s leading MVNO and digital innovator, and the strong infrastructure of stc’s network, the two companies aim to provide an unparalleled customer experience within this market, transforming the user and on-demand experience for pre-paid mobile users through a range of digital solutions.

Engineer Salim Muthib Al-Ozainah, Chairman and CEO of CITRA, said, “Stemming from CITRA’s goal of promoting positive competition, we are glad to license the first MNVO to Virgin Mobile Kuwait. We are also glad to see the entry of a reputable international investor such as Virgin International in bringing their digital expertise to the Kuwaiti market. This move will surely contribute greatly to the telecom sector in raising the quality of service and overall customer experience.”

The previously established consortium was led by VMMEA and included stc as a strategic partner to provide a range of new-to-market fully digital consumer services in the Kuwaiti telecom sector.

The license awarded by CITRA to Virgin Mobile Kuwait to provide MVNO services is pursuant to the agreement for the provision and resale of the services necessary to allow the reselling of services to end-users and operate as a business. Virgin Mobile Kuwait aims to launch its innovative app-based platform with proven technology derived from VMMEA’s digital operator platform, mainly targeting the local youth population.

Commenting on this significant milestone in the local telecom market, engineer Maziad Alharbi, CEO of stc, said, “In line with our commitment to assist in the development of the Kuwaiti economy, we are proud to partner with a prominent global brand to engage in a new market layer within the local telecom sector. stc's well-built network infrastructure will provide Virgin Mobile Kuwait with high quality advanced service to meet the diverse needs of its customers, specially focusing on the youth.”

Alharbi expressed that through this partnership, Virgin Mobile Kuwait aims to provide users with accessible and customized services.  The online pre-paid plan services will allow digital subscribers to take full control of their monthly bills and add ons. He also mentioned that this initiative falls in line with stc’s commitment to enable digital transformation in Kuwait, providing customers and the people of Kuwait with pioneering telecom and digital solutions that meet and exceed their expectations.

Alharbi added, “I would also like to thank and extend my sincere gratitude to CITRA, as this would not be possible without their guidance and support. CITRA’s role in backing the telecom sector has enabled local providers to operate in line with international standards. They have continuously supported the various initiatives initiated by local telecom providers to expand their offerings and capitalize on lucrative opportunities that have proved beneficial for the providers and the community.”

Erik Dudman Nielsen, Founder & Chief Executive Officer of Virgin Mobile Middle East & Africa, said, “We are very excited about launching Virgin Mobile in Kuwait. This forms part of our ongoing commitment to providing customers with innovative digital propositions, transforming the traditional mobile experience. We have no doubt that Virgin Mobile will introduce a new era for mobile connectivity with customer-led services, enabling a seamless customer experience.”

Virgin Mobile Middle East and Africa has established a leading position across the Middle East and Africa region. Currently operating in Saudi Arabia, Oman and providing advisory services to Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (EITC) in the UAE, Virgin Mobile Middle East & Africa has been catering to a continuously growing number of mobile users offering world-class products and services since 2007, serving more than 3 million customers across the region.

Ends

About stc

Kuwait Telecommunications Company (stc) is a Kuwaiti shareholding company incorporated pursuant to Amiri Decree No. 187 on 22 July, 2008, to operate and manage the third GSM mobile network in Kuwait as per Law No. 2 of 2007. Accordingly, stc launched its operations in December 2008 and was listed on Boursa Kuwait in December 2014. It is a world-class digital leader providing innovative services and platforms to customers and enabling the digital transformation in Kuwait, and is a subsidiary of stc Group. stc has rapidly reached a leadership stance in the market through its customer and employee centric strategy.

stc offers an innovative range of world-class products, services and solutions with high quality, that cater to the customers’ needs and demands, both for individuals and enterprises (solutions by stc). In 2019, stc acquired 100% of the share capital of the Internet Service Provider, Qualitynet General Trading and Contracting Company (solutions by stc) in Kuwait.

stc offers high internet speeds due to the implementation of the most advanced 5G network and deployment of the largest network nationwide.

About CITRA

The Communication and Information Technology Regulatory Authority (CITRA)​ was established in 2014 and is responsible for overseeing the telecommunications sector, monitor and protect the interests of users and service providers and regulate the services of telecommunication networks in the country, while ensuring transparency, equality of opportunity and fair competition. Some of CITRA’s primary functions include: ​

  • Protecting​ consumer affairs
  • Regulating services, tariffs, and rates within the ICT sector.
  • Encouraging competition and investment in the ICT sector and preventing unfair competition.
  • Regulating and licensing telecommunications services.​

CITRA oversees four ICT subsectors, and they are:

  • Telecommunications Sector
  • Operators and Fair Competition Sector​
  • Information Technology (IT) Sector
  • Administrative and Financial Affairs Sector​

About Virgin Mobile Middle East & Africa

Virgin Mobile Middle East & Africa is part of the Virgin family group of companies. Virgin Mobile Middle East & Africa is responsible for all Virgin Mobile operations in the Middle East and Africa region, and is headquartered in Dubai, UAE.

Virgin Mobile Middle East & Africa has been operating in the region since 2007 and operates the two consumer brands of Virgin Mobile and FRiENDi Mobile. Partnering with telecom operators across the region, the Virgin Mobile Middle East & Africa team provides customers with innovative products and packages designed to make their mobile experience better. We work closely with other Virgin companies across the world to make sure we can create experiences for our customers which surprise and delight them, and which cannot be matched.

Virgin Mobile is one of the businesses of the Virgin Group, a leading international branded investment company and one of the world's most recognized and respected brands. Conceived in 1970 by Sir Richard Branson, the Virgin branded businesses span multiple sectors: Travel & Leisure, Health & Wellness, Music & Entertainment, Telecoms & Media, Financial Services and Space. For more information visit virgin.com.

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