Zain, the leading digital service provider in Kuwait, announced that its network is fully ready for the commercial launch of fifth generation wireless technology (5G) to be the first operator to offer 5G technology in the GCC region via the Kuwaiti market with nationwide coverage of all areas.

Zain unveiled that it succeeded in designing an integrated network for 5G services built on a world-class infrastructure, fully launching the company’s potential within the digital community and further reinforcing its leadership in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector.

Zain has always been one of the first companies to offer the latest generations of telecommunications technologies. As the telecom sector is currently directing towards digital transformation with significant pace, it is evident that current mobile telecom networks will not be capable of satisfying the future needs of the sector with what is currently available. For that, Zain’s impending commercial launch of 5G services comes to keep up with the fast-paced and ever-evolving lifestyle patterns of the community on all levels.

The company announced the readiness of its network for the commercial launch of 5G services after the official announcement made by Kuwait’s Communication and Information Technology Regulatory Authority (CITRA) to grant Zain the needed licenses for telecom operators to launch 5G services in the Kuwaiti market. In previous statements, Chairman and CEO of CITRA Salim Al Othaina stressed on the importance of 5G technology, describing it as being vital in benefiting consumers and operators alike, as well as being crucial to the further development of the telecom sector in the country.

CITRA has specified the 3.5 GHz C-BAND bandwidth for the operation of 5G technology in Kuwait, a step that will allow a great leap for the advancing of the Kuwaiti telecom sector, especially that it coincides with the country’s preparations for the “regional corridor” telecom project. The project, which aims at highlighting Kuwait’s leading role in information and communication technology, works to make the country a centralized hub for data and digital content by linking international maritime cables between the East and West regions. The project will ultimately contribute to enriching the investment ecosystem for global corporations, as well as enhance business environments.

Zain Vice-Chairman and Group CEO Bader Nasser Al Kharafi expressed his gratitude and utmost appreciation to H.H. the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Mubarak Al Hamad Al Sabah and H.E. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Anas Al Saleh for the state’s support represented by CITRA. Al Kharafi also valued the support of CITRA Chairman and CEO Salem Al Othaina, as well as his vision in market outlook and telecom sector leadership by offering the latest and most advanced technologies. Al Kharafi commended the decisions that contribute to the continuous development of the telecom sector.

Commenting on CITRA’s decision to grant 5G technology licenses, Al Kharafi said: “Zain’s network is ready for the commercial launch of fifth generation wireless technology (5G). We are proud to be the first operator to offer 5G services in the GCC region and Kuwait, a crucial step that will allow us to offer the most innovative products and services to our customers in consumer, business, IoT, and smart cities sectors,” said Al Kharafi.

He further noted: “being a company that continuously seeks to adopt flexible tech solutions, we will work on meeting the growing demand for data services by exploring the new business environments this advanced technology will offer. We believe offering innovative solutions for the business sector will be an essential part of the strategic direction of our operations”.

Al Kharafi added: “we heavily invested in developing our network to keep up with the latest advances of the ever-changing telecom technologies worldwide. It is true that such investments came at a high cost, but Kuwaiti people and all those who reside in Kuwait deserve the best services and the most advanced technologies out there. For this, we have been preparing for this step throughout the past two years by developing the infrastructure of our 5G network, as well as implementing many expansion projects for fiber optic networks”.

Al Kharafi pointed out that 5G technologies will allow Zain to launch its full potential in its digital transformation journey, where this new technology will lead the next wave of change. In this regard, the company considers itself an active partner of the public sector in contributing to the achievement of the Kuwait National Development Plan (New Kuwait) that stems from His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah’s conceptualized vision of a new Kuwait by 2035.

Al Kharafi also noted: “as part of these efforts, we have achieved advancements in our initiatives that focus on quality, efficiency, and digital innovation, such as elevating customer experience, enhancing smart capital expenditures, working on innovating new business environments for safe and smart city projects, and more. Such practices have empowered and positioned us as leaders in digital innovation”.

With the widespread use of smart devices, the increasingly fast-paced direction towards smart lifestyles, as well as the lucrative opportunities presented by digital services particularly in the profitable business sector, mobile operators are encouraged to reinforce their investments in the telecom sector.

Reports and forecasts refer to the huge potentials that will be offered by 5G technology, as well as the many opportunities it will offer for the various industries, such as e-commerce, retail, government transactions, energy, public and safety facilities, healthcare, public transportation, media, entertainment, and financial services. Furthermore, 5G services will enhance essential services, and will further push the telecom sector to a new phase of growth.

5G technologies will offer ultimate access, where people and smart devices within the community will communicate with each other in entirely new fashions. The flow of information will be smooth and continuous, while the highest degrees of coverage and unlimited speeds will be possible with this generation of networks.

The real value of digital information lies not just within the information itself, but rather in the new innovative services that can be obtained from them. The nourishment of digital economy will be possible, as well as achieving positive change in manufacturing methods, current lifestyles, and more. All this will ultimately enhance the lives of people for the better.