Kuwait’s Communications and Information Technology Regulatory Authority (CITRA) has unveiled draft regulations aimed at governing mobile and virtual telecommunications service distributors, crucial intermediaries delivering services on behalf of licensed telecom operators. This initiative seeks to enhance transparency, governance, and service quality in Kuwait’s rapidly evolving telecom sector.
The draft, titled “Regulations for Mobile and Virtual Telecommunications Services Distributors,” is currently open for public consultation, emphasizing CITRA’s participatory approach. Stakeholders—including telecom operators, legal experts, and distributors—are invited to provide feedback to ensure balanced regulation that encourages investment while facilitating ease of doing business.
Key licensing requirements for authorized distributors include having a valid commercial license, operational presence with at least ten branches, formal agreements with telecom operators, workforce quota compliance, submission of detailed business and technical plans, and payment of a KWD 5,000 non-refundable fee plus a bank guarantee. Licenses will be valid for one year and processed within 21 business days.
The draft outlines obligations for telecom providers, mandating exclusive collaboration with CITRA-licensed distributors, system integration, regular reporting, service activation controls, and transparency in commission structures. Authorized distributors must comply with strict operational standards including prohibitions on subcontracting, employee identification, cybersecurity measures, and surveillance at points of sale.
General provisions stipulate shared accountability for regulatory compliance, mandatory integration with CITRA’s monitoring systems, and Authority oversight over contractual changes. CITRA positions itself as the sole authority approving service allocations and regulating pricing, underscoring its commitment to fostering fair competition and an investor-friendly telecom environment.
The consultation period allows industry and public input before finalizing the regulation, marking a significant step in modernizing Kuwait’s telecom distribution framework.
