KUWAIT CITY – The Communications and Information Technology Regulatory Authority (CITRA) has introduced a draft regulation titled “Regulations for Mobile and Virtual Telecommunications Services Distributors,” marking a significant step toward regulating telecom service distributors in Kuwait. These distributors are vital intermediaries delivering mobile and virtual communication services on behalf of licensed providers.
The draft regulation is now open for public consultation, reflecting CITRA’s commitment to transparency, stakeholder engagement, and enhancing service standards amid Kuwait’s ongoing digital transformation. CITRA emphasized that no final decisions will be made without input from telecom operators, technical and legal experts, distributors, and other relevant parties.
Key licensing requirements for authorized distributors include:
- Holding a valid commercial license (LLC or joint-stock company)
- Having preliminary agreements with licensed telecom operators
- Maintaining at least ten operational branches across Kuwait
- Submitting comprehensive business and technical proposals
- Compliance with national workforce quotas
- Payment of a non-refundable annual license fee of KWD 5,000 plus a matching unconditional bank guarantee
- One-year renewable license validity
Applications will be processed within 21 business days, with no response interpreted as rejection. Approved applicants must finalize license contracts before commencing operations.
Under the draft, telecom providers must work exclusively with CITRA-licensed distributors, integrate distributor systems into their platforms, conduct regular reporting, and ensure distributors meet technical and training standards. Distributors must avoid subcontracting, notify CITRA prior to agreement changes, maintain employee identification and surveillance systems, implement cybersecurity measures, and comply with labor regulations.
General provisions include shared accountability for regulatory compliance, mandatory integration with CITRA monitoring systems, authority oversight on contracts, and adherence to regulated pricing.
CITRA aims to foster a competitive, high-quality, and investor-friendly telecom sector through this regulatory framework. The Authority encourages industry and public feedback during the consultation period before finalizing the rules.
