Kuwait’s Communications and Information Technology Regulatory Authority (CITRA) has introduced a comprehensive new regulatory framework for mobile number portability (MNP), aimed at enhancing competition in the telecom market and giving users greater flexibility to switch providers while retaining their numbers.
The regulation sets out detailed technical, procedural, and regulatory requirements governing number portability, clearly defining the roles and responsibilities of licensed telecom operators and intermediaries. It also includes safeguards to protect user rights, ensure transparency, maintain data confidentiality, and align implementation with CITRA’s regulatory best practices.
Under the new rules, users of prepaid, postpaid, and data-only lines can transfer their numbers after 50 days from initial activation. Subsequent transfers are permitted after 90 days from the previous switch. Customers are also allowed to change their subscription type between prepaid and postpaid during the portability process.
The framework introduces a “one station” model, under which the receiving operator manages the entire transfer process and automatically cancels the user’s existing contract once the transfer is completed. Number transfers must be finalized within 12 hours, and users may choose a transfer date within 30 days of submitting their request.
CITRA has capped the portability fee at a maximum of five Kuwaiti dinars per successful transfer, payable only to the receiving operator. Donor operators are prohibited from charging any fees. The regulator also reserves the right to revise the maximum fee in the future. Telecom operators are barred from contacting users to influence their decision or offering incentives unless explicitly approved by CITRA.
The regulation further mandates licensed intermediaries to operate a central number portability database and submit regular performance reports. Violations of the framework may result in penalties under Kuwait’s Telecommunications Law No. 37 of 2014 and its amendments.
