KUWAIT – The Kuwait Authority for Partnership Projects (KAPP) has received conditional approval from the State Audit Bureau (SAB) to award a contract for the development of the country’s fixed-line telecommunications network at a total cost of KD19.928 million.
KAPP submitted the tender to SAB on January 14 for pre-audit and review procedures, paving the way for contract approval and the start of implementation. The project is being executed in coordination with the Ministry of Communications as a strategic initiative to modernize and expand Kuwait’s fixed-line infrastructure.
The selected company will be responsible for operating the ministry’s existing network and expanding coverage nationwide. The scope of the project includes design, financing, construction, operation, maintenance, and transformation of both active and passive network infrastructure, including copper fixed-line systems.
The initiative aims to significantly improve high-speed internet services and enhance user experience while supporting advanced digital applications. It is also expected to facilitate e-government services and strengthen digital transformation efforts under Kuwait’s broader development agenda.
According to a KAPP report, the upgraded network will initially deliver speeds of up to 10 gigabits per second. Fibre-optic deployment is planned to reach at least 90 percent of homes by 2028, offering improved commercial packages and service quality for subscribers.
The project encompasses active infrastructure components such as transformers, ONT and OLT equipment, as well as passive infrastructure including central exchanges, buildings, local exchange spaces, routes, cables, dark fibre and copper networks.
Authorities expect the initiative to enhance economic competitiveness by enabling businesses to leverage modern communication technologies and attract investment. It is also aligned with smart city ambitions by providing infrastructure capable of supporting next-generation technologies.
A key element of the project is workforce localisation, with a target of at least 65 percent Kuwaiti employment, contributing to the development of national expertise in the telecommunications sector.
The project is also anticipated to support the Ministry of Communications’ revenues, which have declined in recent years due to reduced reliance on traditional fixed-line telephone services.
