Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Kuwait’s CITRA has proposed a new draft regulation to oversee mobile and virtual telecom service distributors, focusing on licensing, operational standards, and enhanced oversight. The initiative promotes transparency, fair competition, and improved service quality, inviting stakeholder input before finalization.
Bahrain’s Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications, Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, visited Kuwait to strengthen bilateral cooperation in transportation, telecommunications, infrastructure, and digital transformation. The meetings with key Kuwaiti officials focused on enhancing regional connectivity, AI integration, maritime safety, and sustainable development goals for both countries.
Kuwait has launched a crackdown on cryptocurrency miners, accusing them of contributing to power shortages that cause blackouts. The operation has targeted homes in Al-Wafrah, with energy consumption in the area falling by 55%. Despite no laws specifically regulating mining, Kuwait aims to ease pressure on its power grid.
Visa’s latest ‘Stay Secure’ study shows that 94 percent of Kuwaiti consumers are taking extra steps to secure their digital transactions. The study also reveals a significant rise in confidence towards digital payments, with 79 percent of consumers expecting increased usage, despite the growing scope of digital fraud.
Microsoft has partnered with the Government of Kuwait to establish an AI-powered Azure Region, driving digital transformation and AI innovation aligned with Kuwait’s Vision 2035. The initiative will provide scalable cloud services, support startups, enhance public services, and promote economic growth, positioning Kuwait as a regional AI technology leader.
CITRA in Kuwait has introduced draft regulations for licensing wireless and internet service providers, setting annual license fees at KD 75,000 and KD 98,000, respectively. The regulations include requirements for bank guarantees, blocking harmful content, and approval processes. These new rules aim to regulate and enhance the local internet service sector.
Kuwait has partnered with Microsoft to drive digital transformation and economic diversification through AI technologies. The partnership aims to enhance innovation, entrepreneurship, and workforce development in emerging technologies, along with creating a security platform for national infrastructure. The government will also implement Microsoft 365 Copilot solutions for greater efficiency.
Visa has introduced its Tap to Add Card feature in Kuwait, revolutionizing digital payments by allowing users to seamlessly and securely add Visa contactless cards to digital wallets. This feature enhances convenience, reduces fraud risk, and simplifies card onboarding for both users and issuers, supporting the future of frictionless payments.
Kuwait has seen a 25% reduction in traffic violations following the implementation of AI-powered road surveillance cameras. These cameras have successfully detected violations like mobile phone use and seatbelt non-compliance, recording over 40,000 infractions in just 20 days, contributing to improved road safety and compliance with traffic laws.
Zain has been honored with the titles of Best Telecom Company and Best Digital Transformation Company at the 2024 Excellence Awards in Dubai. This marks the sixth consecutive win for Zain, reflecting its leadership in the telecom sector, digital innovation, and its significant contributions to Kuwait’s economic growth.