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Zain: Kuwait’s Fastest Network wins five global awards from Ookla® Speedtest®

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Zain has added another illustrious chapter to its success story, reaffirming its leadership in Kuwait’s telecom and ICT sector, becoming the first and only company in the country to win five global awards in a single year from Ookla Speedtest — the world’s leading platform for network intelligence, testing, and analytics. These awards recognize Zain’s performance for the third and fourth quarters of 2024.

 Zain secured the titles of Fastest Mobile Network, Best 5G Gaming Experience, Best 5G Video Experience, Best Mobile Network, and Fastest Fixed Internet, after achieving the highest scores in Ookla’s analyses, based on hundreds of thousands of consumer-initiated tests across Kuwait. These tests covered all major telecom networks nationwide during the evaluation period, with Zain emerging as the clear leader in every category — cementing its position at the top across multiple performance fronts.

 This achievement highlights Zain’s leadership and commitment to investing in cutting-edge technologies, empowering the digital lifestyles of the largest customer base in Kuwait. It builds on the success story Zain began when it became the first operator to commercially launch 5G in Kuwait in 2019. Zain remains steadfast in investing heavily in its digital infrastructure to deliver the latest solutions and services that meet the aspirations of its customers.

 On this occasion, Nawaf Al-Gharabally, CEO of Zain Kuwait, stated: “We are proud to write a new chapter in Zain’s ongoing success story. This unprecedented achievement reaffirms what we always claim: Zain is Kuwait’s fastest and leading network. We have once again proven our market leadership, strengthening our top position in a fiercely competitive and operationally demanding market.”

 He added: “This accomplishment is the result of the dedication and creativity of our national workforce, whom we are immensely proud of. It is also a direct translation of our new 4WARD strategy – ‘Progress with Purpose,’ through which we look to maximize our full potential as a customer-centric, future-proof, and impactful leading regional TechCo. These awards also serve as a clear endorsement from our customers, as they are primarily based on user-initiated tests, making this recognition all the more meaningful.”

 Al-Gharabally continued: “This success goes beyond operational and technical excellence. Our continued investment in employee development and human capital is a key pillar in realizing our vision and maintaining our leadership. Our unwavering focus on enhancing the customer experience and placing them at the heart of everything we do has directly contributed to strengthening our brand position, and it is recognitions like these that reflect our efforts.”

 He further noted: “At Zain, we see ourselves as a responsible organization, enthusiastically contributing to Kuwait’s vision of building a robust digital infrastructure and advancing the nation’s developmental goals. We affirm our full technical, operational, and commercial readiness to launch the next generation of 5G (5.5G). The coming phase requires total readiness, and we view this achievement as a steppingstone toward this major transformation.”

 Stephen Bye, President and CEO of Ookla, a division of Ziff Davis, commented: “We are proud to recognize Zain for winning the Speedtest Award for ‘Fastest Mobile Network,’ ‘Best 5G Gaming Experience,’ ‘Best 5G Video Experience,’ ‘Best Mobile Network,’ and ‘Fastest Fixed Internet’ in Kuwait for Q3 and Q4 of 2024. This recognition is a testament to Zain’s industry leadership performance, as validated by Ookla’s trusted methodology.”

 Ookla is a global leader in connectivity intelligence, providing consumers, businesses, and organizations with data-driven insights to improve network performance and connected experiences. Ookla helps its clients efficiently solve their biggest connectivity challenges and drive innovation forward.

 Ookla is a division of Ziff Davis (NASDAQ: ZD), a vertically focused digital media and internet company whose portfolio includes leading brands across technology, entertainment, shopping, health, cybersecurity, and martech sectors. Ookla’s world-renowned brands include Speedtest, Downdetector, Ekahau, RootMetrics, and more.

 For the full details of Ookla’s methodology, visit: Speedtest.net/awards.

 

Fastest Mobile Network

 Ookla compared over 700,000 consumer-initiated speed tests in Kuwait via its leading Speedtest platform, widely recognized globally, through iOS and Android apps, covering all major networks in the country during the award period.

 Zain outperformed all other networks with a Speed Score of 273.37, featuring a median download speed of 263.71 Mbps and a median upload speed of 27.11 Mbps. The final result was calculated based on several scientific benchmarks, with a focus on download and median speeds — the metrics that matter most to consumers daily.

 As Kuwait’s fastest mobile network, Zain enables its customers to download content faster, stream videos seamlessly, and browse the web without lag, anytime and anywhere on their smartphones. These ultra-high speeds ensure that customers can rely on their mobile network for a premium, stable connection on the go, enhancing their productivity and keeping them connected to what matters most.

 

Fastest Fixed Internet

 Ookla compared over two million consumer-initiated tests of fixed network speeds in Kuwait across its various Speedtest platforms, including tests conducted over smartphones connected to Wi-Fi networks.

 Zain outperformed all other networks with a Speed Score of 197.72, achieving top download speeds of 531.21 Mbps and top upload speeds of 85.18 Mbps. The final result was calculated based on several scientific benchmarks, with a focus on download and median speeds — essential factors for daily consumer use.

 Fixed networks offer ultra-fast speeds and low latency, making them ideal for gaming enthusiasts. Zain’s advanced network provides a variety of packages tailored to this customer segment, ensuring the best experience. The company also offers a wide range of gaming products, from high-end PCs to original accessories and more.

 By delivering Kuwait’s fastest fixed Internet, Zain provides households with ultra-fast connectivity, ideal for remote work, streaming high-definition content, online gaming, and all daily digital needs. This superiority ensures Zain’s customers enjoy smooth, reliable home internet, even during peak usage times.

 

Best 5G Video Experience

 Ookla compared thousands of tests across its Speedtest platform on 5G networks, with Zain outperforming all other networks, scoring 85.77 in the video test. The final result was based on video streaming performance indicators, measuring several key performance metrics during high-resolution video playback.

 Zain offers its customers the largest entertainment content library through its strategic partnerships with leading entertainment platforms in the Middle East and globally, providing thousands of hours of entertainment and sports content over Kuwait’s largest network — ensuring the best viewing experience for users to enjoy their favorite content anytime and anywhere.

 Zain’s customers benefit from the best 5G video experience, enjoying ultra-HD streaming with instant playback and zero buffering. This video streaming quality means users can enjoy digital entertainment on the go with the same smoothness as home connections. With Zain’s advanced 5G network, customers get an unprecedented entertainment experience, reflecting the outstanding capabilities of the infrastructure the company has heavily invested in.

 

Best 5G Gaming Experience

 Ookla compared thousands of tests across its Speedtest platform on 5G networks, with Zain outperforming all other networks, scoring 84.99 in the gaming test. The final result was based on gaming performance indicators, including latency and jitter measurements from real-world game servers, alongside user-generated performance metrics.

 Zain delivers the best 5G gaming experience for mobile gaming enthusiasts, thanks to its extremely high speeds and ultra-low latency. This means gamers can enjoy immersive, responsive gameplay with instant reaction times, even in competitive games requiring direct online interaction.

 This achievement highlights Zain’s deep understanding of the gaming community’s needs, providing them with a competitive edge and seamless, uninterrupted gaming — making Zain the preferred choice for serious gamers.

 

Best Mobile Network

 As the recipient of the Best Mobile Network award, Zain offers wide and reliable coverage backed by top speeds and consistent performance at all times. This level of service ensures customers enjoy an unparalleled mobile experience, with stable connectivity, excellent call quality, and the highest internet speeds nationwide. Zain’s customers benefit from a unique experience that combines speed, reliability, and continuity, anywhere across Kuwait.

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CMA launches regulatory framework for emerging companies on KSE

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CMA launches regulatory framework for emerging companies on KSE

Kuwait enhances Stock Exchange access for emerging firms with amendments to listing rules.

KUWAIT CITY, July 1: Kuwait’s Capital Markets Authority (CMA) has officially launched a new regulatory environment to support the listing and trading of emerging companies on the Kuwait Stock Exchange (KSE), in cooperation with Boursa Kuwait. The initiative includes the creation of a dedicated platform for these companies, alongside key amendments to existing listing rules.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the CMA confirmed that the move is part of broader efforts to adopt international best practices, promote capital market development, diversify investment tools, and enhance both market competitiveness and transparency — all aimed at bolstering investor protection.

The approved amendments focus on strengthening listing standards by requiring companies to maintain certain conditions, including minimum thresholds for free float shares and their market value. These measures are designed to improve liquidity and ensure sustained compliance with regulatory obligations.

The Authority emphasized that supporting emerging companies is crucial to driving economic growth and aligns with Kuwait’s broader strategic vision. The newly launched market will offer an attractive financing environment for smaller and growing enterprises while providing investors with fresh opportunities governed by high transparency standards.

The regulatory framework is the result of a comprehensive study conducted by the CMA, which formed the basis for drafting specific rules to govern the emerging companies market. The platform is intended to serve as both a support system for these businesses and a dynamic investment space in line with global benchmarks.

The CMA also underscored the importance of continuously evolving the rules that govern listing conditions. This includes safeguarding investor interests by removing companies that fail to meet their obligations and ensuring adequate liquidity by enforcing minimum requirements for free float shares in both the primary and secondary market segments.

Additionally, the Authority reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing executive regulations that protect investors and empower small shareholders to actively participate in corporate decision-making processes.

This latest move is seen as a significant step toward further modernizing Kuwait’s financial sector and creating a more inclusive and diversified capital market landscape.

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Second phase of merging Kuwait oil companies underway

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KUWAIT CITY, June 30: In preparation for the second phase of merging the subsidiaries of the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC), informed sources revealed that the executive phase of merging Gulf Oil Company with Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) has begun through the transfer of the corporation’s shares in the capital of the Gulf Oil Company to KOC. They highlighted a meeting held recently between the two companies’ CEOs to start making administrative decisions regarding this matter. The sources explained that the second phase, following the initial merger of KIPIC with the Kuwait National Petroleum Company, is part of KPC’s strategy to restructure the oil sector. This phase commenced with a meeting between KOC’s CEO Ahmed Al-Eidan, acting CEO of Gulf Oil Company Bader Al-Munaifi, and representatives from the oil sector’s leadership and workforce. The meeting also discussed the implications of Decision No. 60/2024, issued on May 5, 2024, concerning the transfer of KPC’s ownership of shares. ‘

Al-Eidan affirmed the importance of job stability and preserving all benefits of Gulf Oil employees. It was decided that the legal and administrative status of Gulf Oil Company will remain unchanged at this stage, including the company’s name, logo, and operational sites at its headquarters and joint operations in Khafji and Al-Wafra. The sources clarified that Al-Eidan indicated the change is limited solely to the transfer of share ownership, with KOC becoming the owning entity instead of KPC. Consequently, the highest authority will be the Board of Directors of KOC, without affecting daily operations or the current institutional structure.

By Najeh Bilal
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff 

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Kuwait enhances laws to combat money laundering and terror funding

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Kuwait enhances laws to combat money laundering and terror funding

The Kuwait government approves tougher measures to tackle financial crimes.

KUWAIT CITY, June 30: Kuwait is intensifying efforts to combat money laundering and terrorist financing by enhancing its legislative framework, announced Minister of Finance and Minister of State for Economic Affairs and Investment Noura Al-Fassam on Monday.

The minister spoke in a statement issued by the Ministry of Finance following the publication of Decree Law No. (76) of 2025 in the official gazette, Kuwait Today. This decree introduces important amendments to Law No. (106) of 2013, reflecting Kuwait’s integrated government efforts to strengthen measures against financial crimes.

During the Cabinet meeting on June 17, the draft of the amended decree law was approved, underlining Kuwait’s commitment to raising the effectiveness of the national response to money laundering and terrorism financing. The amendments align with the requirements of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and relevant international standards.

The new decree law includes two significant amendments:

  • Article One replaces Article (25) of Law No. (106) of 2013, empowering the Council of Ministers, upon the recommendation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, to issue necessary decisions to implement United Nations Security Council resolutions related to terrorism, terrorism financing, and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction under Chapter VII of the UN Charter. These decisions will take effect immediately upon issuance, consistent with Security Council Resolution No. 1373 of 2001. The executive regulations will define the rules for publishing these decisions, appealing them, authorizing the release of frozen funds for essential living expenses, and managing such assets.n
  • Article Two adds a new Article (33 bis) to Law No. (106) of 2013, stating that any violation of decisions issued under Article (25) will result in fines ranging from 10,000 to 500,000 Kuwaiti dinars per violation. This penalty complements any additional sanctions imposed by regulatory authorities on financial institutions or designated non-financial businesses.n

The Ministry emphasized that these amendments support the National Committee for Combating Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing by broadening its powers to apply targeted financial sanctions in compliance with FATF standards. This includes the mandatory freezing of assets belonging to individuals and entities listed locally as terrorists, effective immediately upon decision issuance.

Furthermore, the amendments enable the Committee to impose fines on violators and require publishing the national list of designated terrorists on the Committee’s official website, enhancing transparency and meeting international obligations.

Minister Al-Fassam concluded that the updated legislative measures reaffirm Kuwait’s strong commitment to fighting financial crimes, safeguarding national security and stability, and fulfilling its global responsibilities.

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