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

Published

3 months ago

April 19, 2025

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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.

Related Topics:Awards Fastest global Kuwaits Network Ookla Speedtest wins Zain

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Safe-haven gold rockets to KD 32.89 in Kuwait

Published

9 hours ago

July 6, 2025

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KUWAIT CITY, July 6: Global gold prices witnessed a significant increase at the close of the first week of July, with the price of an ounce reaching $3,337, driven by intertwined economic and political factors that pushed investors toward gold as a haven. According to a report issued on Sunday by Dar Al- Sabaek Company in Kuwait, precious metals prices reflected global movements in the local market.

The price of 24-karat gold reached KD 32.890 (about $107), 22-karat gold was priced at KD 30.150 per gram (roughly $98), and the price of one kilogram of silver remained steady at KD 407 (around $1,329). For reference, the ounce (troy ounce), also called “awqiya”, is a unit of mass used in measuring precious metals. It equals 28.349 grams in general measurement, but 31.103 grams specifically when measuring precious metals. The report explained that growing concerns over the expanding U.S. fiscal deficit played a key role in boosting gold prices. This followed the U.S. House of Representatives’ approval of a tax cut and spending expansion package proposed by President Donald Trump’s administration.

The package is expected to increase public debt by more than $3.4 trillion over the next decade, according to estimates by the Congressional Budget Office and the Joint Committee on Taxation. This development weakened the U.S. dollar’s performance, prompting investors to increase gold holdings as protection against market volatility and the reduced purchasing power of the US dollar. The report also highlighted the rising trade tensions after President Trump announced plans to issue formal notifications to several countries about new tariffs, which could potentially reach 70 percent, set to take effect in early August. This move stirred investor fears of a further deterioration in the global trade environment.

Without trade agreements by July 9, this escalation could trigger a wave of retaliatory tariffs from nearly 100 countries, according to U.S. Treasury Secretary statements. The uncertainty bolstered gold’s appeal as a hedge during this turbulent period. In addition, the U.S. dollar index dropped to 97 points against major currencies, providing extra support to gold prices. Reduced liquidity in U.S. markets due to the Independence Day holiday helped ease selling pressure during the week’s final sessions. However, positive U.S. labor market data slowed gold’s rise.

saw an addition of 147,000 jobs, and the unemployment rate fell to 4.1 percent, reducing expectations of an immediate interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve. The report also noted that 10-year U.S. Treasury yields climbed to 4.338 percent, exerting further pressure on gold prices in recent sessions. Despite the U.S. market holiday, gold remained sensitive to economic and political developments amid declining risk appetite and investor anticipation of upcoming monetary policy decisions from central banks worldwide. Markets now await the release of the minutes of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting, weekly U.S. jobless claims data, and monetary policy announcements from several major central banks worldwide (KUNA)

Business

Kuwait Fund and UK’s FCDO sign MoUs for humanitarian aid to Sudan, Somalia

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10 hours ago

July 6, 2025

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KUWAIT CITY, July 6: The Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) and the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) have signed two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) to provide joint emergency humanitarian assistance to conflict-affected communities in the Republic of Sudan and the Federal Republic of Somalia. The signing ceremony took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kuwait.

The MoUs were signed by H.E. Mr. Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya, Arab Economic Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, on behalf of the Kuwait Fund, and by H.E. Mr. David Lammy, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, on behalf of the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.

Under this renewed partnership, the Kuwait Fund and the UK FCDO will jointly contribute USD 10 million (USD 5 million from each side) to support UNICEF’s humanitarian operations in Sudan. The grant will help sustain critical services in healthcare, nutrition, water and sanitation, and child protection – ensuring continuity of life-saving interventions for vulnerable populations.

In addition, both parties will provide a further USD 5 million (USD 2.5 million from each) to support a joint project with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Somalia, aimed at restoring essential services in marginalized and conflict-affected areas. Acting Director General of the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, Mr. Waleed Shamlan Al-Bahar, affirmed that the MoUs reflect the Fund’s commitment to strengthening international partnerships across humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding sectors.

He noted that cooperation with the UK will facilitate knowledge exchange and enable coordinated action to assist the most vulnerable, thereby enhancing the impact of humanitarian efforts in Sudan and Somalia and reinforcing Kuwait’s leadership in global humanitarian response. Commenting on the partnership, Mr. Mamadou Sow, Head of the ICRC’s Regional Delegation to the Gulf Cooperation Council, said: “Today’s partnership with the Kuwait Fund and the UK’s FCDO reflects a united commitment to humanity.

This grant is not just financial support—it’s a clear message that the lives of people in Somalia matter. Together, we are helping restore essential services in communities too often left behind. It’s a testament to Kuwait’s enduring humanitarian leadership and the UK’s steadfast role in advancing global solidarity.” The signed MoUs build on a cooperation framework established in February 2020 between the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development and the United Kingdom’s former Department for International Development, reflecting a sustained commitment to coordinated humanitarian efforts that support refugees, displaced populations, and crisis affected communities worldwide.

Business

CAPT bars 6 firms from disability tender

Published

11 hours ago

July 6, 2025

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KUWAIT CITY, July 6: The Central Agency for Public Tenders (CAPT) has excluded six companies from bidding on a major procurement of prosthetic devices for individuals with disabilities, including wheelchairs, hearing aids, and other assistive technologies. Sources disclosed that out of the original 16 companies, only 10 remain to compete for the contracts expected to be worth millions of Kuwaiti dinars. Following the exclusions, CAPT forwarded the remaining bids to the authority. The Financial and Administrative Affairs Sector reviewed the offers thoroughly from both the financial and technical perspectives.

Based on this evaluation, the authority recommended awarding the contract to the companies that offered the most competitive prices and met the technical specifications in line with international standards and the needs of individuals with disabilities. Specialists in prosthetics and orthopedic medicine contributed to the project by developing around 35 models of wheelchairs tailored to various types of disabilities. They also selected the latest high-quality hearing aids to ensure optimal comfort and performance for users. The new procurement process introduces a mechanism aimed at resolving longstanding delays, with the goal of ending the suffering of hundreds of individuals who have been waiting for several years to receive essential devices. This mechanism is designed to accelerate the delivery and disbursement of assistive equipment.

The political leadership is keen on supporting persons with disabilities through the improvement of services and expediting related procedures. In another development, the Educational and Rehabilitation Services Sector at PADA continues to accept applications for external scholarships for the 2025/2026 academic year. The application window, coordinated in advance with the Ministry of Higher Education, was open from June 10-29. A total of 50 scholarship seats have been allocated for students with disabilities as per the regulations and eligibility criteria