STC Kuwait, Virgin Mobile receive Kuwait’s first MVNO license

STC Kuwait and Virgin Mobile Middle East and Africa (VMMEA) announced on Sunday that they have received approval of a license as Kuwait’s first virtual network operator (MVNO) from the country’s Communication and Information Technology Regulatory Authority (CITRA).

The announcement, made during a press conference attended by senior government and industry figures, will allow STC to launch the first MVNO called Virgin Mobile Kuwait.

Virgin Mobile Kuwait will operate using STC’s network, with the operator acting as a Host Facilities Based Provider “FBP” for Virgin Mobile Kuwait, offering prepaid plans to users, making it the first virtual telecom service provider in Kuwait.

The combination of VNMEA’s leading MVNO and digital innovator with STC’s strong network infrastructure will allow them to provide unparalleled customer experience within this market, transforming the user and on-demand experience for pre-paid mobile users through a range of digital solutions.

“Stemming from CITRA’s goal of promoting positive competition, we are glad to license the first MNVO to Virgin Mobile Kuwait. We are also glad to see the entry of a reputable international investor such as Virgin International in bringing their digital expertise to the Kuwaiti market. This move will surely contribute greatly to the telecom sector in raising the quality of service and overall customer experience,” Salim Muthib Al-Ozainah, Chairman and CEO of CITRA, said in a statement.

It is worth mentioning that the previously established consortium led by VMMEA included STC as a strategic partner to provide a range of new-to-market fully digital consumer services in the Kuwaiti telecom sector.

“The license is pursuant to the agreement for the provision and resale of the services necessary to allow the reselling of services to end-users and operate as a business,” the statement noted.

It further highlighted that Virgin Mobile Kuwait aims to launch its innovative app-based platform with proven technology derived from VMMEA’s digital operator platform, mainly targeting the local youth population.

“STC’s well-built network infrastructure will provide Virgin Mobile Kuwait with high quality advanced service to meet the diverse needs of its customers, specially focusing on the youth,” Maziad Alharbi, CEO of STC, said.

Alharbi expressed that through this partnership, Virgin Mobile Kuwait aims to provide users with accessible and customized services. The online pre-paid plan services will allow digital subscribers to take full control of their monthly bills and add-ons.

“This forms part of our ongoing commitment to providing customers with innovative digital propositions, transforming the traditional mobile experience,” Erik Dudman Nielsen, Founder & Chief Executive Officer of Virgin Mobile Middle East & Africa, said in the statement.

Virgin Mobile Middle East and Africa has established a leading position across the Middle East and Africa region.

Currently operating in Saudi Arabia, Oman and providing advisory services to the Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (EITC) in the UAE, Virgin Mobile Middle East & Africa has been catering to a continuously growing number of mobile users offering products and services since 2007, serving more than 3 million customers across the region.