DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/b72d08/kuwait_telecommuni) has announced the addition of the "Kuwait Telecommunications Report Q2 2011" report to their offering.
Business Monitor International's Kuwait Telecommunications Report provides industry professionals and strategists with independent forecasts and competitive intelligence on Kuwait's telecommunications industry.
BMI's Q211 update on Kuwait's telecommunications market contains latest operational data from market leader Zain and second-ranked Wataniya, which has led to a slight revision in forecasts for the mobile market. However, latest data on the fixed-line, internet and broadband markets by the Ministry of Communications (MoC) still relates to 2009, leading to the retention of current growth expectations. The five-ear forecasts extend to the end of 2015.
Zain experienced a net loss of subscribers for the second consecutive quarter in Q410, although to a lesser degree than in the previous quarter. The operator revealed a loss of 1,000 subscribers from its customer base to end Q410 on a total of 1.870mn. Zain's relatively weak performance in H210 tempered overall rate of growth in 2010 which was 1.7%, considerably less than 3.9% recorded in 2009. This reduced its market share to 42.5% at the end of 2010, down from 46.1 a year earlier. Zain's net loss could partly be due to discounting of customers that fall out of the 90-day active definition the operator uses.
The MoC plans to disconnect users for failing to pay their overdue landline bills by April 2011. This follows similar exercises in 2009 and 2010 which, in addition to fixed to mobile substitution, resulted in a decline in fixed-line subscriptions during the past two years. The MoC which currently acts as regulator and sole provider of fixed line voice services in the country has announced plans to privatise the fixed line sector by 2010 as it seeks to help Kuwait achieve its goal of becoming an economic and financial hub.
Similarly, greater competition is required in the internet and broadband sectors. However, the government revealed in November 2010 that it had suspended the issuance of licences for new internet service providers (ISPs) until a separate telecoms regulator from the MoC could be established in the country. Currently, the interests of the MoC are in conflict as it is the sole provider of fixed line services. An independent regulatory body could be charged with granting licences and setting the relevant standards and conditions required to encourage greater competition.
For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/b72d08/kuwait_telecommuni