KUWAIT: WIRELESS INTERNET SURVEY RESULTS

UNCLAS KUWAIT 001499

SIPDIS

STATE PASS TO USTR FOR J. BUNTIN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECPS ECON ETRD KU
SUBJECT: KUWAIT: WIRELESS INTERNET SURVEY RESULTS

REF: STATE 85946

The following answers to State's Wireless Internet Survey
(reftel) are supplied by Engineer AbdulAzziz Mohammad
Al-Osaimi, Assistant Undersecretary for Information Systems
at Kuwait's Ministry of Communication, and are keyed to
questions in reftel para 6.


A. Yes, the Government of Kuwait (GOK) has allocated
unlicensed radio-frequency spectrum for use by Wireless
Fidelity (Wi-Fi) and similar technologies. The frequency
band is 2.4-2.4835 GHz and does not exceed 100 mw. There are
no separate allocations for indoor and outdoor use. The GOK
is not planning to authorize Wi-Fi services as lower power
devices without a specific radio-service allocation.


B. Wi-Fi can be used without a license in Kuwait, provided
the Wi-Fi is indoors. While no licenses are required, users
must obtain type approval certificates from the Ministry of
Communication.


C. No, Wi-Fi systems cannot be used for commercial purposes
without a license in Kuwait.


D. No, there are not any commercial Wi-Fi networks currently
operating in Kuwait that provide service to the public.


E. Post cannot provide examples of how Wi-Fi is currently
being used in Kuwait, because nothing has been implemented
yet for commercial use.


F. While several Wi-Fi units have been sold for indoor use,
few links have been implemented as point-to-point for testing
purposes. The GOK could not provide specific numbers for
indoor use Wi-Fi systems sold in the country.
JONES