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Kuwait has an extremely sophisticated and complete range of
telecommunication services, all of which are controlled by the Ministry
of Communications (MOC). Services are provided partly by the MOC and
partly by private bodies regulated by the MOC.
National Telephone Network
Kuwait's national telephone network is operated by the MOC. Transmission
is mostly by fiber optic cable. The system is reliable.
Installation
Most apartments already have telephone lines installed, except in new
areas such as Qurain. To have a telephone line turned on, you must
submit an application form, with a copy of your civil ID and tenancy
agreement attached, to your local MOC office.
The cost to a private expatriate subscriber of having a telephone
line switched on (without an international dial facility) is KD65, i.e.,
KD30 each for the switch-on cost, annual subscription and deposit, plus
KD5 stamp duty. For an international dial facility, an expatriate must
put down a deposit of KD500, either in cash or in the form of a bank
guarantee.
Those without an international line are billed once a year for the
annual service charge. Subscribers with international lines are billed
monthly. If the bill is not paid soon after it is issued the line may be
cut off without warning by the MOC's programmed billing control. If the
MOC cuts off the line, they charge both a disconnection fee and a
reconnection fee. The amount due on any telephone may be ascertained by
dialing the Bills Enquiry Service on 123.
The MOC provides a range of sophisticated services for digital
telephones, such as conference calling and international call barring,
though most of these are available on handsets that can be purchased
over the counter in Kuwait. A caller ID service is also available. This
has been very successful and MOC certified units (which are the only
units which work successfully in all areas of Kuwait) cost about KD25 in
local stores.
Local Calls
Local telephone calls are free, and as most shops will allow a brief
telephone call to be made without charge, there are few telephone kiosks
in the streets.
International Calls
International calls are fairly expensive (see table at the end of this
chapter). Overseas calls can be made from ordinary telephones which do
not have international dial facilities by using a special card, such as
an Inter-Key Service card. The telephone must have tone (not pulse)
dialing. Cards are available in units of KD3, 5 or 10 from supermarkets
and stores. The cards are used by dialing the service number and
following the instructions. Charges are 10% more than the MOC rate.
Unused portions can be used for further calls but are not refundable.
The cards are valid for one year.
Public Services
Telephone kiosks are found in the Telecommunications Centre in Murgab,
at main post offices and the airport, and in a few supermarkets and
shopping malls.
Overseas calls can be made from kiosks in the Telecommunications
Centre and the post offices using magnetic cards purchased at the
counter for KD3, KD5 or KD10. The card is inserted in the telephone and
the number dialed directly. The charge is the same as for an ordinary
telephone with an international line. Unused portions of cards can be
used for further calls but cannot be refunded.
The Telecommunications Centre provides facsimile, telex and photo
telegram services. Facsimile services are also available at main post
offices, and international telephone and facsimile services are
available at the main hotels. The hotels however usually charge double
the MOC call rate, though long-term guests may be able to negotiate a
discount.
COURIER SERVICES
There are several courier companies in Kuwait. A few have an internal
local delivery service. Charges are based on distance, and vary from
KD2/500 to KD3/500 at the most for a 5kg package.
There are several international courier firms operating in Kuwait. At
least three types of services are on offer, letter delivery, document
packages and packaged goods. Prices, based on weight, and some firms
charge a heavy premium for carrying computer diskettes.
The service to Saudi Arabia is limited to TNT International, Federal
Express and DHL. For expatriates living in Kuwait whose nearest embassy
is in Riyadh a 'visa bag' service is operated, whereby for an inclusive
fee passports and other documents requiring processing are taken to an
embassy in Riyadh and returned to Kuwait with total security.
POSTAL SERVICES
The General Post Office is in Fahd al-Salem street in downtown Kuwait
City. There are main post offices in Safat, Salmiya, Hawalli, Jahra and
Fahaheel. Some years ago a form of postal delivery was started using
private contractors but the reliability and extent of the service is in
doubt. Most mail is delivered to post office boxes, where it has to be
picked up by the recipient.
All international mail is by air. Registered and express delivery
(which gives priority in sorting and delivery only in the country of
destination) are available. Ordinary mail to non-Arab countries is
150fils for up to 20 grams. Registration and express delivery fees are
200fils a letter. Express delivery cannot be registered. The enquiry fee
for registered items is also 200fils, as is the acknowledgement fee for
a registered letter. To ensure delivery overseas it is best to send
letters by express delivery or registered post.
Parcel Post
Parcels can be sent from main post offices. The weight limit is 20
kilograms, and the size limit is 42 inches in length or 72 inches in
length and width combined. Insured packages must be sealed but may not
be registered. The package must have a customs declaration attached.
When a parcel arrives from overseas, the recipient is notified by a
green post card. To claim the parcel, the recipient must take the green
card with their civil ID or passport to the parcels office in Kaifan. A
parcel is always thoroughly inspected before it can be taken away.
Mumtaz Mail & Parcel Post
Mumtaz Post is part of the worldwide EMS network, and mail sent by
mumtaz has priority both in Kuwait and in the country of delivery. The
service is available, from the general Post Office and main post office,
to over 90 countries. Special mumtaz envelopes must be used. The maximum
weight is 15 kilograms. The first half kilogram costs KD5 to Arabic
countries and KD6 to all other countries. Each extra half kilogram
coasts KD2 to any country.
Post Office Box
Most residents use the PO box in their place of work. Some however
prefer to have their own. A person can only rent a PO box in the area in
which he or she lives, so applications are made at the nearest main post
office. The charge in the first year is KD7, which includes KD3 for a
new lock and key to the box, and KD4 a year after that . The application
form must have a photocopy of the applicant's civil ID attached to show
that he or she actually lives in the area. If there is a vacant box, it
will be granted straight away.
PAGER & MOBILE TELEPHONES
Kuwait has two operations providing pager and mobile telephone services,
the Mobile Telecommunications Company (MTC tel 4842000) and the National
Mobile Tele-communications Company (NMTC tel 2435500). At present, the
pager service costs KD20 per year, in addition to the purchase price of
the unit. Mobile telephones cost upwards of KD25 to buy. Line costs MTC
KD20 NMTC KD 8-10. Call charges for mobiles MTC 20 fils (calculated on
pulse bases) and NMTC 40 fils a minute on both incoming and out going
calls. However, incoming calls between the two (MTC & NMTC) are not
charged. The competition has intensified and incentives are pushing
prices down.
Short-term visitors can hire pagers and mobiles from companies who
advertise in the daily newspapers at a cost of KD1 per day for the unit
and line and 40fils a call.
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