KAPP clear to award contract to modernise Kuwait’s fixed-line infrastructure

Details: John Tanner; Category: Optical & Fixed Networks; 20 February 2026; 1777 views

The Kuwait Authority for Partnership Projects (KAPP) has reportedly secured conditional approval from the State Audit Bureau (SAB) to award a KWD19.9 million (US$64.8 million) contract for a project to modernise Kuwait’s fixed-line telecoms infrastructure.

According to the Arab Times, KAPP submitted the tender on January 14 to SAB, which approved it this past Tuesday.

The project – which is being implemented by KAPP and the Ministry of Communications – aims to deploy a fibre optic network that will reach least 90% of homes by 2028, with data speeds initially as high as 10 Gbps, the report said.

The project covers design, financing, construction, operation, maintenance and transformation of the ministry’s fixed-line networks, including active and passive infrastructure, as well as the copper fixed-line network, the report added.

The winning company – which has not been publicly disclosed – will operate the ministry’s existing network and expand it to cover all areas.

The report said that the fixed-line project will also provide the foundation for launching smart city services, as well as help the government achieve its ‘New Kuwait 2035’ vision by strengthening its digital infrastructure.

Moreover, it could help boost income for the ministry, which gets most of its income from fixed-line service fees, which have been declining as users switch to 4G and 5G mobile services from Zain, Ooredoo, STC and Virgin Mobile. By the end of 2024, Kuwait was already ranked third globally in Ookla’s Speed Test Global Index, with average mobile data speeds of 258.51 Mbps.