Ooredoo’s Wataniya Kuwait network is one of the best in the region, delivering network performance on a level with the very best international carriers, according to a new report from a leading global IT services firm.

Among the key findings of the audit was that Wataniya Kuwait’s 3G network’s data rate is the best in the Omnitele global database, delivering average throughput speeds of 9.5Mbps compared to 8.3Mbps for the best operator measured in Europe, said leading telecom engineering and consulting company Omnitele in the report.

In addition, the customer experience for voice calls – measured through a series of Key Performance Indicators – were considered “very good” compared to operators worldwide.

The survey measured performance across 222 hotspots in Kuwait, 5,200 km of drive-tests across the country, 640 km of sea measurements and 300 km of extra 4G Long-Term Evolution (LTE) measurements.

“The modernised Wataniya network performance is on a very good level compared to International standards,” the report said.

Wataniya Kuwait has recently completed a $400 million network modernisation programme, which the company undertook in partnership with global ICT solutions providers Huawei and Ericsson.

As a result, it is one of several Ooredoo markets that has seen a major improvement in network quality in recent months. With the on-going roll-out of 4G across the country, Internet speeds and network performance are set to increase in the coming months.

Dr Nasser Marafih, Group CEO, Ooredoo, said: “As we implement our network enhancement strategy across our footprint in Mena and Southeast Asia, Ooredoo’s Wataniya network modernisation programme has delivered a significant improvement in customers’ online experience, and is already impacting job creation, household income, and GDP growth.”

In order to deliver enhanced indoor coverage for 3G and 4G LTE Mobile Broadband networks, Wataniya Kuwait has completely rebuilt its mobile network, deploying cutting-edge U900 technology for the first time in Kuwait.

Reflecting the significant improvement, the company’s integrated campaign Most Advanced Network has seen strong customer feedback, with data utilisation growing by 20 per cent over the last three months. – TradeArabia News Service