Zain launches 5G Advanced, unlocking new horizons for Kuwait's digital economy

01/07/2025 06:51 AST

Zain has officially launched its next-generation 5G Advanced network, delivering nationwide coverage across most of Kuwait. The rollout marks a major step forward in unlocking the full potential of the digital era and establishing a highly advanced infrastructure that supports ultra-fast internet speeds throughout the country.

Zain affirmed that its 5G Advanced network was built according to the highest global standards to meet the growing demand for data services, support smart city applications, power the Internet of Things, and accommodate the evolving digital lifestyle across sectors.

The launch follows the official announcement by the Communication and Information Technology Regulatory Authority (CITRA) regarding the activation of 5G Advanced in Kuwait, a milestone toward building robust digital infrastructure and laying the groundwork for the adoption of 6G technologies in the near future.

Kuwait now ranks among the first countries worldwide to deploy 5G Advanced commercially, underscoring its pioneering role in adopting cutting-edge telecom technologies and enhancing its position as a forward-looking digital hub.

Zain Vice Chairman and Group CEO, Bader Nasser Al-Kharafi, stated: "This milestone reflects the directives of His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, to foster a thriving investment environment in which the ICT sector drives economic growth and positions Kuwait as a regional hub for the digital economy."

Al-Kharafi praised the extensive support from the government, particularly the efforts of the Minister of State for Communications Affairs Omar Al-Omar, and Acting Chairman of CITRA Sheikh Athbi Jaber Al-Sabah, for enabling this successful and seamless launch both technically and commercially.

He continued: "This progress places Kuwait among the first nations globally to launch 5G Advanced commercially, reinforcing the country's leadership in providing high-performance digital infrastructure. It opens vast opportunities to accelerate digital transformation, power smart services and IoT, and redefine the connectivity experience for all."

Al-Kharafi added that the launch aligns with Zain's recently announced 4WARAD strategy, which focuses on continuity, acceleration, collaboration and digital innovation: "Through this launch, we reaffirm our commitment to meeting growing data demands, exploring new digital business models, and continuing our journey to evolve into a fully integrated technology company."

He further noted: "We have heavily invested in upgrading our network to support the latest global advancements. We look forward to deepening our collaboration with government entities to help achieve the Kuwait Vision 2035 and place the country at the heart of the global technology revolution."

Nawaf Al-Gharabally, CEO of Zain Kuwait, commented: "With the launch of 5G Advanced, we are contributing to a new chapter in Kuwait's digital transformation journey, an extension of Zain's longstanding efforts in national digital development since its inception in 1983."

He emphasized: "This deployment reflects the outcomes of early investment in infrastructure, rigorous technical readiness, and successful nationwide field testing by Zain's network team, which ensured seamless coverage across most of the nation from day one."

"This strategic move enhances Zain's proactive vision and operational excellence in delivering next-generation connectivity that meets the highest global benchmarks and offers a more advanced and reliable communications experience to the largest customer base in Kuwait." he added.

Al-Gharabally continued: "We have strengthened our collaboration with global technology partners and leveraged our international expertise to adapt 5G Advanced in line with national priorities. We are proud to play a vital role in a leap that will benefit individuals, businesses, and the community at large."

To commemorate the launch, Al-Gharabally revealed that Zain has released a new TV commercial that reflects the human essence of technology: "This campaign celebrates the moments that touch people's hearts and adds emotional depth to the connectivity experience."

He continued: "The launch of this creative content aligns with our belief that technology is not solely defined by speed, but by its ability to build bridges between people and empower them to live their most wonderful moments. That is the true value we aim to deliver through 5G Advanced."

30-Day Free Trial from Zain
As part of its efforts to bring this next-generation experience to its customers, Zain is offering a free 30-day trial* of the 5G Advanced service to eligible postpaid subscribers starting 30 June until 29 July 2025.

Eligible users will be automatically upgraded to the 5G Advanced network on their compatible devices at no additional cost during the offer period. To activate the service, customers can follow the simple steps provided on Zain's website and official communication channels.

*Terms and conditions apply. For more information, visit kw.zain.com.

A Leap in Network Capability
5G Advanced represents a significant leap in network performance, delivering much higher speeds compared to standard 5G. It is ideal for ultra-high-definition streaming, large file downloads, and lag-free online gaming, even during peak usage times.

The technology also features ultra-low latency, enabling lightning-fast data transmission between devices and the cloud. This results in seamless performance for real-time applications like cloud gaming, video calls, connected vehicles, and AI-based services.

Additionally, 5G Advanced offers smart bandwidth management through Component Carrier Aggregation, which allows the network to handle heavy usage efficiently without congestion or performance degradation.

"Live Your Wonderful": A Human-Centric Campaign

To mark this technological milestone, Zain launched a new marketing campaign under the theme "Live Your Wonderful", which includes a heartfelt television commercial highlighting the emotional impact of technology in our lives.

The campaign takes viewers on an emotional journey through simple, everyday moments that become deeply meaningful when shared with loved ones. With 5G Advanced from Zain, these moments feel closer and more profound, perfectly reflecting the company's vision of using technology to enrich human connection.

This campaign is part of Zain's ongoing efforts to connect with customers on a human level, and to spotlight how modern technology can enhance the beauty, meaning, and connectivity of daily life.

Zain: A Pioneer in Tech Innovation
The launch of 5G Advanced is the latest in a long line of achievements for Zain in leading Kuwait's telecom and technology sector. Since its founding in 1983 as the region's first mobile operator, Zain has consistently introduced groundbreaking technologies that shaped the local market.

The company pioneered GSM services in 1994, followed by the country's first nationwide 4G LTE rollout in 2012, and became the first in the GCC to commercially launch 5G in 2019.

Zain's commitment to excellence was reaffirmed in 2024 when it received five Speedtest Awards from Ookla, the global leader in network intelligence and connectivity insights. Zain won the titles of Fastest Mobile Network, Best 5G Gaming Experience, Best 5G Video Experience, Best Mobile Network, and Fastest 5G Network in Kuwait.

The results were based on hundreds of thousands of consumer-initiated tests across the country during the second half of 2024, placing Zain clearly at the forefront of network performance nationwide.

With this official launch, Zain Kuwait once again reaffirms its role as a leader in shaping the country's digital future, delivering innovative services that enhance customer experience and contribute to the growth of a robust digital economy. Zain remains a trusted partner in connecting Kuwait to what's next.

Kuwait Times