Kuwait unveils plans for network upgrade

Kuwait is to update and expand its telecoms infrastructure in 35 areas across the country, using fibre-optic cabling to provide fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) technology direct to Kuwaiti households. Under the proposals, the country will roll out optical fibre backbone links to local exchanges, with minor cables running out to every house and building in the covered area. Residential dwellings will have four standard phone lines and two additional links, one for internet access and one for ultra-high speed data or video services. The Communications Ministry Undersecretary Hamad Khaja says that work on the upgrade will begin shortly and will be completed in the first quarter of 2006.