Wataniya Telecom

Found in: Companies of Kuwait Telecommunication companies of Kuwait

Wataniya Telecom is the second licensed GSM mobile operator in Kuwait initially backed by KIPCO (the Kuwait Investment Projects Company).

Wataniya Telecoms first investment outside Kuwait was in 2002, with the acquisition of a 50% stake in the Tunisian operator Tunisiana. This move to expand regionally was followed in 2003 with the award of a license to operate a mobile network in Algeria (WTA - Nedjma). Wataniya Telecom participated in a consortium awarded one of three licenses in Wataniya - Iraq (Asia Cell).

Wataniya Telecom formed Wataniya International 2004 to undertake the pursuit of global expansion opportunities as well as to leverage synergies within the Wataniya Telecom group of companies. Wataniya International brings together technical, commercial and financial management capabilities and is involved in building strategic partnerships, leading license bids and managing investments in regional and global telecommunications markets.

In 2005, Wataniya Telecom was awarded a license to operate a network in the Maldives. This was followed in mid-2005 by the launch of Bravo, the company that has built and is operating the first and only push to talk wireless network in Saudi Arabia.

In 2006, Wataniya International won the bid to build and operate the second mobile company in Palestine.

The Wataniya Group of Companies has recently been acquired by Qtel (Qatar Telecom) in a deal worth $3.8 billion. Wataniya Telecom currently serves more than 8 million customers.