Kuwait City - Phone
Land lines
The local telephone service is excellent. All land lines are provided by the Ministry of Communication (MoC). An application must be made to the branch of the Ministry of Communication which covers the area in which you live. Additional documentation required is:
- a copy of your rent agreement;
- a letter from the company in which you work confirming your employment and salary
- a copy of your Civil I.D. card.
A fee of KD65 is payable which covers installation, connection, stamp duty and one years rental. Each additional year of rental costs KD30 and is to be paid in advance. Local calls made from land lines are currently free of charge and therefore monthly bills are not received.
Telephone books are not widely distributed.
International lines
International lines are available to expatriates on payment to the MoC of a KD500 deposit. Bills are sent monthly and must be paid on time otherwise the line will be suspended without warning, and both a disconnection fee and a reconnection fee will be payable. Should you wish to ascertain the current amount owing on your international telephone line, dial 123.
Should you not wish to pay the substantial deposit for an international line there is an alternative for making international calls. Most corner shops and supermarkets sell Inter-Key Service cards in denominations of KD3, KD5 or KD10. These cards can only be used on telephones with tone dialing. Calls are made by dialing the service number and following the simple instructions. Calls cost an average of 10% more than the MoC rates for international lines.
Phone cards
The usual phone cards that you find all over the world are also available from corner shops and supermarkets. International calls made using these cards cost the same as those made using an international MoC line.
Mobile phones
There are two mobile phone service providers in Kuwait:
- MTC Vodafone
- Wataniya Telecom
In order to obtain a SIM card you will need a copy of your Civil I.D., or a copy of your passport and visa. Various package options are available. Bear in mind that the prepaid (eeZee and Xpress) lines give you automatic international call access.
Wataniya Telecom
Wataniya Telecom offers a suite of services including local and international lines, roaming and data services. Xpress is Wataniya Telecom’s prepaid service. You may rent a SIM card for the duration of your stay if you are visiting Kuwait on production of a copy of your passport and visa. Telephone bills cannot currently be paid online; please dial 121 to pay over the telephone using your credit card.
Branches
- Farwaniya
Farwaniya Co-op
9:00am – 1:15pm and 5:00pm – 8:00pm Saturday to Thursday. Closed Friday. - Fahaheel
Dabbous Complex
Mecca Street
9:00am – 1:15pm and 5:00pm – 8:00pm Saturday to Wednesday 9:00am – 1:15pm Thursday. Closed Friday. - Hawalli
Beirut Complex
10:00am – 10:00pm Saturday to Thursday. Closed Friday. - Jahra
Jahra Cinema
9:00am – 1:15pm and 5:00pm – 8:00pm Saturday to Wednesday 9:00am – 1:15pm Thursday. Closed Fridays. - Kuwait International Airport
Arrivals Area
Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week - Kuwait City
Kuwait Airways Building
9:00am – 1:15pm and 5:00pm – 8:00pm Saturday to Wednesday 9:00am – 1:15pm Thursday - Kuwait City
Stock Exchange Building
9:00am – 2:00pm Saturday to Wednesday
Closed Thursday and Friday - Salmiya
Marina Mall
10:00am – 10:00pm Saturday to Thursday
1:00pm – 10:00pm Friday - Salmiya
Shaha Complex
9:00am – 1:15pm and 5:00pm – 8:00pm Saturday to Thursday
Fridays closed
MTC Vodafone
MTC Vodafone offers comprehensive packages for mobile phone users. Local, international, roaming and pre-paid (eeZee) services are available. You may rent a SIM card for the duration of your stay, if you are visiting Kuwait, on production of a copy of your passport and visa. Telephone bills may be paid online.
Branches
- Ardheya
Block 9
Co-op #1 7:30am – 3:00pm and 4:00pm – 9:00pm Saturday to Wednesday
9:00am – 2:00pm Thursday. Closed Friday. -
Hawalli
Muhallab Centre (ground floor)
10:00am – 10:00pm Saturday to Thursday. 5:00pm – 10:00pm on Friday. -
Jahra
Block 4 (near the Co-op)
7:30am – 3:00pm and 4:00pm – 9:00pm Saturday to Wednesday 9:00am – 2:00pm Thursday. Closed Friday. -
Kheitan
Block 42 (behind Co-op)
7:30am – 3:00pm and 4:00pm – 9:00pm Saturday to Wednesday 9:00am – 2:00pm Thursday. Closed Friday. -
Kuwait International Airport
Arrivals Area
Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week -
Kuwait Stock Exchange - Ground Floor
7:30am – 3:00pm Saturday to Wednesday. Closed Thursday and Friday. -
Marina Mall
Virgin Megastore
10:00am – 10:00pm Saturday to Thursday. 5:00pm – 10:00pm on Friday. -
Mishref
Block 3 (Co-op building)
7:30am – 3:00pm and 4:00pm – 9:00pm Saturday to Wednesday 9:00am – 2:00pm Thursday. Closed Friday. -
Qurain
Block 1 (Co-op building)
7:30am – 3:00pm and 4:00pm – 9:00pm Saturday to Wednesday 9:00am – 2:00pm Thursday. Closed Friday. -
Sabahiya
opposite Municipality Building
7:30am – 3:00pm and 4:00pm – 8:00pm Saturday to Wednesday 9:00am – 2:00pm Thursday. Closed Friday. -
Salmiya
Block 5
Hamad Al Mubarak Street
7:30am – 3:00pm and 4:00pm – 9:00pm Saturday to Wednesday 9:00am – 2:00pm Thursday. Closed Friday. -
Shuwaikh
Road 55 (Airport Road) next to Arab Organisations Building
7:30am – 7:30pm Saturday to Wednesday
9:00am – 2:00pm Thursday. Closed Friday.
