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Zain named Kuwait’s best network operator

TCN Bureau
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Zain named Kuwait’s best network operator
  • As network modernisation accelerates and user expectations for performance rise, the rivalry among Kuwait’s top mobile networks promises to intensify, setting new standards for quality and innovation in the country.

Zain has been named Kuwait’s Best Network, delivering the nation’s strongest overall mobile experience in terms of reliability, quality, and coverage, according to the latest data from Opensignal.

Zain now claims eight out of thirteen category titles—six outright, two shared—anchored by strong performances in Coverage and Consistency across its network. Real-world user data places Zain ahead of rivals Ooredoo and stc in critical categories, including Reliability Experience, Consistent Quality, and Coverage Experience.

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Zain maintains its dominance in coverage, sweeping both the Coverage Experience and 5G Coverage Experience awards. The company scored eight points out of ten for overall Coverage Experience, more than a full point ahead of Ooredoo, its nearest competitor. For 5G Coverage, Zain edged out Ooredoo with a score of 4.4 to 4.1, building on steady improvements over previous reporting periods.

Ooredoo holds the edge in speed

Notably, Zain regained the Reliability Experience award with a score of 878 points on Opensignal’s 100–1000 scale, marking a 14-point improvement and reaffirming its status as Kuwait’s most dependable network. In contrast, Ooredoo, previously the category leader, dropped sharply to third place after a significant decline, while stc moved into second position.

Ooredoo continues to hold the edge in speed, maintaining the Download Speed Experience award at an average of 104.6 Mbps—a 4 Mbps lead over Zain and a substantial 21 Mbps advantage over stc. Ooredoo also leads in Upload Speed, clocking 15.9 Mbps, while Zain and stc are tied at 14.8 Mbps.

Performance in 5G is also closely watched. Zain bests the market with a 5G Download Speed average of 316.6 Mbps, whereas Ooredoo wins in 5G Upload Speed at 26.4 Mbps, just ahead of stc.

In total, Ooredoo secured seven category titles—four outright, three shared—demonstrating continued competitive strength. Stc, while not winning any outright categories this cycle, remains strong in Availability and Games Experience, and has narrowed the gap with competitors across several other metrics.

Gulf regulators reassign prime airwaves to strengthen 5G, LTE

Naushad K. Cherrayil
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Gulf regulators reassign prime airwaves to strengthen 5G, LTE
  • C-band spectrum (3.5 GHz) remains at the heart of Gulf’s 5G rollout.
  • 4G still carries the lion’s share of traffic in most markets in Middle East and North Africa.
  • While GCC markets like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates boast mature 5G ecosystems, significant disparities persist elsewhere in the region as legacy mobile technologies linger.
  • More than 10% of mobile user time is still spent on 2G/3G networks in North African nations.

Gulf regulators and telecom operators are moving aggressively to sunset 2G and 3G networks—outpacing the rest of Middle East and North Africa (MENA) —and are reallocating prime spectrum bands such as 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, and 2100 MHz to fuel the expansion of LTE and 5G services.

The transition is swiftly freeing up resources for next-generation mobile technologies, helping to deliver faster speeds and more advanced connectivity, including critical support for enterprise IoT and smart city applications.

While GCC markets like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates boast mature 5G ecosystems, significant disparities persist elsewhere in the region as legacy mobile technologies linger.

The race to deploy 5G across the MENA is gathering pace, with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries maintaining a commanding lead, according to the latest industry data from Opensignal.

By contrast, non-GCC MENA markets are taking a more gradual approach. In North African nations, over 10 per cent of mobile user time is still spent on 2G/3G networks, largely because of slower device upgrades, a heavy reliance on prepaid users, and cautious regulatory frameworks.

These dynamics, especially prevalent in Egypt and Morocco, are delaying the full benefits of modern mobile connectivity for both consumers and businesses.

C-band remains 5G backbone

C-band spectrum (3.5 GHz) remains at the heart of the Gulf’s 5G rollout, supporting world-class download speeds—Qatar users recently clocked average rates above 380 Mbps, seven times faster than 4G. Two dominant approaches to spectrum allocation have taken shape:

  • Group 1 (C-band focused): Countries like Qatar, Tunisia, and Kuwait prioritise 3.5 GHz for most 5G deployments, delivering wide coverage without extensive reliance on other bands.
  • Group 2 (Layered mid-band): Markets such as Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, and Jordan are supplementing C-band with 2.1 GHz or 2.6 GHz bands, boosting network capacity and performance in dense urban environments.

Oman has emerged as a regional pioneer, actively deploying low-band 700 MHz spectrum for broader coverage, particularly in challenging rural and indoor environments—a shift also observed in several European markets.

Egypt, meanwhile, stands as an outlier: lacking a 3.5 GHz auction, its initial 5G efforts are driven mainly by redeploying the 2.6 GHz band, reflecting local regulatory decisions and market realities.

Policy alignment fuels next-gen ecosystem

GCC governments are synchronising spectrum policy with ambitious national visions, reallocating sub-GHz frequencies and eyeing new bands in advance of the World Radiocommunication Conference 2027.

Growing demand from smart city initiatives, satellite connectivity, and AI-driven applications is pushing regulators and operators to adopt more flexible, investment-friendly frameworks.

Emergence of 5G-Advanced

The next wave of innovation—5G-Advanced networks—is already appearing, with Kuwait’s Zain and Ooredoo, along with UAE’s du and e&, launching advanced 5G services. In Saudi Arabia, trials by Zain KSA and Huawei are focused on fixed wireless access and smart city solutions, while Bahrain’s STC tests high-capacity enterprise solutions on the upper 6 GHz band.

These upgrades coincide with the global transition to 3GPP Release 18 standards, targeting ultra-low latency and AI-enhanced networks.

Despite rapid 5G gains, experts caution that robust 4G coverage remains critical, as most MENA networks rely on NSA (non-standalone) 5G architectures that build upon LTE foundations. As a result, 4G still carries the lion’s share of traffic in most markets.

Volatility in US stocks cast doubt on resilience of AI rally

Mohammed Fahad
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Volatility in US stocks cast doubt on resilience of AI rally
  • Several high-flying AI stocks have seen steep pullbacks in recent days, amplifying worries that market enthusiasm may be outstripping the technology’s near-term capabilities.
  • Analysts warn that risks surrounding corporate capital spending, data centre infrastructure, and supply chain constraints—particularly energy resources and memory chips—should not be ignored.

The sharpest bout of volatility in US stocks in months has exposed fissures in the artificial intelligence-fueled rally, leading investors to question whether the market has entered a speculative bubble that could now be bursting.

Despite soaring valuations in AI-related stocks throughout 2025, concerns over exuberance intensified this week when a strong earnings report from AI bellwether Nvidia failed to reignite the stock or the broader market.

The subdued response has prompted investors to scrutinise the sustainability of AI-driven gains and the timeline for AI investments to deliver tangible profits.

Several high-flying AI stocks have seen steep pullbacks in recent days, amplifying worries that market enthusiasm may be outstripping the technology’s near-term capabilities.

Mounting anxiety

Retail investors, who played a pivotal role in driving previous tech rallies, now appear less eager to “buy the dip,” further denting sentiment. Meanwhile, Oracle’s plans to increase its already substantial debt to finance AI infrastructure triggered a selloff in its bonds, and lenders are demanding greater protection for loans to major tech firms, citing mounting anxiety over debt-backed AI expansions.

These developments have sparked comparisons to historic financial manias such as the late-1990s dot-com boom and the recent cryptocurrency craze.

At the crux of investor anxiety are lofty valuations: The so-called Buffett Indicator, which measures total US stock market value relative to GDP, recently surged above 200 per cent—eclipsing even the dot-com bubble peak and reaching its highest recorded level.

Frothy investor optimism

Other metrics, like the S&P 500’s forward price-to-earnings ratio and the cyclically adjusted price-to-earnings (CAPE) ratio, also point to elevated market pricing.

Even so, recent pullbacks have yet to bring valuations in line with long-term averages, and signs of frothy investor optimism remain subdued.

The American Association of Individual Investors (AAII) weekly survey shows bullish sentiment at 38 per cent—close to its historical mean, and far below the euphoric readings seen during past manias, including 75 per cent in January 2000 and 57 per cent amid the 2021 meme-stock surge.

Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai recently cautioned that no company would remain untouched if the artificial intelligence boom collapses, while Nvidia chief Jensen Huang this week dismissed concerns of speculative excess.

Historical precedent demonstrates that asset bubbles deflate in varying ways—from the drawn-out Japanese stock market malaise to the rapid 2021-22 crypto unraveling—offering little certainty about the path ahead.

As investors weigh whether today’s AI enthusiasm is justified optimism over a transformative technology or simply the latest case of market excess, analysts warn that risks surrounding corporate capital spending, data centre infrastructure, and supply chain constraints—particularly energy resources and memory chips—should not be ignored.

The coming months will test whether AI’s promise can deliver profits before market caution gives way to a broader reckoning.

Nokia to invest $4b in US to boost AI-driven network innovation

Ana Mary Joseph
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Nokia to invest $4b in US to boost AI-driven network innovation
  • CEO says company’s network division will prioritise partnership with countries that “value Western technology”.
  • US remains without a major homegrown telecom hardware supplier, leaving Nokia, Sweden’s Ericsson, and South Korea’s Samsung as the primary sources of equipment for American carriers.

Finland’s Nokia announced that it will invest $4 billion in the United States over the coming years, with an aggressive focus on research, development, and production to accelerate advancements in artificial intelligence-powered network connectivity.

Of the total investment, the telecommunications equipment giant said $3.5 billion will go toward research and development initiatives, targeting breakthrough AI solutions and next−generation networks.

The remaining $500 million is earmarked for manufacturing and capital expenditures, with planned spending across key sites in Texas, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

Nokia, which operates more than a dozen facilities in North America and maintains its Bell Labs research division in New Jersey, rolled out a new corporate strategy on Wednesday highlighting operational streamlining and a ramp-up in AI capabilities.

Tariff pressure

The announcement follows a July profit warning, when Nokia cited tariff pressures and a weakening US dollar for challenging conditions; several non-US telecom firms have since sought to shift production to the United States to hedge against ongoing trade uncertainties.

Chief executive Justin Hotard, who joined Nokia from Intel early this year, said the company’s network division will prioritise partnership with countries that “value Western technology.” US President Donald Trump and Finnish President Alexander Stubb recently discussed Nokia’s North American plans during a White House meeting.

The US remains without a major homegrown telecom hardware supplier, leaving Nokia, Sweden’s Ericsson, and South Korea’s Samsung as the primary sources of equipment for American carriers.

The new initiative positions Nokia at the forefront of AI-driven infrastructure development—just as global competition for network innovation intensifies.

US considers easing curbs on Nvidia’s H200 AI chip sales to China

Naushad K. Cherrayil
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US considers easing curbs on Nvidia’s H200 AI chip sales to China
  • Move comes as signals of détente between Washington and Beijing raise hopes for US technology firms seeking access to the world’s second-largest economy.

The Trump administration is weighing a policy shift that could allow Nvidia Corp to resume sales of its H200 artificial intelligence chips to China, according to people familiar with the matter.

The move comes as signals of détente between Washington and Beijing raise hopes for US technology firms seeking access to the world’s second-largest economy.

The Commerce Department, which administers export controls, is reviewing whether to ease restrictions on shipments of advanced AI semiconductors, sources said.

“The administration is committed to securing America’s global technology leadership and safeguarding our national security,” a White House official said, declining to address specifics of the ongoing review.

Creating opportunities

Nvidia, the leading US chipmaker, noted that current regulations block sales of competitive AI data centre chips to China, creating opportunities for foreign rivals to gain a foothold. The company and the Commerce Department declined to comment on the potential policy change.

The review marks a potential pivot following last month’s trade and technology truce brokered between President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Busan. Market analysts view the possible resumption of high-end chip exports as a signal of easing tensions.

However, hawkish lawmakers in Washington caution that such moves could fuel Beijing’s military ambitions—a key reason the Biden administration previously imposed, then eased, sweeping curbs on AI chip sales. Trump, facing pressure from Beijing’s use of rare earth mineral export controls, threatened but ultimately softened further restrictions on technology exports earlier this year.

Nvidia’s H200, unveiled in 2023, features significantly more high-bandwidth memory than its predecessor, the H100, increasing processing speeds. Analysts estimate the H200 outpaces the H20—the most advanced AI chip to which US exporters currently have access to the Chinese market—by a factor of two.

The potential policy shift gains additional prominence after Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, praised by President Trump as a “great guy,” attended high-level White House meetings this week during the visit of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Separately, the Commerce Department this week approved shipments of up to 70,000 Nvidia Blackwell chips—Nvidia’s forthcoming flagship product—to Saudi firm Humain and UAE-based G42, in a move seen as expanding US tech leadership in the Gulf region.

The outcome of the policy review is still uncertain, industry sources stressed, with any change subject to ongoing security considerations.

Thieves favour iPhones over Samsung for resale value

Naushad K. Cherrayil
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Thieves favour iPhones over Samsung for resale value
  • The iPhone vs. Samsung rivalry now has an unexpected real-world outcome: your phone’s brand could influence its appeal—even to a thief.

Londoners facing the threat of street robberies have recently discovered an unusual silver lining—having a Samsung smartphone might increase the chances of getting your device back from a thief.

Despite the proliferation of device tracking tools, smartphone theft remains rampant. In 2024 alone, over seven million phones were reported lost or stolen worldwide. London has become ground zero for this issue, with phones worth an estimated £50 million (over $65 million) stolen last year, according to the UK Parliament’s research and information service.

In a surprising twist, multiple reports from local social media and forums, including London Centric, show thieves returning Android-powered phones—specifically Samsung models—to victims after realizing the devices weren’t iPhones.

In one incident, a group of eight robbers returned a Samsung device to their victim, saying, “Don’t want no Samsung.” Such anecdotes point to a growing trend: criminals are becoming increasingly selective about the smartphones they target.

Analysts attribute this selectiveness to the higher resale value of iPhones on the secondhand market. Studies by online phone reseller UpTrade and platforms like DHgate consistently find that iPhones retain their value better than Android alternatives, including the Galaxy S24 Ultra. Apple’s unified product ecosystem and strong resale demand make used iPhones a more profitable catch for thieves.

Device tracking and the persistence of theft

While smartphones are easier to track and disable than ever before, these technologies have not curbed the underlying incentive to steal. Stolen devices continue to find new life not only in resale markets but also as sources for parts or even as vectors for data-driven fraud. Criminals are simply adapting—preferring iPhones for their lucrative payoffs and discarding less valuable brands on the spot.

Victims report falling prey to classic theft tactics, from grab-and-go scooter snatches to distraction-based muggings. The only difference in some of today’s stories is that Android owners, in particular, have sometimes found their devices returned by dissatisfied thieves.

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