COMMUNICATIONS
Kuwait has an extremely sophisticated and complete range of telecommuni-cation services, all of which are controlled by the Ministry of Communications (MOC). Services are provided partly by the MOC and partly by private bodies regulated by the MOC.

National Telephone Network
Kuwait's national telephone network is operated by the MOC. Transmission is mostly by fibre optic cable. The system is reliable.

Installation
Most apartments already have telephone lines installed, except in new areas such as Qurain. To have a telephone line turned on, you must submit an application form, with a copy of your civil ID and tenancy agreement attached, to your local MOC office.
   The cost to a private expatriate subscriber of having a telephone line switched on (without an international dial facility) is KD65, ie, KD30 each for the switch-on cost, annual subscription and deposit, plus KD5 stamp duty. For an international dial facility, an expatriate must put down a deposit of KD500, either in cash or in the form of a bank guarantee.
   Those without an international line are billed once a year for the annual service charge. Subscribers with international lines are billed monthly. If the bill is not paid soon after it is issued the line may be cut off without warning by the MOC's programmed billing control. If the MOC cuts off the line, they charge both a disconnection fee and a reconnection fee. The amount due on any telephone may be ascertained by dialling the Bills Enquiry Service on 123.
   The MOC provides a range of sophisticated services for digital telephones, such as conference calling and international call barring, though most of these are available on handsets that can be purchased over the counter in Kuwait. A caller ID service is also available. This has been very successful and MOC certified units (which are the only units which work successfully in all areas of Kuwait) cost about KD25 in local stores.

Local Calls
Local telephone calls are free, and as most shops will allow a brief telephone call to be made without charge, there are few telephone kiosks in the streets.

International Calls
International calls are fairly expensive (see table at the end of this chapter). Overseas calls can be made from ordinary telephones which do not have international dial facilities by using a special card, such as an Inter-Key Service card. The telephone must have tone (not pulse) dialling. Cards are available in units of KD3, 5 or 10 from supermarkets and stores. The cards are used by dialling the service number and following the instructions. Charges are 10% more than the MOC rate. Unused portions can be used for further calls but are not refundable. The cards are valid for one year.

Public Services
Telephone kiosks are found in the Telecommunications Centre in Murgab, at main post offices and the airport, and in a few supermarkets and shopping malls.
   Overseas calls can be made from kiosks in the Telecommunications Centre and the post offices using magnetic cards purchased at the counter for KD3, KD5 or KD10. The card is inserted in the telephone and the number dialled directly. The charge is the same as for an ordinary telephone with an international line. Unused portions of cards can be used for further calls but cannot be refunded.
   The Telecommunications Centre provides facsimile, telex and phototelegram services. Facsimile services are also available at main post offices, and international telephone and facsimile services are available at the main hotels. The hotels however usually charge double the MOC call rate, though long-term guests may be able to negotiate a discount.

COURIER SERVICES
There are several courier companies in Kuwait. A few have an internal local delivery service. Charges are based on distance, and vary from KD2/500 to KD3/500 at the most for a 5kg package.
   There are several international courier firms operating in Kuwait. At least three types of services are on offer, letter delivery, document packages and packaged goods. Prices, based on weight, and some firms charge a heavy premium for carrying computer diskettes.
   The service to Saudi Arabia is limited to TNT International, Federal Express and DHL. For expatriates living in Kuwait whose nearest embassy is in Riyadh a 'visa bag' service is operated, whereby for an inclusive fee passports and other documents requiring processing are taken to an embassy in Riyadh and returned to Kuwait with total security.

POSTAL SERVICES
The General Post Office is in Fahd al-Salem street in downtown Kuwait City. There are main post offices in Safat, Salmiya, Hawalli, Jahra and Fahaheel. Some years ago a form of postal delivery was started using private contractors but the reliability and extent of the service is in doubt. Most mail is delivered to post office boxes, where it has to be picked up by the recipient.
   All international mail is by air. Registered and express delivery (which gives priority in sorting and delivery only in the country of destination) are available. Ordinary mail to non-Arab countries is 150fils for upto 20 grams. Registration and express delivery fees are 200fils a letter. Express delivery cannot be registered. The enquiry fee for registered items is also 200fils, as is the acknowledgement fee for a registered letter. To ensure delivery overseas it is best to send letters by express delivery or registered post.

Parcel Post
Parcels can be sent from main post offices. The weight limit is 20 kilograms, and the size limit is 42 inches in length or 72 inches in length and width combined. Insured packages must be sealed but may not be registered. The package must have a customs declaration attached.
   When a parcel arrives from overseas, the recipient is notified by a green post card. To claim the parcel, the recipient must take the green card with their civil ID or passport to the parcels office in Kaifan. A parcel is always thoroughly inspected before it can be taken away.

Mumtaz Mail & Parcel Post
Mumtaz Post is part of the worldwide EMS network, and mail sent by mumtaz has priority both in Kuwait and in the country of delivery. The service is available, from the general Post Office and main post office, to over 90 countries. Special mumtaz envelopes must be used. The maximum weight is 15 kilograms. The first half kilogram costs KD5 to Arabic countries and KD6 to all other countries. Each extra half kilogram coasts KD2 to any country.

Post Office Box
Most residents use the PO box in their place of work. Some however prefer to have their own. A person can only rent a PO box in the area in which he or she lives, so applications are made at the nearest main post office. The charge in the first year is KD7, which includes KD3 for a new lock and key to the box, and KD4 a year after that . The application form must have a photocopy of the applicant's civil ID attached to show that he or she actually lives in the area. If there is a vacant box, it will be granted straight away.

PAGER & MOBILE TELEPHONES
Kuwait has two operations providing pager and mobile telephone services, the Mobile Telecommunications Company (MTC tel 4842000) and the National Mobile Tele-communications Company (NMTC tel 2435500). At present, the pager service costs KD20 per year, in addition to the purchase price of the unit. Mobile telephones cost upwards of KD25 to buy. Line costs MTC KD20 NMTC KD 8-10. Call charges for mobiles MTC 20 fils (calculated on pulse bases) and NMTC 40 fils a minute on both incoming and out going calls. However, incoming calls between the two (MTC & NMTC) are not charged. The competition has intensified and incentives are pushing prices down.
   Short-term visitors can hire pagers and mobiles from companies who advertise in the daily newspapers at a cost of KD1 per day for the unit and line and 40fils a call.