stuabroad

Hi

Am moving on Friday 17th August to new job in Kuwait City! I was out a couple of weeks ago for interviews...but when anyone called or left a voicemail on my O2 Pay as You Go mobile, I paid for those incoming messages and calls. It was horrendous.

Can anyone advise on what i should do for mobile phone network coverage in Kuwait - should I wait and buy one there?

Thanks in advance

Oh - if you have any other helpful words of wisdom on living in Kuwait that would be good also

Jackie Milburn

Wait until you get there, and Kuwait has two mobile companies; Mobile Telecommuncations Co. (MTC) and National Mobile Telecommunications Co. (Wataniya).

Do a search for tarifs etc.

Dago

Get Skype in for a UK phone registration as a suggestion because it may be cheaper for your short term problem but is an essential for moving here. Phones in K are a PIA. You are not allowed to buy a simcard until you have a civil id (2 months) and to get LL you need same but 500KG (YES 800 GBP (I've just noticed that my keyboard does not have the pound sterling symbol!)) deposit. For skype you need internet access - probably at work until you get adsl from LL or GSM.

K is a good place to work but it is not easy all of the time. It is a good choice so good luck.

A

The Diabolical

Due to my business I travel extensively through the Middle East and I use a satellite phone. I realise it could be cost prohibitive for most people, but if cost is not a factor, and you absolutely need to stay in touch, I strongly recommend: http://www.thuraya.com/

Madam Medusa

it's the preferred choice of all successful businessmen...

MM, xx

The Diabolical

Well it works for me. Wether I'm on an offshore oil rig, or the back streets of Calcutta, the phone always works.

JohnG

Another option for ya....... on the plane over get an international sim card, they won't be as cheap as a Kuwait one but a lot cheaper than O2. I don't know what the company is but you can top it up with a credit card from anywhere....... like I said, probably not as cheap as a local sim card but way cheaper than using a UK one...

stuabroad

Thanks all for your replies. I think the Satellite phone will need to wait until I have the Gulfstream parked in the garage

Skype of course will be essential. Sorry to be thick - what do you mean by 'LL' - is this the name of an ISP over there? What's the broadband infrastructure like? I would hope that apartments (on my limited research) come with broadband installed. When you say you cannot buy a Simcard until you have a Civil ID - how do you mean? I'll be living there in a permanent job with Alghanim for forseeable future. The population of expats before me must know how all this works Still feels like jumping in at the deep-end though !

Cheers
Stuart

JohnG

LL = Land Line I think mate.!!!!

stuabroad

Ha - the simple things are the hardest i find lol. To be honest not having a damn mobile for a while might be a good thing. Looking forward to my trip on 17th August. Not so sure how i'll cope with the lack of alcohol and associated social structures but i'm sure i'll get to know people...any suggestions/tips you have would be great.

S

JohnG

Come to Bahrain........ ain't remotley dry here.!!!