KUWAIT CITY, July 14: Kuwaiti lawmakers have continued mounting pressure on the government to stop the Internet service providers (ISPs) from emptying the pockets of subscribers and to make the service affordable for everyone.
Speaking to reporters Thursday, MP Dr Faisal Al-Muslim called on Minister of Electricity and Water and acting Information and Communications Minister Salem Al-Othaina to immediately take the necessary steps to end the malpractices of some Internet companies. He accused the companies of monopolizing the market and charging exorbitant fees.
“Even if we have seen promising developments after the appointment of Al-Othaina, we will not remain silent over the Internet issue. We have to end the malpractices of some ISPs in the country to protect the consumers. Some of these companies operate without legal backing. The Ministry of Communications, the main provider of Internet services to these companies, knows how the companies exploit the situation to monopolize the service, yet it has not taken any measure in this regard,” Al-Muslim lamented.

Asserting the lawmakers have taken a clear stand on the issue, Al-Muslim pointed out the situation has gotten worse because corruption is no longer limited to public funds as it now involves the pockets of citizens and residents.
He urged the minister to oblige the ISPs to strictly comply with the stipulations of contracts signed by the subscribers, instead of manipulating the capacity and speed of the service to extort more money from the people. He said another option is for the ministry to provide the service directly to the consumers at lower fees until the establishment of the public communications authority.
Al-Muslim also asked Ministry of Communications Undersecretary Abdulmohsen Mazeedi to fulfill his promise to the parliamentary Public Utilities Committee on the establishment of new Internet companies to break the monopoly.

Meanwhile, MP Dr Ali Al-Omair stressed the need for the government to closely monitor the ISPs to ensure they offer the best services at an affordable price.
He said the government must activate its role in regulating the Internet service sector in the interest of the public.
Al-Omair believes the proposal presented by some of his colleagues to offer Internet services at lower fees annually is a good idea. He affirmed his support for any recommendation aimed at easing the financial burdens of the people.
He also denied allegations that he is against the proposal to put the Internet service under the control of the government.
He clarified it does not matter whether the private sector or the government provides the service, because what is important is the provision of the best service and lower fees.
It can be recalled that Islamist MP Mohammad Hayef on Wednesday submitted a draft bill for the government to provide high quality Internet service at affordable prices to the people.
He suggested an annual fee of KD 20, saying that Internet usage is not against the Islamic law and it is a basic human right. - Arabtimes