Setec will begin deliveries to Kuwait in June with a view to completion in September. Earlier this year, Setec supplied the first 800,000 SIMs faster than was originally agreed with the customer. The new SIMs were well received by the market and Wataniya Telecom has therefore decided to place a new order to meet increasing demands.

The PKI-based SIM cards enable the mobile phone to be used securely for an increasing range of applications, for example for m-commerce, to digitally sign documents and to access Internet-based services. These services will now be rolled-out extensively in Kuwait.

“The co-operation with Wataniya Telecom is an excellent example of Setec’s strategy to develop products that add value to our customers. We are pleased to note that this card, developed by Setec, is one of the key boosters for Wataniya Telecom’s business in Kuwait,” states Mr Tapio Vailahti, Senior Vice President in Setec’s Telecom & Media business unit.

“We have succeeded in strengthening our position in the Kuwait telecom market. The combination of Setec’s flexible and fast operations with the versatile and interesting services that we can provide to our customers thanks to the PKI SIM cards, have a major role in our success,” says Mr Harri Koponen, CEO of Wataniya Telecom. “We want to offer our customers additional services that bring real value,” emphasizes Mr Koponen.

Wataniya Telecom launched the PKI SIM cards in March and the market interest has been high ever since. Wataniya Telecom will upgrade all its customers’ SIM cards with the new and versatile PKI SIM cards, developed and manufactured by Setec.