Buying Ooredoo Kuwait SIM cards & eSIMs: Detailed Guide

Buying an Ooredoo Kuwait SIM card is essential for staying connected during your visit to Kuwait.

In this detailed guide, you’ll discover everything you need to know about choosing the best Ooredoo Kuwait SIM card for your needs, from understanding coverage and speed to selecting the right SIM or eSIM options for tourists. This article will help you find the top plans, learn where to buy your SIM or eSIM and guide you through topping up your balance while in Kuwait.

I. Overview of Ooredoo Kuwait – What you need to know

Ooredoo Kuwait is a telecom company offering mobile, internet, and communication services. Here are the key features of the network:

• Foundation: In 1999 as Wataniya Telecom and rebranded in 2014.
• Popularity: It’s part of the Ooredoo Group, which operates in 10 countries, including Qatar and Oman.
• Rank: The second-largest mobile operator in the country, holding about 34% of the market.
• Coverage: It has good coverage in cities like Kuwait City, but some rural areas have weak signals. Its 4G network reaches around 90% of the population.
• Speed: Ooredoo Kuwait’s 4G is among the fastest in Kuwait, with average download speeds up to 100 Mbps.

II. Ooredoo Coverage in Kuwait

Source: nperf.com

Ooredoo has mixed coverage performance in Kuwait, with some areas doing well but definitely some improvement in others. According to the Opensignal’s latest report:

• Coverage Experience: Ranks 2nd with a score of 6.4 out of 10, behind Zain (7.8) but ahead of stc (6.0).
• Availability: Ranks 1st with a score of 97.8%, alongside stc and Zain.
• 5G Availability: Ranks 2nd at 37.4%, behind stc (42.4%) but ahead of Zain (33.2%).

Ooredoo has pretty solid coverage in urban spots like Kuwait City and Salmiya. That said, it might not be as reliable in more remote areas or the desert.

When stacked up against Zain and stc, Ooredoo comes in 2nd overall for coverage area. It holds its own in general availability, but it falls just a bit behind in 5G coverage and overall experience.

III. Ooredoo Speed in Kuwait

Ooredoo offers impressive mobile network speeds in Kuwait, according to the Opensignal report. Here’s a breakdown of Ooredoo’s speed performance:

• Download Speed: 57.4 Mbps
• Upload Speed: 15.7 Mbps

Ooredoo offers the fastest download and upload speeds among mobile operators in Kuwait. Its strong download speed beats the competition, ensuring Ooredoo users enjoy quick and reliable mobile data for streaming, browsing, and file transfers.

IV. Types of Ooredoo Kuwait SIM Card Options for Tourists

Ooredoo Kuwait offers two main types of SIM card options for tourists:

• Prepaid SIM Card
• eSIM

Comparison of Prepaid SIM Card vs. eSIM

Criteria	Prepaid SIM Card	eSIM
Activation	Requires physical installation	Instant digital activation
Convenience	Visit a store or kiosk	Activate anywhere online
Compatibility	Works with most phones	Only for eSIM-compatible devices
Cost	Generally cheaper	Slightly higher for convenience
Availability	Available at multiple locations	Instant download, no physical visit needed

► Recommendation: Consider an eSIM if your device supports it and you want convenience. But a physical SIM card is easier if you need one right away or aren’t sure about eSIM compatibility.

V. Top Ooredoo Kuwait SIM cards for Tourists & Prices

Ooredoo offers a variety of SIM card options for tourists that are tailored to their needs and budgets. Let’s look at the best SIM cards for travelers and their prices!

Plan Name	Data (GB)	Local Minutes	Validity (Days)	Price (KWD)	Price (USD)	Additional Benefits
ANA START	30GB	100	30	5	16.37	Free Delivery, Free SIM Activation
ANA PLUS	60GB	100	30	6	19.64	Unlimited Ooredoo minutes, Free Delivery, Free SIM Activation
ANA PRO	100GB 5G	500	30	9	29.46	Unlimited social media, Unlimited night internet, Unlimited Ooredoo minutes, Free Delivery, Free SIM Activation

VI. Where can tourists buy Ooredoo Kuwait SIM cards?

You can buy an Ooredoo SIM card directly at the airport, after arriving in Kuwait city center, or online before departure.

1. Buy Ooredoo SIM at Kuwait Airport

Where to find the Ooredoo SIM counter:

• Airport Kiosk: Next to Altejari Bank, open 24/7
• Ooredoo Store: Next to the airport exit, also open 24/7

Buying process:

• Show your passport or ID to the staff. 
• Pick from different options, like data-only or voice and data plans. 
• Prices might be a bit higher than in the city center, ranging from KWD 5-20 (~ $16-65). 
• Expect lines, especially during busy travel times.

2. Buy Ooredoo SIM in Kuwait City Center

Where to find Ooredoo SIM retailers:

• Use Google Maps to find addresses that sell Ooredoo SIM cards, such as:
  • Ooredoo Store, Kuwait City
  • Alghanim Electronics, Salmiya
  • X-cite, Hawalli
• You can also find SIM cards at convenience stores, train stations, or other network-representative stores.

Buying process:

• Registering your personal information can be a complicated process.
• Prices are generally lower than at the airport, with a range of KWD 3-15 (~ $10-50).
• Be prepared to spend some time and effort to complete the registration process.

3. Buy Ooredoo Kuwait SIM Card Online Before Departure

Where to buy online:

• Websites selling tourist SIMs, such as Keepgo or WorldSim
• Online marketplaces like Amazon or eBay

Buying process:

• No personal info needed; just give your name, phone number, and shipping address. 
• Pick from data-only or voice and data plans. 
• Prices range from KWD 5-20 (~ $16-65). 
• Your SIM card will be sent to you before you leave.

This method is highly recommended for tourists, as it’s proactive, convenient, and reasonably priced.

VII. A Better Alternatives to Ooredoo SIM cards – Kuwait eSIM

If your phone supports eSIM, you should definitely consider using Kuwait eSIM instead of regular Ooredoo SIM cards. eSIM lets you stay connected without a physical SIM card, making it a more convenient and affordable option for travelers.

Gigago is a leading provider of eSIM services, offering different data plans for those visiting Kuwait. With Gigago’s eSIM, you’ll enjoy easy connections, fast data speeds, and low prices.

Flexible Data Plans with Gigago

For Kuwait, Gigago offers multiple data plan options, starting from 1GB/day for 7 days with $5.00 . What is great about Gigago’s Kuwait eSIM is that its plans’ costs are diversifying, varying between $5.00 – $44.00 .

Thus, it does not matter how many Internet users you are or how long your trip in Kuwait is. Gigago always has an option for you.

VIII. How to top up the Ooredoo Kuwait SIM Card?

There are several easy ways to top up your Ooredoo Kuwait SIM card:

• My Ooredoo App: Download the app to add balance directly from your phone using a debit/credit card or Apple Pay/Google Pay.
• Online via Ooredoo Website: Go to the Ooredoo website, enter your phone number, choose an amount, and pay using KNET, credit cards, or online banking.
• Ooredoo Recharge Cards: Buy a recharge card from stores, scratch it to get the code, and enter it via SMS or the app to add credit.
• Auto Top-Up: Set up auto top-up in the app or website to keep your balance full automatically.
• International Top-Up: If you’re traveling, friends or family can use international services to top up your SIM from abroad.

IX. FAQs about Ooredoo Kuwait SIM Cards

X. Conclusion

I hope this post helps you understand how to get and use an Ooredoo Kuwait SIM card. Whether you pick a physical SIM or an eSIM, staying connected in Kuwait is easy. Try Gigago Kuwait eSIM for flexible and fast data plans if you want a more convenient option. Stay connected, and enjoy your trip!