Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
BTCL has reduced registration and renewal fees for .bd second- and third-level domains by 36 percent, making national web addresses more affordable. The revised pricing lowers costs for startups, businesses, and individuals seeking an online presence, while continuing to operate under existing BTRC regulations.
Starlink has made its satellite internet service free for users in Iran amid protests and state-imposed internet blackouts. The move allows terminals to operate without payment, bypassing censorship and reinforcing Starlink’s growing role as a geopolitical tool enabling uncensored connectivity in authoritarian environments.
Dr. Sultan Al Jaber opened ADSW 2026 by framing AI as a transformative force dependent on energy. He warned of surging data centre demand, urged pragmatic growth, and positioned the UAE as a long-term leader balancing hydrocarbons with renewables, anchored by Masdar’s global clean energy legacy.
UAE-based fintech Mal has raised $230 million to build a mobile-first, AI-native Islamic digital bank. Founded in 2025, the Abu Dhabi-based platform targets underbanked communities and plans a 2026 launch, starting in the UAE before expanding across the Middle East and Asia.
Saudi Arabia’s STC Bank has partnered with Mastercard to expand cross-border payment services using Mastercard Move. The collaboration enables fast, secure transfers from the Kingdom to over 120 countries, supporting Vision 2030 by enhancing digital financial services, improving payment transparency, and offering flexible payout options for consumers and businesses.
Qatar has opened a public consultation on revising spectrum fees, introducing new pricing for emerging services such as direct-to-device satellite connectivity and extending fee frameworks above 40 GHz. The move signals a shift toward benchmarking satellite pricing against mobile spectrum, positioning Qatar as a forward-looking regulator shaping future satellite and 6G markets.
Pakistan’s finance minister says the country is at a critical early stage in building a regulated digital asset ecosystem. With plans for a Crypto Council and Virtual Assets Authority, Pakistan aims to balance innovation with risk, align with global standards, and channel growing crypto activity into a secure, bank-integrated framework.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister met Ericsson leadership to explore deeper collaboration in next-generation connectivity, including 5G, digital skills, and financial inclusion. The engagement reinforces Pakistan’s openness to foreign technology partners and highlights Ericsson’s long-standing role in strengthening the country’s telecom infrastructure.
Nepal Telecom is migrating user data to a new SMSC system on January 13–14, which may temporarily disrupt SMS services overnight. The upgrade is intended to improve reliability, speed, and security of text messaging across the network, strengthening the core infrastructure that handles message storage and delivery nationwide.
Ncell has written to Nepal’s Prime Minister warning that inconsistent telecom policies and unequal treatment are undermining investor confidence. The company cites discriminatory licence terms, high costs, and regulatory uncertainty, urging policy reform to ensure fair treatment, protect digital services, and sustain long-term investment in Nepal’s telecom sector.