Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Ooredoo Qatar has launched the Eid Device Festival 2026, a two-week promotional campaign offering special pricing on iPhone 17 models and savings of up to 80% on selected devices. Customers also receive 1,000 additional Nojoom Points, with offers available across Ooredoo stores, Starlink outlets and the Ooredoo eShop.
PTML has acquired additional spectrum to strengthen its network capacity and prepare for future 5G services in Pakistan. The move is expected to enhance mobile connectivity, improve data speeds and support the country’s broader digital transformation and digital economy growth.
Oman’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth has launched a Digital Innovation Award to encourage libraries to adopt advanced technologies and improve digital services. The initiative aims to modernize library operations, promote innovative digital solutions and strengthen access to knowledge as part of the country’s broader digital transformation efforts.
Morocco saw a sharp decline in traditional mobile communication in 2025, with voice calls falling 12.55% and SMS dropping 16.46% as users shifted to messaging apps. Meanwhile, mobile subscriptions, internet users and 5G adoption continued to grow, reflecting increasing demand for data services.
Globe Telecom has introduced free roaming bundles and communication support for overseas Filipino workers in the Middle East amid regional tensions. The assistance includes calls, SMS and data for users in several countries, along with load credits and bill adjustments for customers in Iran and Iraq.
Simpaisa has acquired Bangladeshi payment gateway aamarPay and invested nearly $1 million to expand digital payment services. The deal marks a foreign fintech investment in a licensed Payment System Operator and aims to strengthen Bangladesh’s payment infrastructure, support cross-border transactions and promote financial inclusion.
Bangladesh has launched Starlink satellite internet on moving trains for the first time on a trial basis. The service is currently available free on three trains and allows passengers to access Wi-Fi by scanning a QR code. Authorities plan to expand the service nationwide if the pilot proves successful.
Bangladesh plans to allocate 10 MHz of unsold 700 MHz spectrum to state-owned Teletalk despite the operator having more than Tk 5,500 crore in unpaid dues. The decision follows a recent auction where Grameenphone acquired 10 MHz, leaving 15 MHz unused, raising questions about regulatory compliance.
Bangladesh’s internet subscriber base fell by about 70 lakh in six months mainly due to a drop in mobile internet users after the government reduced the SIM ownership limit from 15 to 10. Economic pressures and fewer active SIM cards also contributed, while fixed broadband subscriptions continued to grow slightly.
Bahrain’s government rejected a proposal to impose a 48-hour delay on overseas money transfers but supported stronger measures to combat cyber fraud. Authorities are focusing on public awareness campaigns, coordination between banks, telecom operators and regulators, biometric SIM verification, and technical systems to reduce fraudulent calls and SMS scams.