Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
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.
Together, the aerial drones and aquatic robots operate within an integrated safety framework supported by trained lifeguards, continuous monitoring, and centralized control systems. The system enhances Dubai Municipality’s ability to respond quickly across wide coastal areas, particularly during complex or time-critical incidents.
The expansion of 5G infrastructure is expected to strengthen Algeria’s digital economy by improving connectivity, enabling business digitalisation, and supporting the development of advanced digital services.
MTN Uganda reported strong financial growth in 2025, with total revenue rising 13.6% to UGX 3.6 trillion and service revenue increasing 13.4%. Data and fintech services drove performance, with data revenue up 28.8% and fintech revenue up 17.3%. The operator also expanded 4G and 5G coverage while continuing investments in network infrastructure and digital financial services.
Officials said the measure is intended to ensure greater stability in telecom tariffs while addressing consumer concerns about frequent changes in mobile service pricing.
The broader WARDIP programme was launched in November 2023 to expand internet access and promote a single digital market in West Africa. Its first phase is currently supporting The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau and Mauritania.
In November 2025, reports indicated that work on the Red Sea segment of the 2Africa system had already been temporarily halted due to permitting challenges and attacks on vessels by Iran-backed Houthi forces. The Google-backed Blue-Raman cable project was also reported to have paused work in the region under similar circumstances.