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’s SIM re-registration process has seen 7.33 crore out of 13.08 crore active SIMs completed, but operators face overwhelming demand at registration points. Grameenphone and Banglalink have requested deadline extensions, citing the large backlog of unregistered SIMs still pending under BTRC’s directive.
Bahrain’s Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications and stc Bahrain have partnered to launch the country’s first digital bus station. The smart hub will improve service reliability, enable data-driven planning, and serve as a blueprint for future sustainable transport, aligning with Bahrain’s Vision 2030 and UN SDG 11.
Algérie Télécom has launched Idoom Medium Business, a flexible high-speed internet offer tailored to SMEs, startups, and retailers. With subscription tiers ranging from 200 Mbps to 1.6 Gbps, the service empowers Algeria’s economic backbone with the reliable digital infrastructure needed to drive productivity and growth.
Telecom Review Africa’s webinar highlighted fintech’s potential to add USD 47 billion to Africa’s economy by 2028. Experts emphasized inclusion, mobile-first services, interoperability, and partnerships with banks and telcos as key drivers. Closing the MSME credit gap, expanding digital literacy, and leveraging AI, blockchain, and open banking will define Africa’s fintech future.
Turkcell has demonstrated intercontinental 5G applications at TEKNOFEST 2025, including remote-controlled autonomous vehicles and construction equipment. With over $28 billion invested in mobile infrastructure and 5G set to launch in April 2026, Turkcell aims to drive digital transformation and position Türkiye as a regional digital hub.
South Korea’s SK Telecom, KT, and LG Uplus have enabled RCS messaging on iPhones via iOS 26, bringing group chats, high-quality media sharing, read receipts, and business brand profiles to Apple users for the first time. The update boosts interoperability, convenience, and trust in digital communications nationwide.
Bharti Airtel’s AI spam detection system has sharply reduced fraud, with losses down 68.7% and cybercrime incidents down 14.3% in less than a year. The tool has blocked billions of spam calls and hundreds of thousands of fraudulent links, reinforcing Airtel’s focus on real-time, AI-driven network security.
The Taliban has begun enforcing a fibre optic internet ban in Afghanistan, starting in Balkh and extending to at least ten provinces, with plans for a nationwide shutdown. The move, aimed at “preventing immorality,” cuts fixed internet for households, businesses, and institutions, sparking condemnation over its impact on rights, education, and economic activity.
Princeton Digital Group has partnered with TPREL and Flexidao to implement India’s first time-matched carbon-free energy system at its MU1 Mumbai data centre. The initiative enables hourly matching of renewable generation to consumption, advancing 24/7 clean operations, while PDG also expands renewable fuel adoption in Indonesia through HVO biofuel.
MTN Nigeria has signed a three-year lease for 20MHz of spectrum from T2 Mobile, strengthening its capacity and enabling its roaming agreement with the newly rebranded operator. The deal, aligned with MTN’s Ambition 2025 strategy, also signals a collaborative shift in Nigeria’s telecom market, with spectrum sharing and sustainability at its core.