Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Airtel Nigeria has implemented a 50% tariff hike, affecting both data plans and call rates. This change, aimed at boosting infrastructure investment, has faced criticism from consumer groups and unions. The Cloud Network Foundation has urged the government to reassess the hike, citing economic hardships and its impact on low-income Nigerians.
Bahrain’s Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications has signed a letter of intent with APM Terminals to enhance Khalifa Bin Salman Port infrastructure. The collaboration focuses on integrating advanced technologies, increasing operational capacity, and supporting sustainability, aligning with Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030 and reinforcing its position as a regional logistics hub.
e& enterprise has partnered with PayPal for a three-year collaboration to enhance payment capabilities through its digital payments platform. The integration will allow businesses in the UAE and beyond to adopt PayPal seamlessly, expanding cross-border commerce and enhancing global market reach through simplified payment processing.
Airtel has landed the SEA-ME-WE 6 submarine cable in Chennai, further strengthening its global network. This addition, alongside the previously landed cable in Mumbai, enhances Airtel’s capacity and connectivity, benefiting businesses in India. The cable will provide 220 TBPs of global capacity, aiding Digital India’s growing demand for data.
Robi Axiata posted a record profit of Tk 7.03 billion in 2024, driven by operational efficiency and strategic investments, despite challenges such as internet blackouts and rising SIM taxes. Revenue growth was minimal, but the company declared a 15% cash dividend, marking its highest payout since 2020.
Orange Jordan has upgraded its Broadband Network Gateway using Nokia’s 7750 Service Router across 76 sites in the country. The enhancement supports high-speed internet, IPTV, and personalized services, while also optimizing energy consumption. This upgrade helps meet growing demands and aligns with the company’s sustainability and efficiency goals.
stc Group, through stc.AI, launched Saudi Arabia’s first sovereign AI cloud platform in partnership with SambaNova. The platform, powered by Llama 405B, will offer enterprises advanced generative AI capabilities and open-source models, empowering Saudi developers and positioning the Kingdom as a leader in AI development.
AITA has partnered with SKYFive Arabia to provide high-speed in-flight connectivity to Egyptian airlines using advanced air-to-ground (A2G) technology. This collaboration will enhance passenger and crew connectivity on international routes, starting with Egypt-Saudi Arabia by 2025. The A2G network will benefit over 25 million passengers annually.
Pakistan’s seminar on 5G technology highlighted plans for 5G spectrum auctions in April-May, aiming to improve connectivity. Key speakers, including PTA Chairman Hafeez Ur Rehman and Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja, discussed how 5G deployment and enhanced submarine cable infrastructure will boost digital transformation and IT exports.
ZainTECH and Fortinet have partnered to enhance cybersecurity in the Middle East. This collaboration combines Fortinet’s advanced technology with ZainTECH’s regional expertise, providing businesses with proactive cyber protection and enabling digital transformation. The partnership will offer comprehensive, real-time cybersecurity services across the region.