Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Ofcom plans to drive innovation in UK communications by adopting flexible, collaboration-based regulation supporting 5G, broadband, and digital media while addressing the digital divide and privacy.
Bangladesh’s telecom regulator mandated 1GB free internet on July 18 to honor the July Uprising, marking digital freedom amid political history. Operators support the move but seek clarity on tax exemptions and cost coverage.
Bahrain supports Adel Darwish’s bid for ITU Deputy Secretary General, reflecting confidence in national expertise to drive global digital transformation and inclusive technology development.
Pakistan’s IT Minister announced the Digital Nation Pakistan Act and a five-point framework to harness data and technology for climate action and sustainable development. Initiatives include a National Incubation Center for Climate AgriTech and Pakistan Stack, aiming to empower youth innovation and digital governance.
Oman’s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority is actively dismantling illegal wireless networks to protect telecom stability, prevent interference, and safeguard user data, emphasizing strict enforcement and regulatory compliance.
The Thai Senate has appointed five members to the NBTC’s superboard oversight committee, representing broadcast, television, telecommunications, consumer protection, and rights promotion sectors. These appointments follow a rigorous vetting process to enhance NBTC governance and sectoral oversight.
Bangladesh’s government plans to establish a national fibre optic bank to centralize and monetize underutilized fibre assets from public agencies. This initiative aims to lower costs, improve internet speeds, enable nationwide 5G deployment, and enhance digital inclusion, while ensuring transparency and fair competition in the telecom sector.
Nigeria’s NCC has introduced mandatory licensing and centralized routing for A2P messaging to combat spam, enhance consumer protection, and secure telecom revenues. The new framework imposes operational requirements and supports national goals for digital sovereignty and cybersecurity.
Sri Lanka is developing a hybrid cloud infrastructure combining local sovereign and global public cloud services to support its digital identity program and broader data governance. The National Data Exchange and digital credentialing systems complement this infrastructure as the country targets rapid digital economic growth driven by AI and cloud technologies.
Pakistan has taken a major step in regulating its digital assets ecosystem by establishing the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA). This new independent body will license and oversee virtual asset providers, enforce AML protocols, and align with global standards. The move reflects Pakistan’s ambitions to become a South Asian digital assets hub following recent crypto policy developments.