Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Qatar has opened a public consultation on revising spectrum fees, introducing new pricing for emerging services such as direct-to-device satellite connectivity and extending fee frameworks above 40 GHz. The move signals a shift toward benchmarking satellite pricing against mobile spectrum, positioning Qatar as a forward-looking regulator shaping future satellite and 6G markets.
Pakistan’s telecom regulator has approved an MVNO framework and set the stage for a 5G spectrum auction in February. The reforms open the market to virtual operators, define phased rollout obligations, and significantly raise minimum broadband speed standards for both 4G and 5G nationwide.
Nigeria is preparing to pass one of Africa’s first comprehensive AI laws, introducing risk-based oversight, annual impact reporting, and enforcement powers for regulators. The framework aims to balance innovation with accountability, positioning the country as a regional leader in ethical and transparent AI governance.
Pakistan will auction 597.2 MHz of sub-6 GHz spectrum across six bands in 2026, divided into 62 lots. With new bands opening for the first time and strict caps on spectrum ownership, PTA aims to ensure fair competition while giving operators the capacity to expand 4G and deploy 5G nationwide.
PTA has warned the public about a rise in phishing scams targeting personal and financial data. The regulator urged users to avoid suspicious links, verify senders, and never share sensitive information, stressing that PTA never requests personal details. Citizens are encouraged to report scams and spread awareness.
Pakistan’s Senate IT Committee raised alarms over excessive PTCL board fees, unresolved FIA corruption cases, and weak data protection. Lawmakers questioned governance standards, slow recoveries, and repeated data breaches, calling for audits, regulatory reform, and stronger legislation to safeguard citizens’ information and restore trust in digital institutions.
Tarasol has been accredited by Saudi Arabia’s Digital Government Authority after meeting 66 national criteria for government correspondence systems. Selected among only nine platforms, it reflects NVSSoft’s decade-long role in public-sector operations, strengthening Saudi Arabia’s digital governance framework while advancing AI-enabled, compliant, and interoperable government services.
Nigeria’s telecom regulator is positioning 2026 as a turning point, promising better service quality, stronger consumer protection, and a fairer market. The NCC says balancing user trust with operator sustainability will drive investment, innovation, and inclusion, supporting Nigeria’s ambition to build a $1 trillion digital economy by 2030.
Aramco Digital’s 450MHz industrial network marks a major leap in Saudi Arabia’s industrial digitisation, enabling secure, resilient connectivity for mission-critical operations. With AI-enabled devices and nationwide reach, the platform will power industrial IoT, automation, and real-time monitoring across energy, logistics, utilities, and smart infrastructure.
PTA has completed the Information Memorandum for Pakistan’s 5G spectrum auction, outlining auction design, spectrum availability, and participation rules. The move follows a new policy directive aimed at easing financial risk and accelerating nationwide 5G rollout.