Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
The BTRC has unveiled a draft policy to reform Bangladesh’s telecom licensing framework, aiming to simplify the system, reduce operational costs, and encourage infrastructure sharing. However, ambiguities in the policy may lead to regulatory challenges. The reforms include a three-stage migration process, with full implementation set for 2027.
Oman’s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) is rolling out new initiatives to improve telecom transparency. Key updates include a regulation to ensure accurate billing systems and the launch of the “Commercial Caller ID” project, requiring corporate call centers to identify themselves and their purpose, aiming to protect consumers.
Bahrain’s Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications, Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, met with UNDP’s Dr. Abdallah Al Dardari to discuss enhancing cooperation in infrastructure, digital innovation, and artificial intelligence. The partnership aims to support Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030 and contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Egypt’s smartphone market is stabilizing after the implementation of a whitelisting regulation to curb illegal imports. Although shipments dropped by 18%, the government’s strategy to boost local manufacturing and reduce reliance on grey markets could ensure long-term growth, despite challenges like higher prices for legally imported devices.
Starlink has applied to the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) for a licence to operate in Bangladesh. With approval from the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), Starlink’s entry into the market would introduce satellite internet services under new NGSO guidelines. Pricing and reliability will be key for market success.
Pakistan’s mobile users face unreliable 3G and 4G services, despite the promise of 5G. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has not taken significant action against telecom companies for poor service, leading to frustration nationwide. Users report frequent signal drops and slow mobile data, with PTA’s fines yielding limited results.
Oman’s Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology launched the Digital Accessibility Guide to promote inclusive digital services. The guide helps mobile app and website developers adopt accessibility best practices, ensuring that services are usable by all, including people with disabilities and the elderly, while reducing future modification costs.
Meta has sent representatives to Nepal after the government set a deadline for social media platforms to register under new regulations. The registration is mandatory to avoid restrictions, with Meta and other platforms facing pressure to comply. The government aims to enforce compliance through potential penalties and platform bans.
The African Egyptian Centre for Telecommunication Regulation (EG-ATRC) hosted an online training course on frequency spectrum monitoring from April 6-10. The course, attended by 28 experts worldwide, covered spectrum monitoring techniques, interference identification, and electromagnetic field measurements. This collaboration with the ITU Academy strengthens the Centre’s regional role in ICT training.
ZainTECH has secured a commercial license in Saudi Arabia, enabling the company to establish regional offices and expand its technology solutions across sectors like IoT, cybersecurity, AI, and cloud services. This move aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, strengthening local collaborations and contributing to the Kingdom’s digital transformation.