Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Lebanon’s new Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, officially launched by Minister Charles Hage, signals a long-awaited reform of the sector, aiming to foster competition, expand high-speed internet, and attract private investment after years of state monopoly.
The BTRC’s July 2025 test revealed that Bangladesh’s major operators have failed to meet 4G rollout commitments, with coverage gaps in over half of surveyed areas. Grameenphone, Banglalink, Robi, and Teletalk all fell short of service benchmarks, prompting regulatory warnings and renewed scrutiny over network quality.
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has waived underground cable-laying fees for telecom firms for three years to expand affordable, high-speed internet. The policy aims to boost connectivity, lower infrastructure costs, and accelerate the province’s digital transformation and economic growth.
Morocco’s telecom regulator has mandated fiber optic infrastructure sharing under Decision DG/05/2025, requiring Maroc Telecom, Orange, and Inwi to open networks to rivals. The reform supports Morocco’s Digital 2030 strategy, boosts competition, expands connectivity, and lays the foundation for 5G deployment.
Bahrain’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister issued Edict (62) of 2025 appointing four officials to the Board of the Qatar–Bahrain Causeway Foundation. The appointments are for a renewable three-year term and strengthen oversight of the landmark infrastructure project.
Indonesia will auction 80 MHz in the 1.4 GHz band on October 13, with Telkom Indonesia, MyRepublic, and Viberlink entering the bidding stage. The spectrum is expected to expand 4G/5G capacity, improve coverage, and support affordable broadband, advancing Indonesia’s digital infrastructure goals.
Abu Dhabi has banned cryptocurrency mining on agricultural land, imposing a Dh100,000 fine on violators, with penalties doubling for repeat offenses. Authorities will cut power, seize equipment, and suspend support services for non-compliant farms. The move, a 900% fine increase from 2024, aims to safeguard food security and sustainability.
Morocco’s telecom regulator has mandated fiber optic infrastructure sharing to boost competition, lower costs, and expand broadband coverage. The reform targets growth from 1.5M households in 2022 to 5.6M by 2030, aligning with Morocco’s Digital 2030 vision and paving the way for enhanced internet quality and 5G readiness.
The Competition Commission of Pakistan has conditionally approved PTCL’s acquisition of Telenor Pakistan and Orion Towers, requiring strict oversight, separate governance, and fair access guarantees. If PTA clearance follows, the merger will create the country’s second-largest operator with 70 million subscribers, reshaping Pakistan’s telecom landscape.
Tunisia’s telecom regulator INT has launched a public consultation on fiber optic infrastructure sharing under the National Very High Speed Plan. Running until October 8, the initiative seeks industry input on mutualisation, deployment challenges, and fair access rules to accelerate nationwide high-speed internet rollout.