Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Kalaam Carrier Solutions (KCS) and Riedel Networks have renewed their partnership for three more years to deliver resilient connectivity for motorsport, enterprises, and broadcasters across MENA. The alliance, anchored by Kalaam’s Bahrain-based POP and KNOT cable system, will expand infrastructure, interconnections, and services to meet growing digital demands.
Saudi Arabia’s telecom sector is evolving from price and infrastructure competition to a customer experience-driven model. A New Metrics survey reveals STC’s strong market lead, but also highlights service quality, fair pricing, and trust as the key loyalty drivers. Digital adoption is strong, yet branches remain vital, underscoring the need for seamless hybrid experiences.
Academy X graduated its second cohort of young Kuwaiti women, showcasing 50 tech and entrepreneurship projects supported by Talabat and led by CODED. The program builds AI, coding, and leadership skills, aligning with Kuwait Vision 2035 while preparing female students to become future leaders in STEM and innovation.
Kuwait’s Municipal Council raised concerns about weak enforcement of telecom tower regulations under Table No. 17, questioning how new towers were licensed in prohibited areas. With deadlines already passed, Dr. Hassan Kamal urged authorities to clarify compliance measures and ensure accountability in implementing construction rules.
Digital Parks Africa and iXAfrica have formed a strategic partnership to connect South Africa and Kenya with integrated data centre services, creating a pan-African digital backbone. The move simplifies multinational expansion, supports hyperscalers and enterprises, and strengthens Africa’s capacity for AI, cloud, and next-generation connectivity.
Asiacell has launched Iraq’s first VoWiFi service, enabling customers to make calls over Wi-Fi in areas with poor mobile coverage. The service, free of charge and app-free, improves indoor call quality while easing network congestion amid Iraq’s rapid urban expansion.
Oman Lens will launch its second satellite by 2026, offering 50 cm resolution imaging to advance Earth observation and support Oman Vision 2040. Building on OL-1’s success, the mission is part of a planned 20-satellite constellation to provide advanced geospatial intelligence for government, business, and research.
Nepal Telecom is offering three days of free 1 Mbps data and on-net voice calls to help citizens stay connected during the current crisis. Subscribers can activate the services via short codes, as part of the operator’s effort to ease communication across Nepal.
Thunes has rolled out a real-time money transfer service in Morocco, enabling instant payouts in Dirhams. With Morocco receiving $11.5 billion in remittances in 2023, the service leverages direct bank integrations to ensure faster, cheaper, and more transparent cross-border payments, enhancing financial inclusion.
Kuwait’s Municipal Council has questioned authorities over telecom towers allegedly installed in violation of construction regulations. Council member Dr. Hassan Kamal demanded proof of enforcement of Table No. 17, which requires correction of non-compliant towers, and pressed for answers on how some were licensed on prohibited residential sites.