Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Kuwait has launched 5G Advanced technology with Knetco as the lead implementor for Huawei, achieving a nationwide rollout on a compressed schedule. Offering speeds up to ten times faster than 5G, the technology will drive smart cities, AI-powered industries, and sustainable digital transformation under Kuwait Vision 2035.
Maroc Telecom and Inwi have launched Uni Fiber and Uni Tower to drive FTTH and 5G expansion in Morocco, targeting 1M fiber connections in two years and 6,000 towers in a decade. The joint ventures will invest MAD 4.4B in the first phase, offering open-access infrastructure to all operators.
Ethio Telecom, with Huawei, has deployed Africa’s first Solar-on-Tower solution in Addis Ababa. The technology integrates solar panels onto telecom towers, reducing diesel generator use by 40%, cutting emissions, and setting a new standard for green, space-efficient ICT energy infrastructure in Africa.
Telecom Egypt has preliminarily approved Helios’ binding offer to acquire a 75–80% stake in its Regional Data Hub subsidiary, valuing RDH at USD 230–260 million. Telecom Egypt will retain a minority stake, with EFG Hermes as financial advisor and ADSERO & A&O Shearman providing legal counsel.
Microsoft Azure services in the Middle East have been disrupted by undersea cable cuts in the Red Sea, affecting internet connectivity across the region and beyond. The outages highlight global dependence on submarine fiber optic infrastructure, which supports 97% of internet traffic and remains vulnerable to damage and regional instability.
BTCL has launched free Wi-Fi and telephone services at Sylhet Osmani International Airport to boost connectivity for travelers. The Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications confirmed that full airport-wide Wi-Fi coverage will follow, marking a step toward improved digital services for passengers.
Severed Red Sea cables disrupted internet services across the Middle East, India, and Pakistan, affecting providers like Du, Etisalat, and Microsoft Azure. The outages highlight the fragility of subsea cable systems, which carry 97% of global internet traffic, and raise fresh concerns over regional digital security.
Jazz’s completion of a full 4G upgrade across Central Punjab regions cements its leadership in digital connectivity. With 75% of users on 4G, over 53 million customers now benefit from faster internet and access to healthcare, finance, education, and entertainment services, marking a major step toward Pakistan’s digital inclusion.
The UAE has the world’s fastest broadband at 399 Mbps, followed by Qatar (344 Mbps) and Kuwait (240 Mbps). Investments in 5G, fiber optics, and smart city projects are driving digital transformation, supporting sectors like education, healthcare, and fintech, and positioning these nations as global leaders in connectivity.
Vodafone Qatar has launched the ZTE U60 Pro Wi-Fi 7 5G hotspot, the region’s first device of its kind. With Wi-Fi 7, 5G-A speeds, a Snapdragon X75 chip, and a 10,000mAh battery offering 29 hours of use, the device connects 64 devices and is priced at QAR 999.