Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Ufone and Zong have each deposited US$15 million to qualify for Pakistan’s 5G spectrum auction, which offers 597 MHz across multiple bands. The PTA hopes to raise over US$634 million, though operators face strict rollout and investment requirements that raise concerns about 5G’s financial viability.
MTN Ghana will invest $1.1 billion over three years to expand 4G and 5G networks, build data centres, and strengthen AI and cloud infrastructure. The initiative aims to enhance digital inclusion, support skills development, and position Ghana as a regional digital hub in West Africa.
e& Carrier & Wholesale Services has activated the 2Africa submarine cable at its SmartHub data centre in the UAE. Spanning 45,000 km, the system enhances international capacity, resilience, and latency performance, reinforcing the UAE’s role as a global connectivity hub amid growing demand for cloud and digital services.
Türk Telekom and InterDigital have demonstrated the world’s first collaborative cellular and Wi-Fi sensing system based on early 6G architecture. The ISAC-powered solution improves indoor sensing accuracy and continuity, supporting use cases in manufacturing, healthcare, and smart buildings while advancing global 6G standards development.
Pakistan’s 5G spectrum auction is advancing as $30m in earnest money has been deposited ahead of the February 27 deadline. With Ufone and Zong confirmed and Jazz expected to join, the March 10 sale of 597 MHz aims to raise over $634m and accelerate next-generation mobile services nationwide.
Ericsson ConsumerLab research shows half of Saudi consumers would choose guaranteed 5G performance in key moments, with many willing to pay more. Assured connectivity now strongly influences mobile plan decisions and could add up to two months of ARPU annually. AI growth is expected to further increase demand for premium network experiences.
Saudi Arabia is reportedly considering rerouting the East to Med Data Corridor through Syria instead of Israel, reflecting shifting geopolitical dynamics. The move aligns with Riyadh’s broader push to expand regional digital infrastructure and position itself as a data bridge between Asia and Europe.
Bangladesh’s 4G median speeds exceed new QoS benchmarks, driven by spectrum investments and 3G refarming. However, bottom 10th percentile data reveals compliance gaps in rural and edge zones, highlighting the need for targeted network densification.
Saudi Arabia is leveraging MORAN to accelerate 5G rollout, reduce infrastructure duplication, and enhance sustainability under Vision 2030. By enabling shared radio infrastructure while preserving competition, the model supports giga-project connectivity, faster deployment, and lower energy consumption nationwide.
Finnfund has invested $5m in CREI to expand solar-hybrid energy systems across MTN South Sudan’s telecom sites, boosting network coverage to 80% of the population and cutting emissions by 43%, while supporting community health and gender inclusion initiatives.