Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Bangladesh ranks behind nine out of 12 lower-middle-income countries in smartphone ownership and mobile internet usage, according to the GSMA’s “The State of Mobile Internet Connectivity 2024” report. Challenges such as digital literacy, safety concerns, and affordability limit mobile internet access, despite growing awareness.
Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) has achieved the prestigious TIA-942-C data center certification, marking a significant milestone in Pakistan’s data center industry. The certification emphasizes PTCL’s commitment to excellence, offering secure, cost-effective, and resilient hosting services that support businesses’ IT infrastructure needs across major cities in Pakistan.
Space42 and ICEYE have formed a joint venture in the UAE to manufacture SAR satellites, building on their successful collaboration, including the launch of Foresight-1 in August 2024. This partnership advances the UAE’s Earth Observation capabilities, fosters technology transfer, and supports the nation’s space ambitions with local SAR production.
The GCC region is leading globally in digital government services, with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE driving citizen satisfaction and embracing AI-powered solutions. A report by BCG highlights the high trust in AI and the region’s commitment to digital transformation, aiming to meet rising citizen expectations and enhance public service quality.
Orange Tunisia, Tunisie Telecom, and Ooredoo Tunisia have secured 5G licenses, enabling them to roll out advanced mobile services across the country. This marks a significant step towards enhancing Tunisia’s telecommunications infrastructure and driving innovation in its digital economy, bringing high-speed connectivity to consumers and businesses.
Nokia and Aramco have successfully completed an optical transmission trial, achieving 2.4 Tbps using Nokia’s PSE-6 technology on Aramco’s existing fibre network. This collaboration strengthens Aramco’s network infrastructure for future demands. Nokia’s successful deployments in the region, including for Ooredoo in Oman, continue to advance high-speed connectivity.
Nokia and du have deployed the first commercial 5G Cloud RAN solution in the Middle East and Africa. Located in Abu Dhabi, the solution uses Nokia’s AirScale radios and Red Hat’s OpenShift platform, enabling du to scale its network and introduce services like AI and machine learning for multiple industries.
BTechnologie inaugurated its Center of Excellence in Rabat, marking a milestone in Morocco’s tech innovation. The center, a collaboration between Bouygues Telecom and Accenture, will focus on AI, 5G, data science, and software development. It aims to position Morocco as a leading tech hub, employing over 1,000 professionals.
Pakistan ranks 198th globally in internet speed, according to the World Population Review, with mobile speeds averaging 19.59 Mbps and broadband at 15.52 Mbps. Internet connectivity is further hindered by intermittent outages and reduced speeds, impacting media sharing on platforms like WhatsApp. However, improvements are expected in the coming months.
Orange Egypt has introduced eSIM technology, allowing users to enjoy the convenience of a digital SIM embedded directly into their phones. This eliminates the need for physical SIM cards, making it easier to switch networks or phone numbers seamlessly, offering a more efficient and innovative mobile experience.