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’s state-run submarine cable operator denied claims of bandwidth shortage, citing 7,200 Gbps of current capacity and plans to reach 30,000 Gbps by 2026. The statement comes as the country’s first private cable project faces delays, underscoring tensions between state control and market liberalization.
The GSMA has launched two transformative initiatives with leading African mobile operators — one to make 4G smartphones more affordable and another to strengthen Africa’s homegrown AI ecosystem through localized language models.
Gulf Bridge International (GBI) has partnered with Nokia to deploy a next-generation optical network across the Middle East, using a new terrestrial route through Iraq to link Europe, Asia, and the Gulf. The system will deliver 50Tbps capacity with 100G–400G services, improving regional resilience and supporting the region’s growing cloud and digital economy.
ZTE and e& signed two major MoUs at GITEX Global 2025 to co-develop 5G private networks for smart cities and advance renewable energy innovation. The partnership supports UAE’s sustainability vision through AI-driven telecom infrastructure, energy-efficient systems, and next-generation connectivity across industries.
Jazz and DynaSys Networks have launched Pakistan’s first city-wide LoRaWAN network in Lahore, marking a major step toward smart city development. The network enables scalable IoT solutions across sectors like agriculture, industry, and urban planning. Fully compliant with PTA’s IoT framework and hosted locally, the system ensures secure, sustainable connectivity as part of Pakistan’s broader digital transformation.
Etihad Salam has partnered with AFR-IX Telecom to connect Saudi Arabia to the Medusa Submarine Cable System via Aqaba, Jordan. The deal establishes Saudi Arabia as a key interconnection hub between Europe, Africa, and Asia, enhancing digital capacity and supporting Vision 2030 goals. The 8,760 km Medusa cable delivers up to 480 Tbps of bandwidth, enabling faster, more resilient data transfer across continents.
du and DE-CIX have achieved a record 1 Tbit/s traffic milestone on UAE-IX, the Middle East’s largest Internet Exchange. Hosted on du’s datamena platform, the IX connects over 110 networks and drives regional data efficiency by keeping traffic local. The achievement, announced at GITEX Global 2025, underscores UAE-IX’s growing role as a digital backbone for the UAE and wider Middle East, supporting innovation, cybersecurity, and cloud-driven transformation.
Ethio Telecom has introduced low-cost cloud smartphones under the Znexus brand to make 4G access affordable and close Ethiopia’s digital divide. By moving processing to the cloud, the devices reduce costs and power needs while providing access to popular apps. The launch, alongside a new Cloud Workspace service, supports Ethio Telecom’s 2028 digital strategy to reach 99% 4.5G coverage and expand into cloud-driven business solutions.
The UAE commemorates the 25th anniversary of Thuraya 1, its first satellite and the Middle East’s first telecom satellite. Launched in 2000, the mission catalyzed the UAE’s transformation into a global space leader. Over two decades, the nation has evolved from space technology importer to developer, investing Dh44 billion to build a thriving commercial ecosystem now spanning communications, Earth observation, Mars, lunar, and asteroid missions.
Eutelsat has renewed its partnership with Oman’s Ministry of Information to continue national broadcasting services over the EUTELSAT 21B satellite. The deal reinforces Eutelsat’s role as a key satellite partner supporting Oman’s media infrastructure and government broadcast operations.