Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
The Taliban has imposed a nationwide internet and telecom shutdown in Afghanistan, creating a total blackout that disrupts flights, banking, education, and media. The move follows fibre-optic cuts and signals tighter control over information, with severe consequences for daily life, businesses, and especially women’s access to education.
India has launched its first indigenous 4G stack—the Bharat Telecom Stack—developed by BSNL, TCS, C-DOT, and Tejas Networks. Covering 97,500 towers across 26,700 villages, the project connects 22 million people, supports 5G upgrades, and cements India’s place among the world’s telecom technology leaders.
Lebanon has granted Starlink a license to provide satellite-based internet services nationwide after six months of negotiations. Initially available only to companies at $100 per month, the service aims to enhance connectivity in a country struggling with infrastructure and service reliability.
Bahrain’s internet users now benefit from triple the upload speeds and faster downloads after regulators mandated higher entry-level fibre speeds. The move strengthens Bahrain’s digital infrastructure, improves user experience, and supports innovation in a rapidly evolving digital economy.
BTCL will introduce Bangladesh’s first triple-play and quad-play services, offering unlimited data, voice, and video, plus wireless connectivity. Partnering with OTT platforms, the initiative also includes affordable 5G smartphones on installment, aiming to boost digital inclusion and transform communication and entertainment nationwide.
du has launched its 5G+ network in the UAE, based on 5G-Advanced, delivering up to 2x faster speeds than 5G. Supporting AI, AR, and UHD streaming, the network offers peak speeds of 5.4Gbps, enhanced reliability, and future-ready features like URLLC and mMTC for smart industries.
AFR-IX Telecom has secured USTDA funding to study extending the Medusa subsea cable to West Africa. The project aims to enhance Africa’s digital connectivity, enabling secure bandwidth for AI, 6G, and quantum technologies, while strengthening US-African cooperation against untrusted infrastructure providers.
Undersea cable cuts in the Red Sea have slowed internet access across Asia and the Middle East, with Microsoft and NetBlocks confirming widespread impact. Key subsea systems SEA-ME-WE 4 and IMEWE are affected, disrupting regional connectivity while global traffic outside the Middle East remains unaffected.
Telecom operator du has enabled emergency calling on 5G smartwatches across the UAE, allowing users to dial 999 directly from their wrist without needing a phone. The feature enhances safety for children, seniors, and fitness enthusiasts, marking a major step in integrating wearables into community protection.
Zong and ZTE have commercially launched the world’s first 480W high-power FDD Massive MIMO solution in Pakistan, boosting network capacity by 140%+ and user experience by 270%+. The dual-mode system supports 3G and 4G bands while preparing for next-generation evolution and AI-driven large-scale deployment.