Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Iran’s mobile connectivity saw measurable improvement in October, rising three spots globally with faster download speeds. However, fixed broadband lags significantly behind global averages, highlighting the need for continued investment to support growing digital service demand.
Oman’s new MOFN service with Ciena boosts data speeds up to 1.6 Tbps per wavelength, enhancing regional connectivity for AI and cloud infrastructure. The end-to-end managed service strengthens Oman’s status as a strategic digital hub linking Asia, Africa, Australia, and Europe, while delivering secure, scalable bandwidth for hyperscalers and enterprise expansion.
Qatar Airways now has over half its wide-body fleet equipped with free gate-to-gate Starlink internet, enabling industry-leading high-speed connectivity across 200 daily flights as rollout accelerates ahead of schedule.
Oman’s TRA introduces a fast and efficient number portability system to boost competition, enhance customer experience, and align telecom services with global standards.
Morocco’s nationwide digital infrastructure push is accelerating, with 5G services now live in around 60 cities just one week after launch by Maroc Telecom, Orange Morocco, and Inwi. Minister of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni confirmed that fiber optic connectivity is now mandatory in all new construction projects under a joint ministerial decree adopted in September.
The Taliban reports rising mobile internet usage and expanded coverage, but recent network shutdowns and high connectivity costs undermine progress as Afghanistan remains one of the least-developed telecom markets worldwide.
China Mobile has landed the SEA-H2X subsea cable in Hong Kong and activated key eastern segments of the 2Africa system, strengthening connectivity across Asia, Africa, and Europe. SEA-H2X adds more than 100Tbps of China Mobile bandwidth and reinforces Hong Kong’s digital hub role, while 2Africa’s activation supports Africa’s digital economy through high-capacity, low-latency infrastructure and deeper China–Africa technology cooperation.
Batelco and BNET have partnered to deploy Bahrain’s landing and inland systems for the SMW6 and Al-Khaleej submarine cables, enhancing the Kingdom’s international connectivity, speed, and data resilience. The project strengthens Bahrain’s role as a regional digital gateway and supports national digital transformation goals by improving cloud access, reducing latency, and expanding global network capacity.
Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has urged faster progress on key digital infrastructure projects, including telecom tower rollout, SLUDI, and NIC issuance. Reviewing the work of TRCSL, DRP, and GovTech, he emphasised eliminating delays, scaling infrastructure, and strengthening governance as essential pillars for the 2026 Budget’s digital economy objectives and long-term transformation goals.
eSIM adoption is rising quickly in Saudi Arabia as travelers embrace Airalo’s seamless and affordable digital connectivity. The shift aligns with Vision 2030’s focus on mobility and innovation, enabling users to activate mobile networks instantly upon arrival abroad. With strong customer uptake and expanding global coverage, Airalo is helping position Saudi Arabia at the forefront of regional digital transformation.