Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
BTCL has launched free Wi-Fi and telephone services at Sylhet Osmani International Airport to boost connectivity for travelers. The Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications confirmed that full airport-wide Wi-Fi coverage will follow, marking a step toward improved digital services for passengers.
Severed Red Sea cables disrupted internet services across the Middle East, India, and Pakistan, affecting providers like Du, Etisalat, and Microsoft Azure. The outages highlight the fragility of subsea cable systems, which carry 97% of global internet traffic, and raise fresh concerns over regional digital security.
Jazz’s completion of a full 4G upgrade across Central Punjab regions cements its leadership in digital connectivity. With 75% of users on 4G, over 53 million customers now benefit from faster internet and access to healthcare, finance, education, and entertainment services, marking a major step toward Pakistan’s digital inclusion.
The UAE has the world’s fastest broadband at 399 Mbps, followed by Qatar (344 Mbps) and Kuwait (240 Mbps). Investments in 5G, fiber optics, and smart city projects are driving digital transformation, supporting sectors like education, healthcare, and fintech, and positioning these nations as global leaders in connectivity.
Vodafone Qatar has launched the ZTE U60 Pro Wi-Fi 7 5G hotspot, the region’s first device of its kind. With Wi-Fi 7, 5G-A speeds, a Snapdragon X75 chip, and a 10,000mAh battery offering 29 hours of use, the device connects 64 devices and is priced at QAR 999.
Morocco will launch 5G services in November, with Maroc Telecom, Orange Maroc, and Inwi leading the rollout. Coverage will reach 45% of the population by 2026 and 85% by 2030. The move strengthens Morocco’s digital transformation, with 5G set to power smart cities, industry, and digital health.
This landmark deployment of ZTE and MTN’s 5-band RRU in South Africa improves efficiency, reduces site complexity, and cuts power consumption by over 40%. It sets a new global standard for sustainable network evolution, empowering Africa’s digital transformation while addressing cost, capacity, and environmental challenges faced by telecom operators.
KaliSpot has launched its first 1Net smart kiosks in Dakar, offering interoperable cash-in/cash-out and digital financial services. The fintech plans nationwide rollout in 2025, regional expansion with Solarix, and aims to build West and Central Africa’s first hybrid intelligent proximity platform within three years.
TTCL will build over 1,400 communication towers by 2027 to expand rural connectivity and strengthen Tanzania’s digital economy. The government-backed initiative aligns with the National Digital Strategy and Vision 2050, positioning Tanzania as a future high-income, digitally advanced nation.
Grameenphone and Robi Axiata have commercially launched Bangladesh’s first 5G services, covering all divisional headquarters. The rollout is hailed as a transformative milestone, promising faster connectivity, innovation, and economic growth, while positioning Bangladesh for a more advanced digital future.