Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
MTN South Sudan has secured a 15-year operating license from the National Communication Authority, replacing an outdated Sudanese license. The new license includes commitments to expand coverage, improve service quality, and drive innovation. MTN aims to cover 90% of the population within ten years, despite affordability and infrastructure challenges.
Dialog Axiata successfully conducted Sri Lanka’s first VoNR trial on a live 5G network, using a Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra smartphone. The trial showcased VoNR’s benefits, including better voice quality, faster connections, and improved network efficiency. However, 5G services remain in trial stages as spectrum allocation is still pending.
The UAE and Ireland have signed an MoU to strengthen economic and technical cooperation, establishing a Joint Economic Commission. The agreement focuses on trade, investment, renewable energy, and other sectors, aiming to foster deeper bilateral ties and promote sustainable development. Non-oil trade between the nations reached $1.1 billion in 2024.
Recent data from Tunisia’s telecom regulator shows a shift towards data-driven services, with mobile internet usage and 4G adoption growing, while traditional voice services plateau. Mobile broadband is now the dominant access point, highlighting a digital transformation in the telecom sector that operators and regulators must support.
Sri Lanka hosted the APICTA Executive Committee Meeting 2025, bringing together representatives from 15 member economies to discuss regional ICT collaboration and innovation. The event highlighted Sri Lanka’s growing role in the digital economy and featured discussions on e-governance, smart infrastructure, and digital entrepreneurship.
Saudi Arabia has achieved a global milestone in artificial intelligence, ranking first in women’s empowerment in AI. The Kingdom also ranked highly in AI job growth, talent attraction, and leading AI models. These accomplishments reflect Saudi Arabia’s strategic efforts to lead in AI as part of Vision 2030.
Prepaid mobile users in Qatar are calling on authorities to address concerns over high rates and short validity durations of telecom packages. Following a report by The Peninsula, many users voiced their dissatisfaction on social media, urging for more affordable and customer-friendly mobile service options in the country.
Starlink is set to launch its satellite internet service in Pakistan by November or December 2025. The service is in the final stages of the licensing process, with a regulatory framework being developed. Starlink’s infrastructure deployment is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
Iraq is emerging as a crucial digital and commercial transit hub, connecting Europe and the Middle East with its new digital corridor. Strategic investments in telecom infrastructure are providing low-latency, resilient routes for global carriers, service providers, and hyperscalers, mitigating risks in the Red Sea and offering diverse connectivity options.
Bangladesh plans to overhaul its ICT and telecom policies by June to eliminate barriers to digital growth. Key reforms include the Cyber Security Ordinance, telecom licensing changes, and full digital payment interoperability. These measures aim to strengthen citizen services, digital payments, and empower the youth population through technology.