Omar Al-Omar, Chairman of CITRA, emphasized the transformative impact of AI on global business and daily life at the International Forum on Artificial Intelligence in Kuwait. The forum discussed the integration of AI in enhancing governmental and private sector operations, highlighting the shift towards digital smart procedures and services.
Dialog Axiata PLC has reaffirmed its commitment to the GSMA’s Connected Women Commitment Initiative, aiming to close the gender gap in mobile technology use in Sri Lanka. This move supports enhanced access to mobile internet and financial services for women, promoting gender equality and broader socio-economic benefits.
The 13th Bahrain National Robotics Competition, under the patronage of Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, concluded successfully, showcasing young talent in STEM. Organized by the Ministry of Education and Britus Education, the competition emphasized environmental sustainability through robotics, with significant participation from students across various educational levels.
In 2023, Bangladesh’s internet subscriber count rose to 131 million, including 7 million new users, with 118.49 million on mobile and 12.88 million on broadband. The total mobile subscribers also increased to 190.81 million, driven by 10.61 million new users last year, according to BTRC data.
Indonesia is set to launch SpaceX’s Starlink satellite broadband within two weeks, following approvals from Indonesian authorities. This initiative aims to enhance internet accessibility across remote areas and the new capital city, promising a significant boost in connectivity and digital inclusion for the geographically diverse nation.
Kazakhstan has completed an interface station for the OneWeb satellite network, aiming to start commercial services within the year. Additionally, the nation is developing a new satellite constellation for Earth observation. Meanwhile, over 170 villages now have satellite internet access, despite recent controversies in the digital ministry.
Turk Telekom has expanded its fiber network to 437,000 km, covering 32.2 million households in Turkey. As the leading provider, it has also linked 52% of its LTE 4G base stations with fiber. Committed to 5G readiness, it offers innovative solutions through a new partnership with Schneider Electric.
In 2023, Saudi Arabia achieved a remarkable 99% internet penetration rate, indicating widespread digital access across the population. The “Internet Saudi Arabia” report reveals extensive daily usage, predominance of mobile access, and significant engagement in online shopping and government services, supported by strong infrastructure that places the nation among global leaders in internet speed.
The National Bank of Oman and NBO Muzn Islamic Bank, in partnership with Samsung Gulf Electronics, have introduced the Samsung Wallet. This innovative digital payment solution enables secure, contactless transactions globally, offering enhanced convenience and security for users’ banking needs starting April 28, 2024.
Ericsson has signed a memorandum of understanding with Jordanian telco Umniah to enhance 3G and 4G networks in Jordan. This partnership will see the deployment of Ericsson’s advanced radio system products and the utilization of additional spectrum to expand network capacity and coverage, improving mobile broadband services across major cities.
