Veon subsidiary Banglalink has agreed to sell around a third of its tower portfolio in Bangladesh to Summit Towers for $100 million. This strategic move, involving the transfer of over 2,000 towers, aligns with Veon’s shift towards a digital operator model and will help Banglalink focus on digital services expansion.
Google Cloud has launched a new cloud region in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, to offer advanced cloud services to various sectors and support Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. This strategic expansion is expected to add significant economic value and job creation by 2030. The initiative includes collaborations and a focus on aiding SMEs and startups, particularly through the upcoming Google for Startups Cloud Program.
Sharjah-based digital ecosystem re.life announces its expansion across the MENA region, with new offices in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, and Turkey. The company operates ‘re.life market’ for recyclable trading and ‘re.life collect’ for logistics services. This expansion follows significant growth in 2023, with a substantial increase in transactions and user engagement on both platforms.
Banglalink, Bangladesh’s third-largest mobile operator, is postponing its IPO launch due to current market conditions, including political uncertainties and underperformance of telecom stocks. The company, optimistic about a 2024 IPO, has also explored partnerships with digital banks and recently initiated a national roaming field trial with Teletalk. Challenges include non-implementation of SMP restrictions and unfeasible regulations for SIM-locked handsets.
Jazz, Pakistan’s leading digital operator, in partnership with AT&T, has launched Pakistan’s first VoLTE roaming services in the US. This service ensures superior voice quality and faster call setup for Jazz customers traveling to the US, especially since AT&T has discontinued its 2G and 3G services.
Taly, backed by Banque du Caire, is set to launch new digital payment platforms for corporate and individual users as part of its expansion strategy. The company, which already provides payment solutions to merchants, is enhancing its services with a focus on digital transformation and security, and aims to significantly increase its customer base and transaction volume.
Ooredoo, in collaboration with Cisco, has launched the Cloud Phone service in Qatar, enhancing its business broadband offerings. The event highlighted this strategic partnership and showcased the capabilities of Cisco’s BroadSoft platform, underlying the Cloud Phone service.
Dialog Axiata collaborates with ICTA and industry leaders to unveil the Innovation Challenge, welcoming Sri Lankans to lead the charge in digital innovation with substantial rewards and investment prospects.
UNESCO adopts UAE’s proposal to mark October 29 as the international day of coding and March 19 for digital education, signifying the UAE’s digital innovation drive.
Ooredoo Kuwait’s annual employment program aims to develop young Kuwaiti talents in telecom, focusing on training and career growth, aligning with the company’s commitment to diversity and local talent empowerment.
