17 March 2026
Headlines

ICT & Telecoms

Morocco Reaches 100% Urban Smartphone Penetration as Rural Digital Adoption Accelerates

Shahzaib02 mins

Morocco has achieved full smartphone penetration in urban households, with rural adoption rising quickly, according to ANRT’s latest ICT survey. Internet access and device ownership have grown sharply nationwide, driven partly by the pandemic. While digital connectivity improves access to education and services, rising online use among children is triggering increasing parental concerns and household tensions.

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Salam Confirms Progress on Medusa Cable, Strengthening Regional and Global Connectivity

Shahzaib02 mins

Salam and AFR-IX Telecom confirmed steady progress on the 8,700-km Medusa Submarine Cable System during Connected World 2025. As Saudi Arabia’s gateway partner, Salam is enabling backhaul and interconnection for the project, which will link 11 countries and deliver 480 Tbps capacity. The collaboration strengthens Saudi Arabia’s role as a Mediterranean-Middle East digital hub.

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Pakistan boosts global digital connectivity with launch of SEA-ME-WE 6 submarine cable

Shahzaib02 mins

Pakistan has joined the SEA-ME-WE 6 submarine cable system, adding 13.2 Tbps of international capacity to its digital infrastructure. The 19,200-km fibre network connects Singapore to France and delivers low-latency links while doubling the capacity of previous systems. With 4 Tbps activated immediately, the upgrade supports Pakistan’s cloud services, data centres and broader digital-economy growth.

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Vodafone Qatar tests Super Uplink technology, achieving 600+ Mbps and marking a leap toward 5G-Advanced

Shahzaib01 mins

Vodafone Qatar has completed a successful live-network test of Super Uplink technology on 5G-Advanced, achieving over 600 Mbps upload speeds. By combining two frequency bands, the solution boosts uplink performance by nearly half, enhancing everyday digital experiences and enabling advanced industrial applications. The milestone supports Qatar’s digital transformation goals and strengthens the nation’s position in next-generation connectivity.

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Oman signs agreement with Airbus to design and launch OmanSat-1, the country’s first national communications satellite

Shahzaib02 mins

Oman has signed a cooperation agreement with Airbus to build and launch OmanSat-1, its first national communications satellite. Based on the OneSat platform, it will strengthen digital sovereignty, expand secure telecom services and boost rural connectivity. Space Communications Technologies will operate the satellite, while the project drives talent development, SME participation and long-term space sector growth under Oman’s National Space Strategy 2023–2033.

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Edotco Bangladesh and Summit sign five-year agreement to accelerate integrated tower rollouts

Shahzaib02 mins

Edotco Bangladesh and Summit Communications have renewed a five-year space and power lease agreement to jointly accelerate tower rollout across the country. The partnership enables closer coordination on site development, colocation, and transmission planning, improving readiness for 4G and 5G networks. By integrating towers with Summit’s fibre backbone, the collaboration strengthens rural and urban connectivity and supports Bangladesh’s long-term digital growth.

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Thales and UAE Cyber Security Council partner to build national Cyber Centre of Excellence

Shahzaib03 mins

Thales and the UAE Cyber Security Council have signed an MoU to establish a Cyber Centre of Excellence that will bolster national cyber capabilities—starting with space cybersecurity. The partnership includes launching a Space META-SOC, a Cyber Evaluation Lab, and a Crypto Lab focused on PQC and QKD. The initiative supports UAE’s goals in cyber resilience, talent development, and technological sovereignty, with future expansion planned across additional strategic sectors.

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Tunisia unveils National Charter to strengthen child protection in the digital space

Shahzaib02 mins

Tunisia has introduced a National Charter to protect children online through a coordinated, multi-stakeholder approach involving government ministries, telecom operators, ISPs, and public media. The initiative focuses on enhancing family awareness, reinforcing parental supervision, promoting digital literacy, and addressing emerging risks linked to AI and internet expansion. The charter aims to strengthen digital safety, support national sovereignty, and empower families to create a secure environment for children’s online activities.

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Pakistan Moves to Establish First National Cybersecurity Authority to Strengthen Digital Defense

Shahzaib03 mins

Pakistan is creating its first dedicated Cybersecurity Authority under the new National Cyber Security Act, aligning with NCSP-2021 and DEEP initiatives. With key systems already designated as Critical Information Infrastructure, the authority will centralize cyber defense, enhance response coordination, and strengthen national digital resilience through unified standards and governance.

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