Nepal Telecom has expanded 4G services to Machhapuchhre and Annapurna Base Camps, benefiting tourists and locals. Deurali has also been upgraded to 4G, marking the first time 4G is available at such high altitudes, enhancing connectivity in these popular trekking destinations.
Türkiye’s indigenous telecommunications satellite, Turksat 6A, will launch next month via a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Expanding coverage to India, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia, the satellite will increase Türkiye’s reach from 3.5 billion to over 5 billion people, covering more than 65% of the world’s population.
Bangladesh’s ‘Made in Bangladesh’ roadmap aims to boost IT device manufacturing and exports, potentially creating 100,000 jobs and earning $5 billion by 2025. The plan focuses on digital transformation, leveraging local production, and international branding, supported by government and industry collaboration.
Vodafone Qatar, in collaboration with Microsoft and Crayon, hosted workshops to introduce digital solutions like ‘Vodafone Calling’ and ‘Microsoft Copilot’. These solutions aim to enhance business communication, leverage AI, and ensure cyber security, supporting the digital transformation of large enterprises in line with Qatar National Vision 2030.
Trend Micro’s 2023 Annual Cybersecurity Report reveals blocking over 161 billion threats, a 10% increase from last year. The report emphasizes sophisticated attacker techniques, a 349% surge in email malware, and significant threat prevention in Bahrain, highlighting the need for proactive cybersecurity measures.
The Economic Survey of Pakistan 2024 reveals significant growth in the IT and telecom sectors, driven by the China-Pakistan digital corridor. Investments in digital infrastructure, AI, and 5G networks are expected to boost startups, create jobs, and position Pakistan as a regional technology hub.
Saudi Arabia saw a 14% annual increase in expatriate remittances in April, totaling SR11.35 billion. Payments from Saudis also rose by 30%, reaching SR4.94 billion. This growth is driven by new development projects, improved economic conditions, digitalization, and supportive regulatory reforms, enhancing the ease of doing business.
Sri Lanka’s computer literacy has increased to 39% in 2023, with digital literacy at 63.5%, according to the Department of Census and Statistics. Household computer ownership is at 20.2%, with urban areas showing higher rates of both computer and digital skills compared to rural and estate sectors.
Smartphone shipments in Africa have surpassed feature phones, with a 17.9% increase in Q1 2024, reaching 20.2 million units. This growth, driven by South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya, is led by Chinese brands and mid-range models. IDC predicts continued growth despite short-term economic uncertainties.
Aramco Digital, the subsidiary of Saudi Aramco, has received a Specialized Radio Network Licence in the 450MHz band from the Saudi CST. This license will facilitate a dedicated network for industrial sectors, advancing digital transformation and enabling IIoT applications, as announced by CEO Tareq Amin.
