Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
A fire at Telecom Egypt’s data centre in Cairo resulted in four deaths and disrupted communications and banking services. Connectivity dropped significantly, but authorities expect gradual service restoration. The incident is believed to have been caused by an electrical fault, and support is being extended to affected families.
EDOTCO Bangladesh and Tiger New Energy have joined forces to pilot renewable energy solutions for telecom infrastructure, aiming to reduce carbon emissions and enhance energy access. Their collaboration introduces battery backup and charging technologies to support sustainable connectivity and advance Bangladesh’s green energy goals.
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar met with Etisalat Group’s CEO and senior officials to discuss expanding investments in Pakistan’s ICT and telecom sectors. The government emphasized its commitment to a business-friendly environment to boost the digital economy. Etisalat reaffirmed its long-term dedication to supporting Pakistan’s digital development and connectivity targets.
Pakistan’s mobile phone market continues to strengthen its local assembly capabilities, significantly reducing dependency on imports and enhancing domestic production. Meanwhile, regulatory vigilance remains high with strong consumer complaint resolution, reflecting efforts to ensure quality and reliability in telecom services.
Nepal’s smartphone imports surged 21% to nearly 2 million units worth over Rs. 32 billion in the first 11 months of fiscal year 2024/25. China remains the largest supplier, followed by India and other countries, contributing to increased government revenue and greater market availability.
Egypt’s NTI has launched a four-month Telecom Network Security training track under the Digital Egypt Youth – HireReady initiative, equipping recent engineering and computing graduates with practical cybersecurity skills for legacy and next-gen telecom systems. Applications close July 4, with training starting July 19, 2025.
Pakistan’s Ministry of IT and Telecom confirms ongoing dialogue with Microsoft amid reports of the company exiting after 25 years. The ministry frames this as a strategic shift toward a partner-led cloud model rather than a market exit, while former Microsoft Pakistan manager highlights the exit’s significance and underlying economic challenges.
Microsoft is closing its subsidiary in Pakistan, shifting to support customers through partners and regional offices. The decision follows business model changes and reflects challenges in Pakistan’s tech investment climate, despite the country’s large population and government initiatives to boost the IT sector.
Syncrow has launched SyncOS, a cloud-based IoT platform designed to enhance smart building management across the GCC. Featuring real-time control, predictive maintenance, and wellness-focused automation, SyncOS supports regional sustainability goals and offers flexible integration for diverse environments.
The Internet Service Providers Association of Bangladesh (ISPAB) is reducing the minimum fixed internet package price from Tk 700 to Tk 500 starting July 1. ISPs currently offer speeds averaging 10 Mbps, with plans to raise minimum speeds to 20 Mbps if government fees like the Social Obligation Fund are lifted. ISPAB also committed to collecting the 5% VAT on bills to be deposited into the national treasury, urging customers to use licensed ISPs and pay VAT accordingly.