Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Turkcell and Huawei have achieved a world-first in data transmission by reaching 2.4 terabits per second (Tbps) over a live transport network. The test, conducted between two data centers in Turkey, demonstrates the capability of advanced optical transport networks to meet growing demands in the digital age.
In October 2024, Bangladesh saw a significant rise in remittances, with Tk1,102.22 crore sent home via mobile financial services, marking a 95.22% YoY increase. This growth reflects the growing popularity of MFS platforms like bKash and Nagad, contributing to increased customer confidence and ease in remittance transfers.
Zong has been ordered by the Islamabad High Court to refund Rs2 billion to affected customers after the company failed to comply with a PTA directive. The case involves illegal service fees charged on prepaid mobile cards, marking a significant step towards greater consumer protection in Pakistan’s telecom sector.
Bangladesh’s telecom sector is hindered by restrictive policies, monopolies, and mismanagement. Key issues include stifling tower policies, limited fibre rollout, and regulatory inefficiencies. Reforming these areas could attract significant FDI, improve service, and accelerate digital transformation, helping the country realize its “Digital Bangladesh” vision.
Zain Group celebrated the success of Zain Esports in 2024, hosting 50 tournaments across the Middle East. With 820,000 unique viewers and a growing social media presence, Zain continues to strengthen its esports ecosystem, focusing on expanding gaming initiatives and competitions in 2025 and beyond.
Qatar’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology has launched the Digital Skills Working Group to enhance digital skills development across government entities. The group will focus on training programs, collaboration, and aligning efforts to create a robust digital skills ecosystem, supporting Qatar’s national digital transformation goals.
Oman and Palestine have signed an MoU to enhance cooperation in telecommunications, information technology, and the digital economy. The agreement aims to foster experience exchange and promote business partnerships between companies in both countries.
stc Group achieved a milestone in Riyadh Season, with a 61% usage rate for its 5G network in Boulevard City. By integrating AI and robust infrastructure, stc enhanced the visitor experience and supported major growth in international roaming and network expansion. This highlights Riyadh’s role as a global tech hub.
Viettel High Tech (VHT) and High Cloud Technologies (HCT) have formed a $1 million strategic partnership to supply 5G systems to the Middle East. The collaboration aims to enhance telecom coverage in suburban and rural areas, driving improvements in education, healthcare, and business by providing reliable digital infrastructure.
Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Digital Economy has launched a program to digitize all payments to government institutions, aiming to improve efficiency and reduce fraud. The GovPay app is already connected to 16 institutions, with more expected to join by January 2025, streamlining processes and eliminating inefficiencies and corruption.