Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
EDOTCO Bangladesh has launched a modernized 5G-ready Tower Operation Centre in Dhaka to optimize telecom tower management, improve connectivity, and support Bangladesh’s digital transformation. The facility is a major step in advancing telecom infrastructure, with a focus on sustainability and operational efficiency.
Nepal Telecom is preparing to launch 5G in Kathmandu and Pokhara, pending spectrum approval from the NTA. The operator plans selective SA-5G deployment in high-demand zones, with equipment procurement beginning once frequencies are granted. A commercial rollout is expected by FY 2082/83, marking Nepal’s first public 5G service.
Grameenphone has begun piloting Open RAN technology with Rakuten Symphony to test 4G and 5G NSA solutions ahead of a nationwide rollout in Bangladesh. Despite economic constraints, the Telenor-owned operator sees Open RAN as key to digital transformation, AI-driven growth, and enhancing its MyGP platform for millions of users.
Presight and the Nasser Centre for Science and Technology (NCST) have joined forces to accelerate AI adoption and digital transformation in Bahrain. The partnership will drive innovation in smart cities, public safety, and digital governance, leveraging Presight’s AI expertise and NCST’s research capabilities to advance regional competitiveness.
The Committee on Public Finance has approved the Sri Lanka Telecommunications (Amendment) Bill, aiming to regulate satellite-based internet services and modernize industry regulations. The bill, developed with stakeholder input, introduces new licensing types, strengthens the TRC’s powers, and promotes competitive market practices for consumer benefits.
Zain Bahrain collaborates with Ericsson on a trial to reduce radio site energy consumption by 35%, demonstrating a commitment to sustainability and efficient operations.
Govt publishes white paper on telecom sector
The government has released a white paper on Bangladesh’s telecommunications sector, documenting widespread corruption, administrative failures, and structural weaknesses that have accumulated over the past 15 years. The report was prepared by a task force formed in April last year with the approval of the chief adviser, tasked with reviewing allegations of corruption and misconduct within the Posts and Telecommunications Division.
After months of investigation and analysis, the task force submitted its final report, which the government published today. According to the official statement, the white paper finds that the sector has been undermined by systemic irregularities, misuse of authority, weak governance frameworks, and persistent institutional shortcomings.
The document provides a forensic review of 10 key entities under the Posts and Telecommunications Division, concluding that governance failures have distorted markets, eroded regulatory credibility, and resulted in the misuse of public resources. It identifies entrenched corruption, favoritism, politicised appointments, and procurement manipulation as recurring patterns that have weakened the sector’s ability to deliver affordable and reliable connectivity.
Prepared by a seven-member committee led by Professor Kamrul Hasan of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, the white paper describes the sector as structurally misaligned and operationally compromised. It warns that these deficiencies pose systemic risks to meritocracy, institutional trust, service delivery, and long-term reform.
A central focus of the report is the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), which it describes as a key source of irregularities rather than an effective regulator. The commission is accused of non-competitive recruitment practices, excessive age relaxations, improper absorption of project-funded staff, re-employment of retirees, and conflicted commissioner appointments. The report says these practices blurred the line between regulator and employer, undermining institutional integrity and oversight.
The findings also extend to state-owned enterprises such as Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Limited and Teletalk, where boards are described as instruments of governance capture, with politicised decision-making at the board level contributing to inefficiency and financial losses.
The white paper includes a set of recommendations aimed at restoring transparency, accountability, and good governance. The government said it hopes the report will serve as a guideline for institutional reform, strengthen anti-corruption measures, and support the delivery of more efficient and citizen-friendly telecom services in the future.
The country is actively seeking partnerships with experienced international telecom companies.
The Digital Foreign Direct Investment Forum 2025 (DFDI) in Pakistan concluded successfully with the launch of the Digital FDI Pakistan Insight Report. The event highlighted Pakistan’s leadership in digital transformation, attracting over $700 million in digital investments. The forum emphasized global collaboration for advancing digital economies and sustainable growth.
Oxagon, the industrial hub of NEOM, has made significant strides in 2024, combining sustainability, innovation, and advanced technology to set new benchmarks in logistics and manufacturing. Its efforts, including renewable energy integration and cutting-edge AI, are in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, aiming for eco-friendly, efficient industrial development.