Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Kuwait has introduced a new mobile number portability framework allowing users to switch operators while keeping their numbers. The regulation promotes competition, strengthens consumer rights, and modernizes telecom operations under CITRA oversight.
IATA has called on global telecom regulators to set permanent safeguards ensuring 5G and 6G networks do not interfere with aircraft systems. With temporary mitigations nearing expiry, the aviation industry warns that clear global rules are needed to protect flight safety across all phases of operation.
Bangladesh rewrote its telecom policy in 2025, introducing new licensing rules, surveillance reforms, and satellite internet entry. While the reset addressed long-standing issues, concerns remain over foreign ownership caps, regulatory independence, and competitive balance.
A temporary permit for Facebook’s Free Basics service in Egypt expired, leading to the suspension of the initiative on Etisalat’s network. Officials said the decision was administrative and not related to national security, despite Facebook highlighting its impact on first-time internet users.
VEON will invest $20 million in Mobilink Bank to scale MSME financing and expand digital Islamic banking in Pakistan. The move builds on earlier funding and reinforces VEON’s confidence in the country’s fast-growing digital financial services ecosystem.
Airtel Africa increased cumulative share buybacks to 40.93 million shares under its $100 million programme, reinforcing capital returns to shareholders. The cancelled shares reduce voting rights and support per-share metrics, reflecting management confidence while sustaining investment across the group’s African operations.
Libya Telecom and Technology Company confirmed ongoing DDoS attacks on its systems, saying emergency response measures were activated immediately to contain the impact. The company said essential services remain operational as monitoring and mitigation efforts continue.
PTA has started issuing district-level class licences for internet services to boost broadband access and local entrepreneurship. The 10-year licences come with defined fees and align with wider government efforts to strengthen digital infrastructure and advance Pakistan’s digital transformation agenda.
Ethiopian operators Ethio Telecom and Safaricom have raised tariffs in response to currency depreciation, rising costs, and heavy infrastructure investment. Safaricom announced a 44 percent increase in mobile data prices as both operators seek to stabilise operations amid macroeconomic pressures.
Egypt’s MCIT and Orange Egypt have signed a two-year agreement to expand telemedicine services in remote and underserved areas. The initiative will deploy mobile digital health units, link local clinics with major hospitals, and improve access to healthcare through scalable, technology-driven solutions.