Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
E-commerce has shifted power from sellers to consumers in Bangladesh by eliminating information gaps and enforcing transparency. Online price comparisons, reviews, and service expectations are reshaping both digital and physical retail, making trust and customer service essential for long-term competitiveness.
Bangladesh’s Telecommunication (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025 proposes replacing the NTMC with a new surveillance body, but critics warn the reform lacks independence. With oversight mechanisms remaining under government control, human rights advocates argue the ordinance risks expanding state surveillance rather than delivering meaningful accountability.
Algeria has officially launched 5G services following regulatory approval and technical testing, enabling operators to begin nationwide rollout. The move supports the country’s digital economy strategy, with 5G expected to drive innovation, GDP growth, and advanced services across healthcare, industry, and education.
Algeria has officially launched 5G services following regulatory approval and technical testing, enabling operators to begin nationwide rollout. The move supports the country’s digital economy strategy, with 5G expected to drive innovation, GDP growth, and advanced services across healthcare, industry, and education.
Algeria has launched construction of a landing station for the Medusa submarine cable in Skikda, strengthening Mediterranean digital connectivity. The 8,700-kilometer system will connect over ten countries, support 5G and cloud services, and enhance network resilience, with full operations expected by early 2027.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has warned that misuse of SIM cards will be the responsibility of the registered user. PTA emphasized that SIMs must be registered in the actual user’s name and urged consumers to follow regulations to protect the security and reliability of Pakistan’s telecom network.
Mobily has launched the Ever Closer brand platform to mark its 20th anniversary, repositioning itself as a human-centric TMT brand. Developed with FP7McCann Riyadh, the platform emphasizes emotional connection, shared experiences, and customer relationships as Mobily enters its next phase of digital transformation.
VEON has launched Islamic banking services in Pakistan through Mobilink Microfinance Bank, opening its first branch in Karachi with expansion planned nationwide. The initiative supports financial inclusion and responds to rising demand for Shariah-compliant banking, as Islamic banking assets now account for over one-fifth of Pakistan’s banking sector.
STC Group has signed a five-year Master Frame Agreement with Ericsson to accelerate 5G expansion and advanced digital infrastructure deployment in Saudi Arabia. The partnership covers 5G technologies, cloud-native platforms, and managed services, supporting enterprise innovation, digital inclusion, and the Kingdom’s broader digital transformation goals.
e& UAE has become the first operator in the region to commercially deploy four-carrier aggregation on a live 5.5G network, combining FDD and TDD spectrum. The rollout delivers multi-gigabit speeds, improved coverage, and higher capacity, supporting advanced consumer and enterprise use cases with wider expansion planned from 2026.