Ericsson, in partnership with e& UAE, has successfully verified the Reduced Capability (RedCap) software solution on e& UAE’s 5G Standalone (5G SA) network. This marks the first implementation of Ericsson’s RedCap solution in a commercial network in the Middle East and Africa region, enabling new types of 5G IoT devices and offering new monetization opportunities in both consumer and industrial spaces.
China Mobile Pakistan (CMPak), operating under the Zong 4G brand, expanded its network and completed a significant modernization project in the first half of 2024. Zong 4G deployed over 400 new 4G sites and upgraded its base stations with 8T8R technology to enhance customer experience along the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor. Additionally, Zong upgraded over 1,400 battery banks to Li-Ion solutions for improved efficiency.
Kuwait’s National Mobile Telecommunications Company (Ooredoo) reported a 9% increase in consolidated revenue for the first half of 2024, reaching KD346 million ($1.1 billion). The growth was driven by strong performance in Kuwait, Maldives, Tunisia, and Algeria. The customer base grew by 4% to 25.5 million, and EBITDA increased by 8% to KD125 million. Net profit attributable to NMTC decreased to KD25 million due to a one-time gain in H1 2023, but excluding this gain, net profit would have been 23% higher.
Bayanat, a leading AI-powered geospatial solutions provider, and South Korean autonomous technology firm Autonomous a2z, have announced a joint venture to develop and deploy autonomous systems in the UAE and the wider MENA region. This partnership was launched at the DRIFTx event in Abu Dhabi, showcasing a teleoperated vehicle from South Korea, and aligns with UAE’s technological innovation goals.
The Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) will convene with Member States and digital economy experts to address the recent global IT outage that disrupted essential operations. DCO Secretary General Dheemah AlYahya emphasizes the need for effective international digital cooperation and sustainable policies to mitigate risks and ensure continuity in an increasingly digital world.
Siemens and BAE Systems have signed a five-year agreement to enhance engineering and manufacturing technologies through digital transformation. This partnership aims to develop future capabilities across BAE Systems using Siemens’ NX software, Teamcenter PLM, and edge computing solutions, promoting sustainability, industrial digitalization, and supply chain modernization.
ENOC Group has partnered with SAP and Moro Hub to advance cloud solutions, supporting the UAE Net Zero 2050 strategy. The collaboration integrates SAP S/4HANA Cloud through Moro’s Green Data Centre, promoting sustainable digitalization and environmental stewardship, while enhancing operational resilience and agility.
Saudi Arabia’s Emerging Technology Adoption Readiness Index improved from 60.35% to 70.70% in one year. The increase in participating agencies, along with advancements in AI, drones, digital twinning, and other technologies, highlights the Kingdom’s commitment to modernizing its digital infrastructure and aligns with Vision 2030 goals.
Jordan’s Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship, in partnership with Blockexe, has launched the Modee Dlt blockchain network to enhance trust in government services. This initiative, part of the Digital Transformation Strategy (2021-2025), aims to improve transparency, efficiency, and competitiveness in e-government services.
Orange Jordan and Proparco have partnered to enhance programming skills through Coding Academies, expanding digital inclusion in Jordan. The €1-million agreement aims to train more young programmers, while an additional USD 15-million agreement supports the expansion of Orange’s fiber optic network.
