Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Pakistan’s telecom authority has decided not to proceed with a VPN ban, following legal advice from the Law Ministry. Despite efforts to regulate VPN use, the PTA withdrew the policy after determining it lacked legal grounds. VPN usage continues to grow in Pakistan as users seek to bypass government restrictions.
During the event, participants shared insights on diverse topics, ranging from network assessment techniques to emerging technologies and their impact…
Phishing and ransomware continue to be significant threats in the region, with 66 million phishing link clicks seen by Kaspersky…
stc Group signed over 75 strategic partnerships at LEAP 2025, showcasing its commitment to Saudi Arabia’s digital transformation. The event highlighted key initiatives like the launch of upsource by solutions and stc.AI, along with collaborations with AWS, Nokia, Huawei, Ericsson, and others to enhance cloud, AI, and 5G capabilities.
MedIQ, a Pakistan-based health tech startup, raised $6 million in Series A funding led by Rasmal Ventures and Joa Capital. The funds will support its expansion into Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the Gulf region, aiming to transform healthcare through digital solutions. MedIQ’s total funding now stands at $9.8 million.
Vodacom Group has partnered with AWS, Microsoft, and Skillsoft to launch a Digital Skills Hub, aiming to upskill 1 million young Africans by 2027. The hub will provide self-paced digital training to youth across eight countries, addressing Africa’s digital skills gap and preparing the next generation for the workforce.
Palo Alto Networks has outlined key cybersecurity trends for 2025, emphasizing the need for quantum-resistant encryption strategies to prepare for quantum computing threats. Predictions include AI-driven cybersecurity roles, stricter metrics for security performance, and a focus on sustainability in cybersecurity efforts, alongside a shift towards real-time compliance evidence.
The Omani Tender Board has signed six framework contracts with local companies to supply desktop computers, laptops, and tablets to government agencies. This initiative aims to improve procurement efficiency and support the growth of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Oman.
Pakistan has declared 2025 as the “Year of 5G” and unveiled plans to increase broadband speeds to 50-100 Mbps and expand Fibre-To-The-Site (FTTS) coverage to 60%. The government aims to enhance telecom infrastructure with a 5G spectrum auction in 2025 and a nationwide fiber network expansion.
The CST’s “GameMode” report for Q2 2024 reveals an 85% improvement in online gaming performance in Saudi Arabia, with STC named as the Platinum Game Operator. It highlights significant enhancements in download speeds and latency across major gaming platforms, underpinning efforts to boost competitiveness and transparency in the telecom sector.