Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Nepal Telecom has expanded 4G services to Machhapuchhre and Annapurna Base Camps, benefiting tourists and locals. Deurali has also been upgraded to 4G, marking the first time 4G is available at such high altitudes, enhancing connectivity in these popular trekking destinations.
In May 2024, Qatar topped the Speedtest Global Index for mobile internet speed, with a median download speed of 329.37 Mbps and an upload speed of 25.36 Mbps. It was followed by the UAE, Kuwait, Denmark, and Norway. Rankings require at least 300 unique user results per location.
Türkiye’s indigenous telecommunications satellite, Turksat 6A, will launch next month via a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Expanding coverage to India, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia, the satellite will increase Türkiye’s reach from 3.5 billion to over 5 billion people, covering more than 65% of the world’s population.
The UAE’s AI Office has partnered with Rittal FZE to boost AI initiatives, enhance learning, and strengthen digital infrastructure. This collaboration, formalized at the AI Retreat 2024, aims to develop future competencies, support green technologies, and position the UAE as a global hub for AI innovation.
A new app developed by Virginia Tech and Medina Tech Ltd. aims to help Bangladeshi farmers identify and manage crop pests. The Groundnut IPM app provides crucial pest management information, using AI for real-time detection and GPS for location-based recommendations. The app, available in Bengali, is free and will be piloted to 1,000 farmers.
Google expands its Gemini service to Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Turkey, supporting English and nine Indian languages. The Gemini chatbot is now available on any device with 6 GB RAM, enhancing communication and productivity for users in over 165 regions worldwide.
Bangladesh’s ‘Made in Bangladesh’ roadmap aims to boost IT device manufacturing and exports, potentially creating 100,000 jobs and earning $5 billion by 2025. The plan focuses on digital transformation, leveraging local production, and international branding, supported by government and industry collaboration.
Vodafone Qatar, in collaboration with Microsoft and Crayon, hosted workshops to introduce digital solutions like ‘Vodafone Calling’ and ‘Microsoft Copilot’. These solutions aim to enhance business communication, leverage AI, and ensure cyber security, supporting the digital transformation of large enterprises in line with Qatar National Vision 2030.
The AI Retreat 2024, organized by DCAI and the National Program for Artificial Intelligence, launched a joint business incubator programme by DFF and Meta. The initiative aims to leverage Meta’s “LLAMA 3” model to drive AI innovation across industries, supporting Dubai’s economic goals and fostering global AI collaboration.
The National Cybersecurity Authority (NCA) credits Saudi Arabia’s rise in cybersecurity rankings to initiatives like the Global Cybersecurity Forum and regional cooperation committees. Guided by Vision 2030 and Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s vision, the NCA emphasizes both security and growth, fostering international collaboration and robust domestic protection.