Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Afghans celebrated in the streets after the Taliban restored internet and telecom services following a 48-hour blackout. The shutdown had halted businesses, banking, flights, and family communications, drawing UN concern. Women in particular saw it as a lifeline. Jubilant crowds welcomed the reconnection as hope briefly returned.
Telecom firms in Herat distribute 7,500 free SIM cards daily to Afghan returnees, ensuring immediate connectivity through biometric registration. The initiative supports communication needs and complements broader humanitarian efforts amid mass refugee returns from Iran.
Bitcoin and crypto offer Afghan women financial hope despite Taliban bans and harsh restrictions, with underground markets sustaining remittances and savings.
Afghan women use Bitcoin and crypto to bypass Taliban restrictions and gain financial freedom amid strict bans and limited education. The Digital Citizen Fund provides underground literacy programs, with crypto serving as a vital tool for survival and human rights advocacy.
The Afghanistan Telecom Regulatory Authority (ATRA) has launched telecommunications services for returnees at the Omari Camp in Torkham. Temporary four-month SIM cards with free internet and call minutes are being distributed. Returnees must register their SIM cards using electronic IDs within the specified time frame.
The Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (MoCIT) in Afghanistan has mandated that mobile phone importers secure licenses from the Afghanistan Telecom Regulatory Authority (ATRA). This new regulation aims to prevent the import of counterfeit phones and ensure proper registration of IMEI numbers to safeguard citizens’ devices and streamline procedures.
Afghanistan’s National Information and Statistics Authority is expanding e-Tazkira digital ID distribution centers to increase access. Over 15 million digital IDs have been issued, and mobile teams are also assisting in remote areas. The NSIA is also collaborating with UNFPA on an upcoming national population census for accurate data.
Telecommunication services have been extended to eight remote districts in southern Helmand province, following a report by Pajhwok Afghan News. The Ministry of Telecommunication and Information Technology is working to improve communication infrastructure, with plans for 70 new telecom sites and the expansion of 4G internet services in the coming year.
Roshan has upgraded its internet service in Balkh province from 3G to 4G, enhancing connectivity for local residents. The company plans to expand this upgrade across Afghanistan in the coming year, while users express the need for improved speeds and lower prices.
ATRA has initiated a $1.6 million project to construct 16 telecommunications centers in Faryab Province, Afghanistan. This initiative aims to improve communication services in 13 districts, addressing long-standing issues in remote areas. The project reflects the government’s commitment to enhancing infrastructure and connectivity, significantly benefiting local communities.