Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Honor’s new Bangladesh factory signals a strategic shift toward local smartphone manufacturing, aiming to boost device availability and digital adoption. Built with Smart Technologies, the facility integrates AI-driven production systems and supports national goals to increase smartphone penetration and strengthen the country’s technology manufacturing base.
Bangladesh’s digital transformation must now move beyond access to competitiveness. Digital Bangladesh 2.0 focuses on human capital, intelligent governance, advanced fintech, and trusted digital systems to shift the country from technology use to technology production, positioning it as a competitive player in the global digital economy.
Bangladesh’s telecom regulator has delayed the launch of the National Equipment Identity Register to January 1, 2026, extending deadlines for handset registration and giving traders more time to comply. The system aims to block illegal mobile phones, with final implementation linked to pending tax decisions by the revenue authority.
Nokia will provide SLTE technology for the Bangladesh Private Cable System, a new subsea link connecting Bangladesh to Singapore. The project will add significant bandwidth and redundancy, reduce operational costs, and strengthen Bangladesh’s international connectivity following past disruptions to existing submarine cable routes.
Bangladesh has taken a major step toward its first private submarine cable network after the BPCS Consortium signed an SLTE supply agreement with Nokia. The project aims to boost international bandwidth capacity, reduce reliance on terrestrial links via India, enhance cybersecurity, and support long-term internet affordability and digital growth.
Banglalink has secured approval from Bangladesh Bank to launch digital payment services, allowing it to offer transfers, remittances, bill payments, and merchant transactions. The move targets financial inclusion in Bangladesh, where most of the population remains unbanked, and leverages Veon’s regional digital finance expertise to support the country’s digital economy.
Telenor Asia’s latest study shows that 96 percent of Bangladeshi internet users now regularly use artificial intelligence, reflecting rapid digital adoption across daily life and work. AI is increasingly used for learning, remote work, financial management, content creation, and personalized advice. The report highlights the growing responsibility of telecom operators to ensure secure, trusted digital infrastructure.
PulseTech has raised $3 million in pre-Series A funding to expand its Medbox platform and roll out One Pharmacy, a franchise network aimed at digitizing and regulating small pharmacies across Bangladesh. The startup focuses on authentic medicine sourcing, traceability, and operational efficiency. Backed by investors from Vietnam and Singapore, PulseTech has shown rapid revenue growth and now serves over 12,000 pharmacies nationwide.
Telenor Asia’s 2025 report shows that AI adoption in Bangladesh has surged, with 96 percent of internet users now using AI regularly. Daily AI usage is widespread in content creation, education, and personal assistance, while workplace adoption has jumped to 62 percent. However, gaps remain in formal AI strategies, automation use, and digital inclusion, especially as younger users voice privacy and job security concerns.
Banglalink has launched a new brand identity to reflect its transformation into a modern, customer-centric digital operator aligned with VEON’s global digital ambition. The refresh introduces a vibrant visual system, warmer tone of voice, and stronger focus on intuitive digital experiences. The company is also investing in network modernization and digital ecosystems to support Bangladesh’s growing digital economy.