Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Pakistan’s telecom regulator has warned multiple broadband providers, including PTCL and Net Cloud Telecom, after a Q4 2025 survey revealed widespread issues with latency, jitter, and network reliability. While minimum speeds are met, weak routing, core failures, and peak-hour congestion continue to disrupt video calls, gaming, and international access.
Orange Jordan has expanded its fibre broadband network to Tafila and new areas in Aqaba, extending coverage to more than 1.1 million homes nationwide. The move supports growing demand for high-speed internet and follows a major core network upgrade, strengthening access to digital services across Jordan.
BTCL has upgraded all broadband packages with up to five times higher speeds at unchanged prices, responding to market pressure after Starlink’s entry. The move aligns public-sector services with private ISPs, improves affordability, and expands access to high-speed internet for households, students, and institutions nationwide.
Pakistan’s telecom sector crossed 200 million subscribers in FY2024–25, with revenues exceeding Rs1 trillion and broadband penetration surpassing 60%. Investment growth, expanded 4G coverage, rising data consumption, and increased local device manufacturing reinforced the sector’s role in Pakistan’s digital economy.
PTA has started issuing district-level class licences for internet services to boost broadband access and local entrepreneurship. The 10-year licences come with defined fees and align with wider government efforts to strengthen digital infrastructure and advance Pakistan’s digital transformation agenda.
India crossed one billion broadband subscribers in November 2025, driven by a decade of rapid digital expansion, strong telecom policy, and nationwide infrastructure rollout. TRAI data shows broadband users increased more than sixfold, supported by 5G deployment, rising data usage, and initiatives like National Broadband Mission 2.0.
Nepal Telecom has grown its GSM, mobile broadband, and FTTH user base, serving over 15.8 million customers nationwide. Strong 4G adoption, expanding fiber coverage across all districts, and plans for 5G rollout are reinforcing NTC’s leadership in Nepal’s telecom market.
Nigeria’s telecom subscriptions reached 175.3 million in October 2025, with teledensity rising to 80.87 percent and broadband penetration hitting 49.89%. While steady growth reflects rising demand for mobile and data services, industry stakeholders say faster broadband expansion and improved service quality remain critical for digital inclusion.
Batelco by Beyon has unveiled Ultra Home, a unified lineup of Mobile and Fiber Broadband plans offering high-speed connectivity across multiple tiers, including unlimited data options and extended coverage devices. Customers subscribing or upgrading via the Batelco App receive three months free. The launch reinforces Batelco’s focus on simplified, customer-centric digital experiences.
Pakistan is preparing its first National Fiberization Policy to deliver minimum 100 Mbps fixed broadband nationwide. Backed by the World Bank, the plan includes 8–10 million new fiber house passes and 80% tower fiberization. A consulting firm will map gaps, guide PPP investments, recommend regulatory reforms, and strengthen resilience for Pakistan’s digital future.