The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has received proposals from international consultants for the 5G spectrum auction, expected to conclude by March 2025. However, concerns about the timing and infrastructure readiness for 5G persist among industry leaders, as Pakistan faces challenges like digital load-shedding and underutilized 4G services.
Huawei has launched AI initiatives to support Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, focusing on digital transformation and economic diversification. At the Huawei Cloud Summit in Riyadh, the company highlighted its advanced AI technologies and noted a tenfold increase in public cloud revenue in Saudi Arabia in 2023.
Zain KSA and Huawei have introduced advanced FWA² solutions under Saudi Vision 2030, enhancing connectivity for home, business, and underserved users. These solutions offer high-speed, reliable internet with innovations like FWA Pro, FWA Lite, and FWA Business, supporting digital transformation and bridging connectivity gaps across Saudi Arabia and the Gulf region.
ONIC, a digital telco brand launched a year ago, has quickly transformed Pakistan’s telecom industry with its digital-first approach. The brand’s rapid growth in subscribers highlights its strong market appeal and innovative strategy, setting new standards and prompting competitors to follow suit in the traditionally conventional telco market.
Morocco’s telecommunications sector saw significant growth in the first half of 2024, with the subscriber base reaching 59.8 million, driven by a 5% increase in mobile users. Internet subscriptions also grew by 6.9%, surpassing 39.1 million, reflecting the country’s digital transformation and resulting in a mobile penetration rate of 152.1%.
Jazz, Pakistan’s leading digital operator, and the Special Technology Zones Authority (STZA) held a session to explore a long-term partnership focused on advancing Pakistan’s digital transformation. Both organizations expressed a commitment to fostering innovation and enhancing the country’s technology ecosystem, aiming to position Pakistan as a leader in the global digital arena.
stc Bahrain has launched the “Scan & Go SIM,” the nation’s first self-activation service utilizing AI facial recognition. This innovative SIM allows customers to activate it instantly via the My stc BH app, offering a seamless, on-the-go experience without visiting a branch. The service is available with flexible prepaid and postpaid plans.
Oman has launched a new Social Protection Fund (SPF) e-portal to enhance electronic governance. Employers can now verify expatriate worker data, update wages, and manage employee information efficiently. This initiative aligns with Oman’s digital transformation strategy, aiming to streamline operations and ensure accurate data management across government and private sectors.
Wasoko and MaxAB, two of Africa’s top B2B e-commerce companies, have completed the continent’s largest tech merger, forming a pan-African digital retail platform. The merger combines their expertise across multiple countries, creating a multi-vertical ecosystem serving Africa’s $600 billion informal retail sector, with extensive offerings in e-commerce, fintech, and AI-driven services.
Kuwait’s CITRA is preparing for the rollout of the 5G Advanced network by introducing new frequencies and phasing out 3G services by June 2025. The upgrade will enhance digital services, support modern applications like IoT and AI, and expand mobile network capacity, positioning Kuwait as a leader in advanced technology adoption.
