Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
The conclusion of WTDC-25 saw ITU member states adopt the Baku Action Plan, a 2026–2029 roadmap for inclusive global connectivity. Despite 6 billion people now online, the new Global Connectivity Report highlights deep regional and gender divides, ongoing affordability barriers, and rising environmental and digital-wellbeing concerns that continue to slow global progress.
A consortium of PCCW Global, Sparkle, Telecom Egypt, and ZOI has launched the AAE-2 subsea cable project, linking Asia, Africa, and Europe via advanced subsea and terrestrial routes. The system will deliver unprecedented capacity, resilience, and scalability to meet global digital transformation and cloud connectivity demands.
Iraq has signed two new submarine cable deals — one with Batelco by Beyon and another with UAE’s Breeze Investments — to land new systems at Al-Faw Peninsula. These projects, along with Ooredoo’s FIG cable, aim to transform Iraq into a strategic hub for regional and global data traffic.
stc Bahrain launches voya by stc, a travel app featuring lifetime eSIM connectivity for seamless global access, enhancing convenience, sustainability, and user experience.
A consortium of four subsea operators—ZOI, PCCW Global, Sparkle, and Telecom Egypt—launches AAE-2, a cutting-edge subsea cable system linking Asia, Africa, and Europe, promising enhanced connectivity, bandwidth, and digital growth across emerging markets.
Zain Omantel International ranks highest ASN in the Middle East and breaks into the global top 100 networks, reflecting unmatched interconnection and network reach. The milestone underscores ZOI’s role as a leading international connectivity gateway with extensive global infrastructure spanning 120+ cities.
ITU commemorates 160 years of global connectivity, highlighting achievements in satellite access, Internet standards, maritime communication, and the urgent need to close the digital gender gap.
Dialog Axiata has launched the India-Asia-Xpress (IAX) submarine cable system, enhancing Sri Lanka’s global connectivity. The project, part of a USD 100 million investment, connects Sri Lanka to India, Singapore, and beyond, supporting the growing demand for 5G, AI, and advanced data services with improved network reliability.
Dialog Axiata has launched the IAX (India Asia Xpress) submarine cable system, enhancing Sri Lanka’s international connectivity. The system, part of a US$100 million investment, connects key regions like India, Singapore, and Europe. It complements Dialog’s existing infrastructure, ensuring high-speed, reliable, and secure data transmission.
The global wireless industry achieved a historic milestone in 2024, reaching 2.25 billion 5G connections, with North America leading the way. 5G adoption continues to expand rapidly, with forecasts predicting 8.3 billion 5G connections by 2029. Meanwhile, IoT saw an exceptional surge, with 438 million new connections in 2024.