Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
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.
Ooredoo has secured Kuwait’s first Fibre in the Gulf (FIG) submarine cable landing, enhancing regional and global connectivity. With a capacity of up to 480 Tbps, the cable will support cloud services, AI, and digital transformation. This project strengthens Kuwait’s position as a key data transit hub.
A cut in the PEACE submarine cable in the Red Sea has disrupted internet connectivity between Asia, East Africa, and Europe. The incident, which occurred on March 4, 2025, is expected to cause significant delays in repairs, impacting business and communications for months. The cause of the damage is still unknown.
PTCL has successfully connected Pakistan to the Africa-1 submarine cable, marking a significant step in improving the country’s digital infrastructure. This high-capacity system will provide faster and more reliable internet services, aligning with Pakistan’s Digital Vision 2030. The cable system is expected to become operational by early 2026.
Airtel has landed the SEA-ME-WE 6 submarine cable in Chennai, further strengthening its global network. This addition, alongside the previously landed cable in Mumbai, enhances Airtel’s capacity and connectivity, benefiting businesses in India. The cable will provide 220 TBPs of global capacity, aiding Digital India’s growing demand for data.
e& Carrier & Wholesale is expanding globally with new strategic hubs in Miami and Johannesburg, while enhancing its presence in London and Singapore. This expansion strengthens its role in providing advanced connectivity services, including AI-driven solutions, to telecom operators, enterprises, and digital-first businesses in emerging markets.
Nokia and Ooredoo Oman are collaborating to deploy a high-capacity DWDM wholesale network that will enhance connectivity in Oman. Powered by Nokia’s 1830 Photonic Service Switch, the network aims to meet the needs of hyperscalers, AI applications, and cloud platforms, positioning Oman as a key connectivity hub.
Mobily signed several MoUs at Connected World KSA, enhancing global connectivity and digital infrastructure. Partnerships with IQNET, China Telecom, and Supercell Iraq aim to strengthen regional telecom solutions. Mobily’s investments in submarine cables, data centers, and local networks support Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, driving digital transformation across the region.
Telecom Egypt and Alcatel Submarine Networks have successfully landed the Africa-1 subsea cable at Ras Ghareb, Egypt, boosting connectivity across Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. This 10,000-kilometer, high-capacity system aims to enhance global data capacity and resilience for bandwidth-intensive needs.