Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
GSMA Foundry and Khalifa University have partnered to advance telecom-specific AI through new assets such as TelecomGPT and an Open Telco Knowledge Graph. The collaboration addresses gaps in general LLM performance on telecom tasks and leverages the university’s 6G research capabilities to build accurate, efficient, domain-trained AI models for operators.
MWC25 Doha marks the Middle East’s first Mobile World Congress, strengthening Qatar’s position as a regional digital hub. Backed by GSMA and Qatar’s ICT ministry, the event aims to drive investment, policy dialogue and innovation across 5G, AI and mobile broadband. With rising regional momentum, it will help shape MENA’s future digital economy.
GSMA urges Bangladesh to revise draft licensing rules that could restrict foreign participation, enforce asset divestment, and blur spectrum usage boundaries, saying they may undermine TNLP 2025 goals and mobile sector investment.
India’s National Communications Academy has partnered with GSMA to strengthen telecom innovation and digital governance. The collaboration will drive joint research, training, and policy development in areas like AI, 5G, and quantum communication, positioning India to lead in global telecom innovation and digital transformation.
GSMA has signed an MoU with Ooredoo, confirming the operator as Strategic Operator Partner for MWC25 Doha. The event, set for 25–26 November, will bring together leaders from 60+ countries to explore AI, digital infrastructure, and frontier technologies, with Ooredoo showcasing its 5G and innovation leadership.
Pakistan’s telecom operators and GSMA have urged the government to ease 5G spectrum auction terms, citing high spectrum costs and risks to investment. They demanded lower reserve prices, rupee-based fees, flexible payment terms, and duty-free imports, warning that delays could cost the economy up to $4.3 billion in five years.
Pakistan’s telecom industry and GSMA have urged the government to adopt an investment-friendly approach to the upcoming 5G auction. Proposals include lower spectrum prices, rupee-based payments, duty-free imports, and flexible terms to spur digital transformation, reduce network congestion, and expand inclusion across the country.
The GSMA’s Digital Nation Summit in Islamabad praised Pakistan’s progress but warned of a 52% mobile Internet usage gap, the largest in APAC. With reforms on spectrum, taxation, trust, and regulation, Pakistan could transform into a digital powerhouse, boosting economic growth, social inclusion, and regional leadership in innovation.
GSMA’s report urges Pakistan to reform spectrum policy, reduce mobile taxes, and boost digital trust to close its 52% mobile internet usage gap. Strategic reforms can unlock economic growth and regional digital leadership.
Syria has rejoined the GSMA after over ten years, enhancing regional telecom cooperation with Jordan. The move enables Syria to access global telecom resources and expertise as it modernizes its infrastructure and fosters startup support through a new national incubator alliance.