Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
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.
India’s Vodafone Idea faces a $71 million tax penalty over alleged short payment of GST, which the company plans to challenge legally. The order comes amid ongoing financial stress, with analysts warning that a recent AGR moratorium alone may not resolve its liquidity issues.
TRAI’s November 2025 drive test in Baddi highlights significant disparities in voice and data performance across India’s major mobile operators. While Reliance Jio and Airtel lead in 5G and 4G data speeds, gaps remain in call quality, latency, and reliability, particularly for BSNL and Vodafone Idea, underscoring uneven network experience for users.
India’s NPCI International Payments Limited and Bahrain’s BENEFIT have linked UPI with Fawri+, enabling instant, secure cross-border remittances for millions, especially Bahrain’s Indian community. Simultaneously, NBBL launched forex services on Bharat Connect, expanding India’s retail digital finance ecosystem.
Reliance Intelligence and Google Cloud partner to expand AI accessibility in India, offering 18 months of free AI Pro access for Jio users and boosting local AI infrastructure through Google’s TPUs.
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.
Airtel has announced India’s first AI/ML-powered, cloud-based location service, in partnership with Swift Navigation. The Airtel-Skylark Precise Positioning Service promises centimetre-level accuracy to transform industries from transport and logistics to agriculture, with the first phase launching in the Delhi NCR region before expanding nationwide.
DE-CIX India has become the country’s first Internet Exchange to integrate Starlink’s LEO satellite internet. With speeds up to 220 Mbps and affordable pricing, the move enhances rural and remote connectivity while complementing terrestrial networks, marking a major step for Digital India’s inclusive future.
Egypt and India are exploring stronger ICT cooperation in offshoring, AI, and digital skills development. Ongoing projects under their MoU cover e-government, innovation, and cybersecurity, with both sides aiming to boost investment and expand bilateral ties in the technology sector.
Egypt and India are strengthening ICT cooperation across outsourcing, AI, and digital innovation. Both sides reviewed progress under a bilateral MoU and pledged to expand collaboration in digital skills and industry development. The partnership highlights Egypt’s growing role in outsourcing and India’s investment interest in the sector.