Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Vodafone Oman introduced Makani Internet for Business, a 5G-powered mobile internet service offering fast, flexible connectivity without fibre. Designed for enterprises, it supports operational resilience and productivity with plug-and-play setup and easy relocation.
Egypt’s mobile subscriptions approached 120 million in 2024, with a 10% increase in mobile internet use. The country began 5G deployment, issuing licenses to all operators and launching services like eSIM and Wi-Fi Calling to improve connectivity nationwide.
Pakistan has made significant strides in closing the mobile internet gender gap, surpassing India and Bangladesh in female internet usage. In 2024, 45% of Pakistani women used mobile internet, driven by efforts from telecom operators and regulators. While rural women lead the surge, challenges like affordability and social norms remain.
Recent data from Tunisia’s telecom regulator shows a shift towards data-driven services, with mobile internet usage and 4G adoption growing, while traditional voice services plateau. Mobile broadband is now the dominant access point, highlighting a digital transformation in the telecom sector that operators and regulators must support.
Teletalk Bangladesh Limited has announced a 10% price reduction on its data packages, effective from Eid-ul-Fitr. The reduction follows a price cut by Bangladesh Submarine Cable Company Limited. The move is aimed at providing affordable, high-speed mobile internet to customers across the country.
Iran is nearing the completion of its 5G internet development for mobile phones, with the transfer of a new 1500 MHz frequency broadband underway. This step paves the way for enhanced mobile internet speed and quality, with additional efforts to secure broader access through 700 and 800 MHz frequency bands.
Kazakhstan has surpassed Japan in mobile internet speed, ranking 57th globally in the Speedtest Global Index for December 2024. With a median download speed of 53.76 Mbps, Kazakhstan outpaced Japan’s 53.54 Mbps. The UAE, Qatar, and Kuwait ranked as the top countries for median download speed.
The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has lifted restrictions on mobile data packages, allowing operators to offer hourly data packs. The new directives also include limits on daily, 2-day, and 3-day packs. Mobile operators welcome the move, which is expected to foster innovation and improve customer service.
Pakistan has seen a 28% increase in mobile internet speed over the past year, with speeds rising from 15.65 Mbps to 20.02 Mbps. The PTA reports a 24.2% surge in mobile internet usage and highlights positive growth in broadband and telecom subscribers, despite challenges in global internet speed rankings.
Bangladesh ranks behind nine out of 12 lower-middle-income countries in smartphone ownership and mobile internet usage, according to the GSMA’s “The State of Mobile Internet Connectivity 2024” report. Challenges such as digital literacy, safety concerns, and affordability limit mobile internet access, despite growing awareness.