Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Gulf Bridge International (GBI) has partnered with Nokia to deploy a next-generation optical network across the Middle East, using a new terrestrial route through Iraq to link Europe, Asia, and the Gulf. The system will deliver 50Tbps capacity with 100G–400G services, improving regional resilience and supporting the region’s growing cloud and digital economy.
By 2030, 82% of MEA connections will rely on 4G and 5G networks, with the GCC leading at 91% 5G adoption. Nokia’s report highlights FWA growth, rising IoT applications, and 5G’s role in powering digital transformation.
Nokia and du’s successful trial of the WaveSuite AI assistant marks a major step toward AI-driven optical network management in the UAE. The GPT-powered automation tool improved planning efficiency by 50% and network design by 30%, paving the way for faster, more reliable connectivity services.
Iraq’s Ministry of Communications has partnered with Nokia to build two government-owned data centers in Baghdad, ensuring data security under Iraqi management. The facilities will serve both public and private sectors, underpin digital transformation, and support e-government services with modern global technologies.
Nokia will modernize INX-ZA’s Internet Exchange Points in Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban, introducing 400GE and expanded 100GE services. The upgrade expands JINX to ten data centers, improves scalability, reduces latency, and enhances South Africa’s digital infrastructure, enabling ISPs, enterprises, and cloud providers to meet rising demand.
Nokia is supplying technology for the 8,700 km Medusa submarine cable connecting Europe and North Africa with 480 Tbps capacity. The project will boost regional broadband, reduce costs, and enable 5G and AI growth, with service expected by 2026.
Nokia will supply cutting-edge tech for the Medusa submarine cable, a €342 million project connecting Europe and North Africa with 480 Tbps capacity. The cable will improve regional connectivity and support advanced digital services like 5G and AI.
Nokia, CST, ACES NH, Mobily, and Zain Saudi completed the first pilot of 5G Standalone indoor coverage using sharable 4.0–4.1 GHz spectrum and active sharing, cutting costs by 60% and enabling all operators to deliver gigabit-class 5G inside buildings efficiently.
Nokia and Saudi partners have successfully piloted a spectrum-sharing 5G Standalone indoor network using the 4.0–4.1 GHz band, enabling all operators to provide high-speed 5G coverage inside buildings through a single system. This innovation dramatically lowers costs, reduces carbon emissions, and accelerates 5G deployment across Saudi Arabia’s business and public venues.
e& UAE, Nokia, and MediaTek demonstrated the Middle East’s first six-component carrier aggregation in 5G SA, delivering 5.8 Gbps speeds by combining 400 MHz of mid-band spectrum. The breakthrough boosts 5G network performance and supports the UAE’s leadership in next-generation connectivity.