Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
A government white paper has revealed 15 years of corruption, regulatory failures, and policy bottlenecks in Bangladesh’s telecom sector. The report calls for institutional reform, tax restructuring, and regulatory modernization to improve service quality, investment, and digital inclusion.
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.
Bangladesh has approved its Telecom Networking Licence Policy 2025, aiming to streamline licensing, enhance competition, and improve nationwide service quality. While Grameenphone and Banglalink welcomed reforms, Robi Axiata voiced disappointment over unaddressed industry inputs. Analysts say the policy’s success hinges on clear implementation guidelines and meaningful stakeholder engagement.
A GSMA report urges MENA policymakers to implement urgent reforms to unlock mobile investment, which is projected to contribute over $200 billion to the region’s GDP by 2030. The report highlights challenges like restrictive licensing and high taxes, recommending five key reforms to drive mobile network growth and digital transformation.
Wispap has urged Pakistan’s telecom regulator to modernize the local loop licensing framework, advocating for a broadband-only licensing category and the adoption of technology-neutral approaches. The reforms are crucial for enhancing broadband expansion, fostering competition, and attracting investments, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
Qatar’s Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA) has opened public consultations on draft postal service licenses, inviting stakeholders to provide feedback. This initiative aims to enhance the postal sector, promote competition, and improve service quality. The consultations align with Qatar National Vision 2030 and will help CRA regulate the sector and protect consumer rights.