Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Grameenphone has become the first operator in Bangladesh to acquire 700MHz spectrum, paying Tk2,370 crore for 10MHz. The low-band frequency will improve rural and indoor coverage, strengthen 4G and future 5G networks, and mark a major upgrade in nationwide mobile broadband capability.
Pakistan’s upcoming spectrum auction could release 600 MHz of new capacity, addressing structural limits that hinder internet quality. Jazz CEO Aamir Ibrahim calls it a once-in-a-decade opportunity to deliver faster, affordable connectivity, bridge the digital divide, and enable a digitally driven economy across education, healthcare, and enterprise.
The February spectrum auction will release 600 MHz of capacity, giving Pakistan a chance to fix chronic network constraints. Aamir Ibrahim says success depends on prioritizing affordable, reliable internet over 5G hype, strengthening 4G nationwide, enabling handset financing, and treating connectivity as national infrastructure powering education, health, and economic inclusion.
Qatar has opened a public consultation on revising spectrum fees, introducing new pricing for emerging services such as direct-to-device satellite connectivity and extending fee frameworks above 40 GHz. The move signals a shift toward benchmarking satellite pricing against mobile spectrum, positioning Qatar as a forward-looking regulator shaping future satellite and 6G markets.
Pakistan’s delayed telecom spectrum allocation could cost up to $4.3 billion in GDP losses by 2030, warns GSMA. The telecom body urges fair pricing in the 2025 auction to avoid hindering digital growth and 5G development, emphasizing the need for sustainable policies and infrastructure-focused approaches.