Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Nepal Telecom has launched a pilot online KYC update service for GSM prepaid customers, replacing paper forms with a QR-based digital process at its Sundhara office. The initiative supports faster service delivery and will expand to more locations after the test phase.
Ooredoo Kuwait positioned 2025 as a strategic shift from telecom provider to national digital transformation partner aligned with Kuwait Vision 2035. The company highlighted Platform 51 content partnerships, major public-private collaborations, 5G-Advanced and AI infrastructure initiatives, enterprise solutions, and multiple regional and global awards.
Israel has approved the rollout of 4G mobile services for Palestinian operators in the West Bank under a 2022 framework agreement with the Palestinian Authority. The move narrows the connectivity gap, though Gaza remains limited to 2G networks.
Govt warned against hasty 5G rollout
The Telecom Operators Association of Pakistan (TOA) has cautioned the government against moving too quickly on next-generation mobile networks without first addressing device affordability and demand-side constraints, warning that a premature 5G rollout could strain foreign exchange reserves and divert investment from improving basic connectivity.
In a letter to the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecom, TOA said Pakistan’s digital progress should not be judged by the speed of 5G deployment, but by whether citizens can afford compatible devices and derive everyday value from being connected. “Technology introduction by itself does not transform societies. Using that technology does,” the association said.
Written by TOA Chairman Amir Ibrahim, the letter noted that much of the public discussion around 5G focuses on global competitiveness and future readiness, while overlooking who would actually use 5G in Pakistan. Industry estimates cited by TOA suggest only around two per cent of mobile users currently own a 5G-enabled handset.
Entry-level 5G smartphones start at roughly Rs90,000, while premium devices such as high-end iPhones can cost up to Rs700,000. With most users on prepaid connections and average incomes remaining low, TOA said device costs alone exclude the majority of Pakistanis from meaningful 5G usage.
The association also highlighted that 5G capability increases handset manufacturing costs due to more advanced modems and radio components, making affordability even more challenging in a price-sensitive market. The lack of widespread handset financing options further limits adoption, prompting TOA to urge the government to support smartphone instalment schemes.
TOA warned that pushing ahead with 5G timelines and coverage obligations without addressing affordability risks creating underutilised networks. It pointed to the 4G experience, noting that more than a decade after the first auction, roughly one in four mobile customers still does not use mobile broadband.
According to the association, an unbalanced 5G strategy could widen the digital divide, benefiting a small urban segment while leaving most users behind. It called for a more measured approach, including reduced device taxation, financing models, and spectrum policies aligned with consumer realities.
Zong and NADRA have partnered to deploy multi-biometric and facial verification technologies to enable secure, inclusive SIM issuance, strengthen real-time subscriber verification, and accelerate Pakistan’s citizen-centric digital transformation agenda.
Oman’s telecom subscriptions surpassed 8 million in 2025, driven by strong mobile growth, a surge in IoT connections, and rapid fibre expansion, while legacy technologies such as ADSL and fixed 4G continued to decline.
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.
Tunisie Telecom held its first “TT Family Day,” bringing employees and their families together to strengthen well-being and internal cohesion. Through creative workshops, entertainment, and intergenerational activities, the initiative reinforced the link between family life and professional stability while promoting a positive and motivating workplace culture.
Global telecom operators are recording higher carbon emissions in Bangladesh than in developed markets, driven by fossil-fuel-based power grids and diesel backup systems. While Bangladesh delivers strong revenues for firms like Telenor and Robi Axiata, activists warn weak climate enforcement allows multinationals to shift emissions burdens to developing economies.
e& UAE has upgraded its EMIX IP transit platform to 400G using Cisco ASR9000 routers to handle traffic growth exceeding 20% annually. The upgrade boosts capacity, lowers latency, and introduces AI-driven automation, improving performance and reliability for wholesale and operator customers across the MENA region.