Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Kuwait has introduced a new mobile number portability framework allowing users to switch operators while keeping their numbers. The regulation promotes competition, strengthens consumer rights, and modernizes telecom operations under CITRA oversight.
Pakistan’s telecom regulator has warned users to ensure SIM cards are registered in their own names, stressing accountability for misuse. The advisory follows extortion-related complaints in Karachi and aims to strengthen telecom security and regulatory compliance.
Bahrain has approved Satellite Direct-to-Device services, becoming the first GCC country to allow smartphones to connect directly to LEO satellites. The move aims to eliminate coverage gaps across land and sea, strengthen digital resilience, and reinforce Bahrain’s position as a regional connectivity leader.
India’s Vodafone Idea faces a $71 million tax penalty over alleged short payment of GST, which the company plans to challenge legally. The order comes amid ongoing financial stress, with analysts warning that a recent AGR moratorium alone may not resolve its liquidity issues.
Kuwait has introduced a new mobile number portability framework allowing users to switch operators within 12 hours while retaining their numbers. The rules aim to strengthen competition, protect consumer rights, and modernize telecom regulation.
Bangladesh will reduce the maximum number of SIM cards per person from 10 to five starting January 2026, aiming to curb mobile-related crimes and tighten regulatory control ahead of elections. Excess SIMs will be deactivated, though IoT SIMs will follow a separate process. The move has sparked mixed reactions among users and operators.
Bangladesh’s telecom regulator has delayed the launch of the National Equipment Identity Register to January 1, 2026, extending deadlines for handset registration and giving traders more time to comply. The system aims to block illegal mobile phones, with final implementation linked to pending tax decisions by the revenue authority.
Electronic fraud has emerged as a growing concern in Oman’s digital ecosystem, prompting the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority to organize a public dialogue on December 14 under its “Constructive Dialogue” series. The session will focus on identifying common scam techniques, understanding how networks facilitate fraud, and assessing public awareness. By bringing stakeholders together, the TRA aims to strengthen consumer protection frameworks, enhance cybersecurity awareness, and improve overall trust in telecom services.
The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Oman has taken legal action against companies selling unlicensed telecom devices used for unauthorized network setups, citing risks to consumer protection, data security, and service quality. Alongside this enforcement, the TRA will host a public engagement session on December 14 under its “Constructive Dialogue” initiative to address the growing challenge of electronic fraud, explore scam patterns, and develop stronger consumer protection measures through collaborative discussion.
Ncell CEO Michael Foley has called on the Nepal government to provide clear policy direction for the launch of 5G, citing uncertainty around spectrum, taxation, investment, and licensing as major barriers. He warned that outdated telecom laws and ambiguity over Ncell’s ownership status after 2029 are discouraging long-term investment. While 5G is seen as vital for Nepal’s digital future, Foley said government facilitation is essential to make nationwide deployment commercially viable.