The Sri Lankan government is amending telecom laws to allow independent companies to build telecom towers, aiming to accelerate tower rollouts and support the digital economy’s expansion to $15 billion by 2030. The amendments are expected to be debated in parliament soon.
Zain Group’s Q1 2024 results show a 5% revenue increase to $1.5 billion, with an EBITDA of $480 million. Despite challenges in Sudan, strong performance in Iraq, Kuwait, KSA, and Jordan bolstered growth. The group remains focused on mitigating Sudan’s impact through various operational measures.
In 2023, Bangladesh’s internet subscriber count rose to 131 million, including 7 million new users, with 118.49 million on mobile and 12.88 million on broadband. The total mobile subscribers also increased to 190.81 million, driven by 10.61 million new users last year, according to BTRC data.
WideBot, an AI developer based in Cairo, has partnered with Libyan telecom Almadar Aljadid to introduce a multilingual AI chatbot, enhancing customer service. This strategic collaboration aims to improve customer interactions and support Almadar’s service expansion across Libya, demonstrating a significant advancement in the region’s telecom sector.
Turk Telekom has expanded its fiber network to 437,000 km, covering 32.2 million households in Turkey. As the leading provider, it has also linked 52% of its LTE 4G base stations with fiber. Committed to 5G readiness, it offers innovative solutions through a new partnership with Schneider Electric.
Ericsson has signed a memorandum of understanding with Jordanian telco Umniah to enhance 3G and 4G networks in Jordan. This partnership will see the deployment of Ericsson’s advanced radio system products and the utilization of additional spectrum to expand network capacity and coverage, improving mobile broadband services across major cities.
The SAMENA Telecommunications Council’s Leaders’ Summit 2024 is set to occur on May 13th at Atlantis – The Palm, focusing on “Integration, Intelligence & Sustainability in Infrastructure.” With global and regional partnerships, the summit will explore crucial ICT developments, including sustainable digital transformation and 5.5G technology advancements.
Togo has launched mobile number portability, allowing consumers to switch telecom operators without changing their phone numbers. Initiated by the Togolese Regulatory Authority for Electronic Communications and Posts, this move aims to enhance competition in the telecom sector, influenced by a study showing 95% consumer support for the initiative.
Robi Axiata, Bangladesh’s second-largest telecom operator, reported a 154% year-on-year profit increase in Q1 FY24, driven by revenue growth and reduced forex losses. The company’s focus on expanding its 4G network and digital services has significantly contributed to this growth, aligning with its strategic vision for digital transformation.
Zain Bahrain discloses Q1 2024 financials, revealing a 25.3% decline in net profit but a 7.4% revenue surge, driven by innovative data solutions. Despite challenges like start-up costs for its Fintech subsidiary, the telecom giant launches Bede, a Shariah-compliant Fintech Mobile App, and upgrades its 4G network for improved user experiences.
