Oman’s postpaid mobile subscriptions rose by 9% in the first half of 2024, reaching 1.89 million, while prepaid subscriptions dropped by 4.5%. Fixed internet subscriptions grew by 6.5%, but fixed-line subscriptions declined by 21.7%. Muscat led in fixed analogue lines, despite a 71.1% drop in this category.
ATRA has initiated a $1.6 million project to construct 16 telecommunications centers in Faryab Province, Afghanistan. This initiative aims to improve communication services in 13 districts, addressing long-standing issues in remote areas. The project reflects the government’s commitment to enhancing infrastructure and connectivity, significantly benefiting local communities.
At the Digital Nation Summit in Islamabad, telecom leaders discussed the critical role of smartphones in bridging Pakistan’s digital divide. Jazz CEO Aamir Ibrahim emphasized the need for affordable smart devices and policy reforms. The summit also highlighted sustainability efforts and the telecom sector’s importance in driving economic growth and digital inclusion.
Maroc Telecom invested 3.2 billion dirhams in the first half of 2024, marking a 9.8% increase from the previous year. The investment fueled a 5.1% rise in subscribers to 78.4 million. Despite a slight dip in revenue and EBITDA, the group’s adjusted net income grew by 0.3% to 2.94 billion dirhams.
Bahrain’s telecommunications sector showed strong growth in Q1 2024, with a 13.8% increase in mobile subscribers and a 10.2% rise in data consumption. Mobile and broadband sectors thrived, while fixed telephony saw a slight decline. The steady progress in fibre broadband infrastructure indicates a promising future for the sector.
### AOI Localizes Cellular Tower Manufacturing in Egypt
The Arab Organization for Industrialization (AOI) has inaugurated the Cellular Tower Manufacturing Center at its Aircraft Factory, marking a significant step in localizing the manufacturing of cellular towers in Egypt. Mokhtar Abdel Latif, Chairperson of the AOI, led the inauguration, which was attended by Abdul Rahman Osman, General Manager of AOI; Tarek Hassan, Chairperson of the Aircraft Factory; and several industry leaders.
This initiative is part of AOI’s ongoing efforts to localize technology, increase the percentage of local manufacturing, and produce items under the “Made in Egypt” banner. Abdel Latif highlighted the focus on localizing mobile phone communication tower technology and upgrading production lines with the latest digital manufacturing machines. The center features some of the world’s most advanced production lines for angle forming and cutting, with engineers and technicians trained to the latest Fourth Industrial Revolution standards.
The Aircraft Factory of AOI has successfully achieved 100% local manufacturing of mobile phone communication towers. The factory has begun supplying towers to Etisalat&e, fulfilling the company’s increasing demands. By June 2024, 67 communication towers had been manufactured and supplied to Etisalat&e, with 70 more towers in production for delivery by the end of September 2024.
Abdel Latif noted ongoing coordination to sign memorandums of understanding with Telecom Egypt and other major telecom companies to expand mass production of communication towers. He emphasized AOI’s commitment to enhancing cooperation with all Egyptian telecom companies and developing integrated smart solutions in design, manufacturing, and assembly, driven by Egyptian creativity and national manufacturing capabilities. This initiative aims to meet local market needs and expand exports to African and Arab countries.
Zain Bahrain has partnered with the British Council to enhance employee skills through innovative assessment and training solutions. This collaboration aims to improve English proficiency and soft skills, aligning with Zain Bahrain’s commitment to continuous employee development. The initiative ensures impactful training, fostering a culture of learning within the organization.
Zeebu, a Web3 payments platform for telecom, partners with SilentSwap, a privacy-focused cross-chain aggregator, to enhance transaction privacy and security. This collaboration integrates SilentSwap’s technology into Zeebu’s blockchain solutions, setting new standards in telecom settlements and DeFi. The partnership aims to offer a secure, decentralized application for global transactions.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW), and GSMA held a workshop titled “Bridging the Mobile Gender Gap” to address the digital gender divide in Pakistan. The event focused on enhancing women’s access to mobile technology and digital services through inclusive policies and global expertise.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and APNIC held cybersecurity workshops in Lahore and Islamabad, focusing on “Incident Response and CERT.” Led by Adli Wahid from APNIC, the sessions included theoretical and practical training. The event concluded with a certificate ceremony, emphasizing the commitment to enhancing Pakistan’s cybersecurity capabilities.
