Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Ooredoo has been named the official telecommunications sponsor for the Qatar ExxonMobil Open 2025, held at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex in Doha. With a prize fund over $1 million and an exceptional lineup of players, the tournament showcases Ooredoo’s commitment to supporting sports and innovation in Qatar.
PTCL has successfully connected Pakistan to the Africa-1 submarine cable, marking a significant step in improving the country’s digital infrastructure. This high-capacity system will provide faster and more reliable internet services, aligning with Pakistan’s Digital Vision 2030. The cable system is expected to become operational by early 2026.
Dialog Axiata reported strong growth in FY 2024, with core revenue rising 10% YTD to Rs151.3 billion and EBITDA increasing by 8%. The company posted a net profit of Rs12.4 billion despite a 38% YTD drop, mainly due to prior forex gains. Investments in broadband and infrastructure reached Rs30.3 billion.
Airtel has landed the SEA-ME-WE 6 submarine cable in Chennai, further strengthening its global network. This addition, alongside the previously landed cable in Mumbai, enhances Airtel’s capacity and connectivity, benefiting businesses in India. The cable will provide 220 TBPs of global capacity, aiding Digital India’s growing demand for data.
Robi Axiata posted a record profit of Tk 7.03 billion in 2024, driven by operational efficiency and strategic investments, despite challenges such as internet blackouts and rising SIM taxes. Revenue growth was minimal, but the company declared a 15% cash dividend, marking its highest payout since 2020.
Pakistan’s seminar on 5G technology highlighted plans for 5G spectrum auctions in April-May, aiming to improve connectivity. Key speakers, including PTA Chairman Hafeez Ur Rehman and Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja, discussed how 5G deployment and enhanced submarine cable infrastructure will boost digital transformation and IT exports.
Etihad Salam Telecom and EdgeNext have partnered at LEAP 2025 to enhance telecommunications in Saudi Arabia. The collaboration includes co-locating servers, procuring high-speed internet services, and facilitating a peering connection with the Saudi Internet Exchange, aiming to improve content delivery and network efficiency in line with Saudi Vision 2030.
Eng. Ahmed Al-Anqari of Etihad Salam Telecom discussed innovations in telecommunications at LEAP 2025. He highlighted the company’s focus on supporting SMEs, promoting sustainability through eco-friendly solutions, and providing advanced technologies to drive digital transformation. Etihad Salam aims to contribute significantly to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.
Tawal has partnered with Saudi Entertainment Ventures (SEVEN) to develop neutral digital infrastructure across 21 entertainment destinations in Saudi Arabia. The infrastructure will enhance 4G, 5G, and IoT capabilities, providing seamless connectivity and improved digital experiences. This strategic collaboration supports SEVEN’s SAR 50 billion investment in entertainment development.
Zain Kuwait and Parallel Wireless have achieved a milestone in 5G with a successful standalone (SA) proof of concept, demonstrating download speeds over 1.3 Gbps and energy savings of 35%. The trial highlights open RAN’s potential, showcasing scalability, efficiency, and sustainability towards Zain’s net-zero goals by 2050.