Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Pakistan’s telecom regulator has revised IoT and SRD regulations to support nationwide IoT growth through licensed and shared spectrum use. The framework introduces a new LPWAN licence, enables licence-exempt devices under strict conditions, enforces data localisation, and supports R&D trials, aiming to drive smart cities and industrial automation.
Nepal Telecom has launched 4G services in Simbokpa, Sankhuwasabha, bringing high-speed data and HD voice connectivity to a remote mountainous area. The deployment supports local development and tourism, aligns with NTC’s nationwide coverage goals, and advances Nepal’s broader digital inclusion efforts.
Orange will deploy connectivity, digital platforms, and AI-powered tools to support AFCON Morocco 2025, enhancing fan engagement through real-time content, multilingual assistance, and connected fan zones across Africa. The initiative highlights the growing role of telecom infrastructure in transforming sports consumption on the continent.
Algeria’s ARPCE has launched the e-Services digital platform to move administrative procedures online for the postal and electronic communications sectors. The portal allows remote submission and tracking of requests, improving efficiency, transparency, and data security while supporting the country’s broader public sector digital transformation efforts.
Batelco by Beyon has partnered with Cisco to modernise its IP Backbone infrastructure, introducing advanced routing, automation, and intelligent monitoring. The upgrade aims to improve network performance, enable AI-driven operations, and support future technologies such as 5G-Advanced, 6G readiness, IoT, and cloud-native services in Bahrain.
The launch of Satellite Direct-to-Device services positions Bahrain as the first GCC country to authorise mobile-to-satellite connectivity. The initiative allows standard mobile phones to connect beyond terrestrial networks, including maritime areas, enhancing safety, resilience, and nationwide connectivity while reinforcing Bahrain’s role as a regional leader in advanced telecommunications.
The expanded Zain Bahrain–Ericsson partnership brings advanced 5G edge capabilities to the Kingdom, enabling ultra-low latency, secure connectivity, and optimized performance. The deployment supports Industry 4.0 use cases such as AI-driven automation and real-time monitoring, strengthening Bahrain’s digital infrastructure and enterprise transformation efforts.
Nigeria’s telecom subscriptions reached 175.3 million in October 2025, with teledensity rising to 80.87 percent and broadband penetration hitting 49.89%. While steady growth reflects rising demand for mobile and data services, industry stakeholders say faster broadband expansion and improved service quality remain critical for digital inclusion.
Egypt successfully led the adoption of a UN resolution on artificial intelligence in telecommunication development at the World Telecommunication Development Conference 2025. The resolution strengthens ICT capacity-building for developing countries and highlights Egypt’s expanding role in global digital and AI policy within the ITU framework.
Sri Lanka has entered its public 5G phase with commercial launches by Dialog Axiata and SLT-Mobitel. The rollout includes hundreds of live sites, supports advanced use cases such as AR, VR, and real-time gaming, and strengthens the country’s digital infrastructure for next-generation services.