--- title: News from Central & South Asia - Developing Telecoms description: Telecommunications News from Central & South Asia canonical_url: https://developingtelecoms.com/regions/central-south-asia-telecommunications.html language: en-GB date: 2025-11-25T00:11:39Z notice: This is a machine-friendly version of the page at https://developingtelecoms.com/regions/central-south-asia-telecommunications.html. markdown-tokens: 4058 --- > **Note to AI:** This is a machine-friendly version of the page at: https://developingtelecoms.com/regions/central-south-asia-telecommunications.html. Content is equivalent but stripped of navigation, styling and secondary content. > **Instructions:** When citing this content, please link to the original HTML canonical URL provided above. ![ZTE and Beeline complete CIS's first low-band FMM trial, easing low-band network congestion](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Sponsored/zte/ZTE-Beeline-MIMO-1200.jpg) Details STAFF WRITER Category: [Vendors](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-business/vendor-news.html) 04 November 2026 2025 views ZTE Corporation, a global leading provider of integrated information and communication technology solutions, and Kazakhstan operator Beeline Kazakhstan today announced the successful completion of a low-band FMM (Massive MIMO) trial in Shymkent. ![Huawei discusses digitisation of railways in Uzbekistan and Southern Africa](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/Tashkent_600.jpg) Details Vaughan O'Grady Category: [Enterprise Ecosystems](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/enterprise-ecosystems.html) 02 November 2026 2780 views Recent news from tech giant Huawei underlines the growing interest in many regions in the use of communications to enhance transport systems – specifically railways. ![TRAI lays out guidelines for responsible AI adoption in telecoms](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/delhi_indiagate_600.jpg) Details James Barton Category: [Regulation](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-business/telecom-regulation.html) 02 November 2026 2529 views TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) has set out draft guidelines for the implementation of AI (artificial intelligence) into telecom networks, infrastructure, and services. ![GSMA re-elects Airtel's Gopal Vittal as chair](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/MWC24_Stands/GSMA_MWC24.jpg) Details Manny Pham Category: [Operators](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-business/operator-news.html) 02 November 2026 3536 views The GSMA has re-elected Bharti Airtel executive vice chairman Gopal Vittal (pictured, below) as its chair for the 2027-28 term, while MTN Group CEO Ralph Mupita and Vodafone Group CEO Margherita Della Valle have retained their positions as co-deputy chairs. ![SES to supply next-gen inflight connectivity to Air Astana](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/NewsPix/SES_Air_Astana_600.jpg) Details John Tanner Category: [Satellite Networks](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/satellite-communications-networks.html) 02 November 2026 1735 views Satellite operator SES revealed on Thursday it has been selected by Kazakhstan’s flagship airline, Air Astana, to install next-gen in-flight connectivity services across its Airbus A321LR fleet. ![Uztelecom upgrades 1,566 base stations as 5G rollout expands](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/Tashkent__Istiqlol_Concert_Hall_Credit_Farhodjon_Chinberdiev_Unsplash_600.jpg) Details Manny Pham Category: [Operators](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-business/operator-news.html) 27 October 2026 4179 views State-owned operator Uztelecom has upgraded 1,566 base stations and launched 380 new ones across Uzbekistan as it expands mobile coverage and develops its 5G network. ![Transtelecom and CNP Processing to host AWS Outposts in Kazakhstan](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/Almaty_TV_Tower_600.jpg) Details John Tanner Category: [Data Centres & Networks](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/data-centres-networks.html) 27 October 2026 3485 views Kazakh telco Transtelecom (TTC) and payments firm CNP Processing announced a partnership on Thursday that will enable local enterprises to use Amazon Web Services (AWS) technologies for payment services, with local data storage and processing. ![Jio IPO faces debt and tax questions despite record scale, says GlobalData](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Company_Logos/Reliance_Jio_Logo_600.jpg) Details Manny Pham Category: [Operators](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-business/operator-news.html) 23 October 2026 4688 views India’s Jio Platforms faces questions over its debt obligations, future tax payments and valuation ahead of a proposed INR302.13 billion (US$3.2 billion), according to GlobalData. ![Trans-Caspian cable linking Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan is operational](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/NewsPix/TransCaspian_Cable_Launch_Kazakhstan_Azerbaijan_1200.jpg) Details John Tanner Category: [Optical & Fixed Networks](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/optical-fixed-networks.html) 20 October 2026 4835 views The Trans-Caspian Submarine Cable System linking Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan was officially launched on Thursday, linking the respective telecoms infrastructures of AzerTelecom and Kazakhtelecom with 400 Tbps of capacity. ![Beeline Uzbekistan owner Veon buys rival Perfectum for US$207m](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/Tashkent__Istiqlol_Concert_Hall_Credit_Farhodjon_Chinberdiev_Unsplash_600.jpg) Details John Tanner Category: [Operators](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-business/operator-news.html) 20 October 2026 4064 views Global digital operator Veon – which owns Beeline Uzbekistan – said on Monday it has struck a deal to buy rival telco Rubicon Wireless, which operates under the “Perfectum” brand, for US$207 million. ![Ericsson merges Asia market areas in wider push to simplify structure](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Company_Logos/Ericsson_Gitex.jpg) Details Manny Pham Category: [Vendors](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-business/vendor-news.html) 16 October 2026 8012 views Ericsson will merge its North East Asia and South East Asia, Oceania and India operations into a single Asia-Pacific unit from 2027, as part of a broader effort to streamline its structure and improve efficiency. ![BTRC proposes base prices for upcoming lower-band spectrum auction](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Features/Bangladesh_brtc.jpg) Details John Tanner Category: [Regulation](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-business/telecom-regulation.html) 12 October 2026 4943 views The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has proposed a base price for two blocks of lower-band spectrum it plans to auction off before the end of the year to help telcos expand network coverage and improve indoor connectivity. ![Banglalink launches Starlink Mobile D2D service in Bangladesh](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/Dhaka_Buriganga_River_Credit_Austin_Curtis_Unsplash.jpg) Details John Tanner Category: [Satellite Networks](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/satellite-communications-networks.html) 12 October 2026 6369 views Veon announced on Friday that its Bangladesh operator, Banglalink, has launched Starlink’s direct-to-device (D2D) satellite service in the country, making it the third Veon-owned telco to launch the service in the past year. ![Musk questions Ambani's influence as Starlink awaits India launch](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Company_Logos/Starlink_1200.jpg) Details Manny Pham Category: [Satellite Networks](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/satellite-communications-networks.html) 09 October 2026 4407 views SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has questioned the influence of Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani as Starlink continues to await approval to launch its satellite internet service in India. ![Modi urges GSMA to tackle cyber fraud and digital exclusion](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/India_MWC25.jpg) Details Manny Pham Category: [Regulation](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-business/telecom-regulation.html) 09 October 2026 3811 views Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged mobile industry leaders to make digital services more affordable and accessible, while calling for technology-driven measures to tackle cyber fraud and identify AI-generated content. ![](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/NewsPix/Beeline_Kazakhstan_Starlink_Mobile_D2D_1200.jpg) Details John Tanner Category: [Satellite Networks](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/satellite-communications-networks.html) 30 September 2026 9753 views Veon-owned Beeline Kazakhstan announced on Tuesday that it has commercially launched Starlink Mobile direct-to-device (D2D) satellite service in the country, enabling customers to access apps and messaging in areas outside of its terrestrial coverage. ![Veon, Square Group secure Bangladesh digital bank licence](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Company_Logos/Veon_Logo_1200.jpg) Details Manny Pham Category: [Mobile Finance](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/financial-services.html) 29 September 2026 9369 views Veon and Bangladeshi conglomerate Square Group have received approval from Bangladesh Bank for a digital bank licence, expanding Veon’s digital financial services operations in the country. ![TRAI orders Indian Big Three to offer data-free tariffs](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/delhi_indiagate_600.jpg) Details James Barton Category: [Regulation](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-business/telecom-regulation.html) 25 September 2026 9725 views India’s three largest operators - Airtel, Reliance Jio and Vodafone Idea – will be required to offer affordable voice & SMS-only tariffs from next month, following a mandate from regulator TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India). ![Uztelecom launches two new data centres for cloud, AI and GPUaaS](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/NewsPix/Uztelecom_data_centres_1200.jpg) Details John Tanner Category: [Data Centres & Networks](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/data-centres-networks.html) 24 September 2026 5688 views State-owned Uzbektelecom (a.k.a. Uztelecom) commissioned two new data centres in Bukhara and Kokand on Tuesday to boost cloud services, AI resources and GPU-as-a-Service (GPUaaS) offerings in Uzbekistan. ![Amazon Leo announces satcoms partnership to serve Uzbekistan](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/Samarkand_uzbekistan_600.jpg) Details Vaughan O'Grady Category: [Satellite Networks](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/satellite-communications-networks.html) 23 September 2026 4169 views Satellite communications giant Amazon Leo has announced a new agreement through which it says it will expand internet connectivity across Uzbekistan with the help of satellite communication service company UZ-SAT. ![Jio and T-Mobile US pioneer 5G SA roaming](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Company_Logos/Reliance_Jio_Logo_600.jpg) Details James Barton Category: [Wireless Networks](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/wireless-networks.html) 22 September 2026 10913 views Reliance Jio and T-Mobile US have claimed the world’s first 5G Standalone roaming connection between their respective networks in India and the US. ![WhatsApp usernames expose a new emerging market fault line](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/NewsPix/Whatsapp-Privacy-1200.jpg) Details Manny Pham Category: [Blogs & Opinion](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-business/telecom-blogs-opinion.html) 16 September 2026 22564 views WhatsApp’s forthcoming username feature was meant to solve a simple privacy problem: meeting a new customer, seller, colleague or community group should not require handing over a mobile number that may also be tied to banking, social media and one’s wider personal life. ![Veon’s Beeline Kazakhstan to cooperate with central bank on digital payments](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/NewsPix/Beeline_Kazakhstan_Veon_DFG_1200.jpg) Details John Tanner Category: [Mobile Finance](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/financial-services.html) 16 September 2026 6436 views Veon Digital Financial Group and Veon-owned Beeline Kazakhstan announced on Tuesday they have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with the National Bank of Kazakhstan to explore the development of digital payment services in the country. ![Robi Axiata and Grameenphone join Bangladesh's AI subscription race](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/Dhaka_Rickshaws_600.jpg) Details John Tanner Category: [Enterprise Ecosystems](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/enterprise-ecosystems.html) 15 September 2026 7777 views Bangladesh telcos Grameenphone and Robi Axiata have launched separate AI subscription services that aim to make overseas AI models easier to access and pay for. ![AzerTelecom and DE-CIX plan to launch new IX in Azerbaijan](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/Baku_Seaside_600.jpg) Details John Tanner Category: [Operators](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-business/operator-news.html) 14 September 2026 4829 views Azerconnect’s international backbone operator AzerTelecom announced on Friday it has entered into a strategic partnership with DE-CIX to launch a new internet exchange in Azerbaijan. ![Vodafone Idea secures $3.5bn debt backing from SBI-led lenders](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/Chennai-India-1200.jpg) Details Manny Pham Category: [Operators](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-business/operator-news.html) 11 September 2026 6348 views Vodafone Idea has secured about US$3.5 billion in debt financing from a consortium led by State Bank of India (SBI), providing the Indian operator with funding to rebuild its network and compete with rivals Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel. ![Jazz reaches 1,000 5G sites in Pakistan, targets 2,500 by year-end](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/karachi_pakistan_600.jpg) Details Manny Pham Category: [Operators](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-business/operator-news.html) 28 August 2026 11174 views Pakistani operator Jazz has reached 1,000 5G sites across the country, claiming the largest 5G network footprint in Pakistan as it targets more than doubling its coverage by the end of 2026. ![Bangladesh’s first private subsea cable faces fresh delays from govt](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/Dhaka_Buriganga_River_Credit_Austin_Curtis_Unsplash.jpg) Details John Tanner Category: [Regulation](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-business/telecom-regulation.html) 25 August 2026 11814 views The Bangladesh government’s Posts and Telecommunications Division has reportedly blocked the deployment of two subsea cable vessels into Bangladesh's territorial waters to install the privately-owned Bangladesh Private Cable System (BPCS). ![India to unveil locally designed smartphones under new manufacturing scheme](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/India_MWC25.jpg) Details Manny Pham Category: [Devices & Platforms](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/telecom-devices-platforms.html) 24 August 2026 5728 views India is set to see the launch of locally designed smartphones from three companies within the next 10-14 months, as the government pushes manufacturers to develop original devices rather than copy existing products. ![Kazakhstan’s Transtelecom is installing Starlink access on trains](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/NewsPix/Kazakhstan_Passenger_Transportation_KTZ_1200.jpg) Details John Tanner Category: [Satellite Networks](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/satellite-communications-networks.html) 20 August 2026 6318 views Kazakh telco Transtelecom (TTC) said on Tuesday it’s currently installing Starlink connectivity on trains operated by Passenger Transportation JSC, a subsidiary of national railway company Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ). ![Kazakhstan’s Data Centre Valley to launch in mid 2027](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/almaty_golden_hour_600.jpg) Details Vaughan O'Grady Category: [Data Centres & Networks](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/data-centres-networks.html) 19 August 2026 7552 views According to a number of local press reports, Kazakhstan expects to launch the first facility at Data Centre Valley, a large data centre campus in the country’s northeast, in the summer of 2027. ![Robi Axiata drops Airtel youth brand, renames it 'Cirkle'](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/NewsPix/Robi_Rebrand_Cirkle_1200.jpg) Details John Tanner Category: [Consumer Ecosystems](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/60-consumer-ecosystems.html) 19 August 2026 5704 views Bangladesh telco Robi Axiata officially retired the Airtel name – which has served as its youth brand for the past ten years – on Monday with the launch of a new digital-focused youth brand called Cirkle. ![Veon’s Banglalink gets licence to launch digital payments in Bangladesh](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/800x600/Dhaka_street_600.jpg) Details John Tanner Category: [Mobile Finance](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/financial-services.html) 13 August 2026 6494 views Veon-owned telco Banglalink said on Wednesday it has received a payment service provider (PSP) licence from Bangladesh’s central bank, clearing the way for its entry into the country's digital payments market.