--- title: Middle East & North Africa News - Developing Telecoms description: Telecommunications News from the Middle East & North Africa canonical_url: https://developingtelecoms.com/regions/middle-east-north-africa-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/middle-east-north-africa-telecommunications.html. markdown-tokens: 4127 --- > **Note to AI:** This is a machine-friendly version of the page at: https://developingtelecoms.com/regions/middle-east-north-africa-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. ![Arabsat and Es’hailSat agree to cooperate on joint satellite initiatives](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/saudi_arabia_madinah_600.jpg) Details John Tanner Category: [Satellite Networks](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/satellite-communications-networks.html) 30 October 2026 1991 views Saudi Arabia-based satellite operator Arabsat and satellite services and solutions provider Qatar Satellite Company (a.k.a. Es’hailSat) signed a strategic partnership agreement on Wednesday to expand joint initiatives in broadcasting and satellite communications. ![Abu Dhabi’s G42 brings AI expertise to the UAE and Greece](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/NewsPix/G42%20Emarat%20MoU%2027.10.26.jpg) Details Vaughan O'Grady Category: [Enterprise Ecosystems](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/enterprise-ecosystems.html) 27 October 2026 4920 views The Abu Dhabi-based global technology group G42 has announced the signing of memorandums of understanding (MoUs) both at home and abroad taking its AI expertise to both the UAE and Greece. ![ST Engineering iDirect partners Omani satcoms company MBSat](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/oman_mutrah_600.png) Details Vaughan O'Grady Category: [Satellite Networks](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/satellite-communications-networks.html) 26 October 2026 3324 views Satellite communications technology company ST Engineering iDirect has announced a strategic partnership with Oman’s MBSat, to provide the ground system technology foundation for MBSat’s next-generation satellite gateway and network operations across Oman and the wider Middle East region. ![SoleCrypt plans AI campus for Tunisia](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/tunis_600.jpg) Details Vaughan O'Grady Category: [Data Centres & Networks](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/data-centres-networks.html) 22 October 2026 2201 views SoleCrypt, a provider of sustainable digital infrastructure, has announced plans for the SoleCrypt AI Campus in Bizerte, Tunisia, a 40 MW campus, beginning with a 7 MW first phase designed around the Nvidia HGX Rubin NVL8 platform. ![DE-CIX boosts boosts gateway offering](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/sofia_aerial_600.jpg) Details Vaughan O'Grady Category: [Data Centres & Networks](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/data-centres-networks.html) 22 October 2026 4311 views Internet exchange (IX) operator DE-CIX says it has completed a resilient three-route gateway connecting the Middle East and Southeast Europe with Central Europe. ![](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Company_Logos/zain-logo-600.png) Details Vaughan O'Grady Category: [Operators](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-business/operator-news.html) 22 October 2026 5674 views Communications company Ooredoo and telecommunications operator Zain Group have announced the first closing of their regional tower transaction, bringing together the initial tower portfolios within a regional tower platform jointly owned by Ooredoo Group and Zain Group, each holding a 50% stake. ![What the Middle East’s leadership in U6GHz development means for operators globally](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Sponsored/Huawei/U6GHz_updated_1200x900.jpg) Details Staff Writer Category: [Regulation](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-business/telecom-regulation.html) 22 October 2026 8531 views UAE regulator TDRA is helping the region to take the lead on upper 6GHz (U6GHz) development through regulatory frameworks. In November 2024, TDRA updated the UAE’s National Frequency Plan, emphasising the key role that U6GHz can play in International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT). ![Turkcell tests ISAC tech that lets 6G networks track human movement](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/NewsPix/Turkcell_Tiami_6G_ISAC_test_600.jpg) Details John Tanner Category: [Wireless Networks](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/wireless-networks.html) 22 October 2026 2618 views Turkcell revealed on Wednesday it has successfully field-tested integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) technology – a feature planned for 6G networks that enables mobile networks to detect and track human movement and density in coverage areas. ![Oman and Iraq announce ground station developments](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/oman_muscat_harbour_600.jpg) Details Vaughan O'Grady Category: [Satellite Networks](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/satellite-communications-networks.html) 20 October 2026 2901 views Continuing efforts by countries across the Middle East to develop domestic space ecosystems encompassing satellite infrastructure have been underlined by recent announcements from Oman and Iraq relating to ground stations. ![Asiacell partners with Samsung to boost device availability in Iraq](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/NewsPix/Asiacell_Samsung_Levant_Iraq_1200.jpg) Details John Tanner Category: [Devices & Platforms](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/telecom-devices-platforms.html) 20 October 2026 2360 views Iraqi telco Asiacell says it has signed a strategic partnership agreement with Samsung Electronics Levant to provide consumers and businesses with broader access to Samsung devices, services and technology solutions. ![Arqiva signs managed service satcoms deal with Kuwait’s Gulfsat](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/Kuwait_city_skyline_600.jpg) Details Vaughan O'Grady Category: [Satellite Networks](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/satellite-communications-networks.html) 19 October 2026 2770 views Global media services provider Arqiva has announced what it calls a landmark agreement with Gulfsat, a leading Kuwaiti communications company and regional satellite operator. ![Ooredoo Qatar announces 5G+ first](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Company_Logos/ooredoo-logo-170128.png) Details Vaughan O'Grady Category: [Operators](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-business/operator-news.html) 15 October 2026 4798 views Operator Ooredoo Qatar has announced the launch of Qatar’s first 5G+ mobile network, building on the capabilities of 5G standalone, the network Ooredoo Qatar was the first to deploy. ![](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/NewsPix/Network%20Int%20Bank%20NXT%2014.10.26.jpg) Details Vaughan O'Grady Category: [Service Management](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/oss-service-management.html) 14 October 2026 3882 views Egypt's Bank NXT has announced the extension of its collaboration with Network International, a leading fintech company in the Middle East and Africa, to accelerate the digitisation of its payment services and further modernise its payments infrastructure. ![Bahrain Bank partners with TerraPay to enhance payment services](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/bahrain_600.jpg) Details Vaughan O'Grady Category: [Service Management](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/oss-service-management.html) 13 October 2026 3492 views The National Bank of Bahrain (NBB), a leading bank in Bahrain, has entered into a strategic partnership with TerraPay, a global digital money movement company, to expand its international payout capabilities and enhance cross-border payment experiences for its customers. ![FiveNines joins Nexus project to build AI data centre in Morocco](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/NewsPix/FiveNines_Nexus_DC_Morocco_1200.jpg) Details John Tanner Category: [Data Centres & Networks](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/data-centres-networks.html) 13 October 2026 4246 views International data centre infrastructure firm FiveNines Group says that it is partnering with AI infrastructure specialist Nexus Core Systems to oversee development of a planned 20MW AI data centre in Morocco. ![Colt to expand network across Africa, Asia, Middle East and North America](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/istanbul_harbour_600.jpg) Details John Tanner Category: [Optical & Fixed Networks](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/optical-fixed-networks.html) 13 October 2026 6587 views Colt Technology Services announced on Monday it is investing to expand its global network across Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Europe to support the next generation of AI-driven growth. ![OFN and iQ to create terrestrial fibre link across Iraq for FIG cable](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/Baghdad_600.jpg) Details John Tanner Category: [Optical & Fixed Networks](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/optical-fixed-networks.html) 08 October 2026 4901 views Ooredoo Group’s international connectivity arm OFN said on Wednesday it has signed an agreement with Iraqi fibre infrastructure provider iQ Networks to create a terrestrial corridor across Iraq linking OFN’s Fibre In Gulf (FIG) subsea cable to Turkey and Europe. ![](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Company_Logos/Etisalat_600.jpg) Details Vaughan O'Grady Category: [Service Management](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/oss-service-management.html) 07 October 2026 10041 views It seems that e&, the brand introduced by the UAE operator with some fanfare in 2022, is no more. e& is reverting to the etisalat name. This was confirmed in an Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) filing this week. ![Vertiv and Cybastion collaborate on digital infrastructure in NW Africa](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/NewsPix/Vertiv_Cybastion_NWAfrica_1200.jpg) Details John Tanner Category: [Data Centres & Networks](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/data-centres-networks.html) 06 October 2026 5498 views Vertiv announced on Monday it has signed an MoU with US-based Cybastion to establish a framework to collaborate on digital infrastructure projects in Northwest Africa. ![Orange Tunisie teams with Focus to boost sovereign cloud adoption](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/NewsPix/Orange_Tunisie_Focus_Cloud_600.jpg) Details John Tanner Category: [Cloud & Virtualisation](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/telecom-cloud-virtualization.html) 06 October 2026 4296 views Orange Tunisie announced on Monday it has signed a strategic partnership deal with digital services firm Focus Tunisie to accelerate corporate access to sovereign cloud and infrastructure solutions. ![Medusa cable to extend its reach to Jordan via NaiTel's Coral Bridge](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/Jordan_Aqaba_Aerial_600x450.jpg) Details John Tanner Category: [Optical & Fixed Networks](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/optical-fixed-networks.html) 05 October 2026 3788 views The Medusa Submarine Cable System will extend its reach to Jordan via an agreement with NaiTel, the telecom arm of Jordanian carrier-neutral data centre Aqaba Digital Hub (ADH), to integrate its Coral Bridge cable with Medusa. ![Nokia improves network performance and efficiency for Zain KSA across Saudi Arabia](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/saudi_arabia_madinah_600.jpg) Details James Barton Category: [Enterprise Ecosystems](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/enterprise-ecosystems.html) 29 September 2026 6595 views Zain KSA has launched Nokia’s Deepfield Cloud Intelligence across its network, covering more than 100 cities in Saudi Arabia. ![Orange Money to use AI to combat financial crimes in Jordan](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/Amman_Jordan_600.jpg) Details Vaughan O'Grady Category: [Service Management](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/oss-service-management.html) 28 September 2026 10290 views Orange Money, the e-wallet owned by Orange Jordan, has signed a strategic partnership agreement with ADSTRA, a Jordanian technology company that specialises in developing artificial intelligence solutions for combating financial crimes. ![](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Company_Logos/djezzy_newlogo_600.png) Details Vaughan O'Grady Category: [Mobile Finance](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/financial-services.html) 28 September 2026 3493 views Algeria’s Monetary and Banking Council said last week that it had decided to authorise Djezzy Payment Services, a subsidiary of operator Djezzy, which had an estimated 18.1 million subscribers at the end of June 2026, to become a Payment Service Provider (PSP). ![Arabsat signs deal with China’s CGWIC to build ARABSAT-50 satellite](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/NewsPix/Arabsat_50_China_Great_Wall_1200.jpg) Details John Tanner Category: [Satellite Networks](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/satellite-communications-networks.html) 25 September 2026 5053 views Saudi Arabia-based satellite operator Arabsat announced on Thursday it has signed an agreement with China Great Wall Industry Corporation (CGWIC) to manufacture a new satellite, ARABSAT-50. ![](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Company_Logos/Intel_600.jpg) Details Vaughan O'Grady Category: [Data Centres & Networks](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/data-centres-networks.html) 22 September 2026 5288 views Submer, a full-stack AI and HPC infrastructure provider, and technology company Intel have announced a collaboration covering artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure, high-performance computing (HPC) and next-generation data centre solutions across the Middle East, Africa and Turkey. ![Du and Nokia deploy six-carrier aggregation tech on 5G-A network](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/dubai_coast_600.jpg) Details John Tanner Category: [Wireless Networks](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/wireless-networks.html) 21 September 2026 5502 views UAE-based telco du said on Friday it has teamed with Nokia to deploy six-carrier aggregation across FDD and TDD spectrum on its commercial standalone 5G-Advanced network, which it’s claiming as a world-first. ![Vodafone Egypt upgrades Ericsson RANs with AI chips](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/CairoUniv600.jpg) Details John Tanner Category: [Wireless Networks](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/wireless-networks.html) 21 September 2026 5210 views Ericsson announced on Thursday that Vodafone Egypt has commercially deployed its AI-powered RAN Processor 6672 that will enable the telco to run AI directly at Ericsson radio sites rather than at a central AI location. ![AWS’s war-damaged data centres in Bahrain and UAE still offline](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/bahrain_600.jpg) Details John Tanner Category: [Data Centres & Networks](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/data-centres-networks.html) 17 September 2026 14778 views Amazon Web Services (AWS) revealed that it’s been unable to restore access to its data centres in Bahrain and one of its three data centres in the UAE after they were damaged by Iranian drone strikes earlier this year. ![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 21606 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. ![Digital Realty forms JV with Rönesans to build data centres in Turkey](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/Istanbul_Hagia_Sophia_600.jpg) Details John Tanner Category: [Data Centres & Networks](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/data-centres-networks.html) 15 September 2026 6474 views Digital Realty announced on Monday it has formed a strategic joint venture with Turkish investment company Rönesans Infrastructure to develop and operate next-generation data centres across Turkey. ![Thunes expands cross-border payouts to six Middle East markets](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/Yemen_Old_Town_Aden.jpg) Details John Tanner Category: [Mobile Finance](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/financial-services.html) 15 September 2026 5453 views Singapore-based global payment platform Thunes announced on Monday that it’s expanding its cross-border payments network across the Middle East in six new markets: Bahrain, Lebanon, Oman, South Yemen, Syria and the UAE. ![](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/Dubai_600.jpg) Details Vaughan O'Grady Category: [Satellite Networks](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/satellite-communications-networks.html) 14 September 2026 4929 views Space42, the UAE-based AI-powered SpaceTech company, and satcoms giant Viasat have signed a binding agreement to co-found Equatys, creating the first shared space and ground infrastructure platform for global direct-to-device and advanced MSS connectivity.