Arc Solutions, a joint venture launched by Du and Batelco, has signed an agreement with global telecoms operator BSO to interconnect network footprints in the Middle East and around the world.

For many years Oman’s mobile market was a duopoly between the incumbent telco Omantel and its challenger Ooredoo Oman.

stc Bahrain, owned by the Saudi Telecom Company, has announced an exclusive offer for fibre customers of internet service at up to six times faster.

Telecom Egypt has selected Juniper Networks to upgrade and deploy a network capacity expansion across its national infrastructure, serving a customer base of 9.8m for fixed-line services, 6.9m for broadband, and 7.3m for mobile.

Solar power is supporting the activities of a number of Orange subsidiaries in Africa and a Huawei data centre in Jordan.

Yet another passive infrastructure sale has been announced – this time in Oman.

The increased adoption of cloud services and Microsoft’s ecosystem is expected to create more than 15,800 jobs across the sultanate of Oman by 2024, says new research by market intelligence firm International Data Corporation (IDC).

Kuwait telecommunications company STC Kuwait has announced the commercial launch of its 5G Stand Alone (5G SA) services.

BT Group’s Egyptian unit has been granted a licence to provide connectivity services and information transfer to institutions and companies through its international networks.

Beecell, mobile value-added services and solutions provider specialising in mobile content and interactive services, announced the launch of digital services for the "Hekaya" program in Jordan.

Nokia has agreed a deal to supply 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) equipment to Ooredoo Kuwait for the operator’s customer premises.

Operator stc Bahrain has announced plans to launch what it calls a first-of-a-kind camouflaged small cell solution across Bahrain.

Etisalat’s du has partnered with Nokia to deploy a 5G network providing enhanced mobile broadband services and expanding 5G coverage and revenue opportunities.

Two technology companies, Group 42 (G42), based in Abu Dhabi, and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, based in Israel, have agreed to form a new joint venture (JV) that aims to commercialize artificial intelligence (AI) and big data technologies and solutions for multiple sectors.

State-owned operator Telecom Egypt and Sudatel Group, a leading telecommunications service provider in Sudan, have signed a cooperation agreement in the field of international connectivity.

Israeli operator Partner Communications decided not to accept any of the bids received from potential investors for a 20% stake in its fibre infrastructure unit.

Seamless viewing, gaming and download experiences for customers in Bahrain could receive a boost after a recent deal between Tata Communications, a digital ecosystem enabler, and Bahrain Internet Exchange (BIX), its exclusive cable landing partner in Bahrain.

Global payments company Mastercard and Saudi fintech business Geidea have announced a strategic partnership agreement to accept Mastercard payments for Tap on Phone solutions in Saudi Arabia. This is claimed to be the first such agreement to be signed in the Middle East and North Africa.

UAE-based operator du has selected Netcracker’s Digital BSS for its digital transformation program.

Saudi Arabia’s Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC) has issued what it calls its Three-year Outlook for Commercial and Innovative Use of the Spectrum in Saudi Arabia – and Wi-Fi supporters appear to be very happy with the contents.

Nokia and Mobily have completed a narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) network deployment in the L-800 band in Saudi Arabia.

Ooredoo Kuwait has tapped Infovista’s radio planning portfolio to upgrade over 2500 sites nationwide in a bid to accelerate its 5G network deployment.

Another 5G spectrum auction is on the way in Israel – and it could be held before the end of this year.

Tunisia has launched its first home-made satellite. Challenge ONE was launched on 22 March with the help of a Russian launching rocket from a base in Kazakhstan.

Algeria’s telecoms minister Brahim Boumzar has confirmed that the government’s current focus is on improving 4G services rather than introducing 5G.

UAE-based operator du has signed a four-year 5G expansion deal with Nokia.

LogRhythm has partnered with Mideast Communication Systems (MCS) to deliver next-generation security information and event management (NextGen SIEM) solutions to organisations across the Middle East and East Africa.

Oman has blocked the American audio app Clubhouse. The reason given was that it did not have the right permit.

Israel’s Bezeq has begun the commercial rollout of its fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) network.

Jordan’s Umniah has confirmed imminent plans to shutter its 2G network to allow further investment and more extensive upgrades to its 3G and 4G networks.

The theme of environmental responsibility has been making news in Middle East telecommunications in recent days.