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SAMENA Daily - Industry News Briefing

Industry News Briefing
May 18, 2026

Featured Member News

Kenya launches AI for Disability Project with Huawei and local partners to advance inclusive digital transformation

The initiative marks a significant milestone in advancing inclusive digital transformation by leveraging Artificial Intelligence to empower persons with disabilities across Kenya and the wider African region...

Global regulators chart course for resilient and inclusive digital future

ITU’s Global Symposium for Regulators 2026 outlines guidelines for a fast-changing digital world...

Member News

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stc Group launches “pulse by solutions” to strengthen its integrated digital ecosystem

stc Group announced the official launch of the “pulse by solutions” brand identity as a strategic step to further integrate its digital ecosystem across the Middle East and Africa...

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Nokia joins founding partners of new Nordic Compass alliance

Several leading Nordic companies, foundations and organisations announce the establishment of Nordic Compass, a new pan-Nordic industry alliance...

Recent Developments

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Qatar Media Corporation selects Eutelsat to launch QBC Business Channel in 4K at MENA’s leading 7/8° West video neighbourhood

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stc Group wins CST Awards for best user experience

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stc Bahrain partners with MENA Industrial Bank to support its operations in Bahrain

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Zain Group Q1’2026 revenue up 6% to USD 1.86 billion; Net profit soars 51% to USD 260 million, a 15-year high

Policy and Regulation

•	Digital resilience starts with radio-frequency spectrum The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) provides the international framework for the allocation and coordination of radio-frequency spectrum and satellite orbits...

•	Saudi Arabia promote “Digital Lifelines” with global achievements and pioneering readiness on World Telecommunication and Information Society Day Saudi Arabia joins the international community in celebrating World Telecommunication and Information Society Day 2026, highlighting the remarkable achievements of its ICT sector...

•	Global regulators chart course for resilient and inclusive digital future ITU’s Global Symposium for Regulators 2026 outlines guidelines for a fast-changing digital world...

South Asia

•	Bangla Phone gets govt nod for NTTN licence The government has approved a Nationwide Telecommunication Transmission Network (NTTN) licence for Bangla Phone, marking the first major telecom infrastructure licence approval since the formation of the new government...

•	Nepal Telecom reports NPR 6.27 billion profit in nine months amid expanding digital demand The state-backed operator also recorded strong revenue performance during the reporting period as mobile data usage, broadband adoption, and digital service consumption continued to rise across the country...

3G, 4G and 5G Networks

•	Vodafone Idea gets US$500 million boost for 4G and 5G push Vodafone Idea announced that promoter Aditya Birla Group will invest US$500 million as the telecom operator accelerates efforts to reduce debt, expand network infrastructure, and compete more effectively against rivals...

•	EDOTCO Malaysia expands rural connectivity with new 4G/5G deployment approach Designed to address geographical challenges that limit mobile coverage in East Malaysia, the solution demonstrates how connectivity can be extended to remote areas previously considered difficult to reach...

Content & Immersive Technologies

•	Joyn Switzerland deploys Zattoo Ingest for live TV processing Joyn Switzerland, part of ProSiebenSat.1, has become the first customer to deploy Zattoo Ingest in full production, processing the live signal of 75 linear TV channels...

•	Singapore's HTX, Adobe team up to verify authenticity of digital content Singapore’s Home Team Science and Technology Agency (HTX) is working with Adobe to test tools that can verify whether digital images and documents have been altered, as deepfakes and synthetic media become harder for...

Global Telecom Update

•	NextDC expands overseas with AI data centre in Kuala Lumpur Australian data centre operator NextDC has launched its first overseas data centre – KL1 in Kuala Lumpur – to support the rapid growth of AI, cloud computing and digital services across Southeast Asia...

•	Infoblox, GoDaddy collaborate on DNS-based standards for AI agent identity and trust Both efforts are complementary and are being developed in community standards bodies with the explicit goal of enabling independent implementations and avoiding single- or concentrated-vendor control...

•	Telenor partners with Verdane to build a global IoT leader Telenor has entered into an agreement with Verdane to establish a joint ownership structure over Telenor Connexion...

Middle East

•	Oman strengthens digital resilience through expanded 5G emergency preparedness initiatives Oman is accelerating efforts to strengthen national digital resilience through expanded 5G-enabled emergency preparedness and crisis response capabilities, reflecting the growing strategic role of advanced telecommunications...

•	eSIM Go secures funding round led by TNS Global to support geographical expansion and MVNO leadership eSIM Go announced it has secured strategic investment led by TNS Global, a leading Eurasian digital infrastructure and wholesale telecommunications provider. Since launching in 2020, eSIM Go has matured organically to become...

•	Transguard, The Digital School and Centre of Excellence for Applied Research and Training announce MoU The collaboration will be supported by continuous feedback and coordination across all three entities to ensure training remains responsive to workforce requirements...

•	Ooredoo Kuwait announces healthcare initiative with well-known hospital Telecommunications and technology provider Ooredoo Kuwait has announced a strategic partnership with Hadi clinic, an acute care and general medical and surgical hospital...

•	Zain KSA secures Tier 2 Managed Security Operations Center license to expand cybersecurity capabilities Zain KSA has obtained a Tier 2 Managed Security Operations Center (MSOC) license, strengthening the Saudi telecom operator’s position within the Kingdom’s rapidly expanding cybersecurity and managed digital...

North Africa

•	Algeria targets nationwide fiber optic coverage by early 2027 Algeria is aiming to achieve full nationwide fiber optic coverage by early 2027 as the country accelerates efforts to modernize digital infrastructure and expand high-speed connectivity across urban and rural regions...

Satellite & Internet

•	Space technology firms accelerate satellite internet expansion Competition in the satellite internet industry have intensified as major aerospace and telecommunications companies expand efforts to deliver high-speed connectivity to underserved regions worldwide...

•	NEC delivers 2,250 km submarine cable to boost Pacific digital connectivity NEC has completed construction of the East Micronesia Cable System (EMCS), a submarine cable connecting three Pacific island nations...

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Disclaimer: Information contained herein has been obtained from sources, which we deem reliable. SAMENA Telecommunications Council is not liable for any misinformed decisions that the reader may reach by being solely reliant on information contained herein. Expert advice should be sought.

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