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SAMENA Daily - Industry News Briefing

Industry News Briefing
July 15, 2026

Featured Member News

stc Group reinforces its global presence as Founding and Elite Partner of the Esports World Cup 2026 in Paris

The partnership further cements stc's position as one of the world's leading brands in the global gaming industry, as it continues to build a distinguished presence at this international event to empower the esports sector in Saudi Arabia and beyond...

Algeria accelerates IPv6 adoption to future-proof national digital infrastructure

Algeria is accelerating the adoption of Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) as part of its national digital transformation strategy, aiming to modernize internet infrastructure, support the rapid growth of connected devices and strengthen the country's long-term digital resilience...

Member News

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Zain GROW program opens meaningful career pathways for graduates with disabilities

Zain Group celebrated the graduation of a new cohort of GROW, its training program dedicated to fresh graduates with disabilities, in a step that reflects the company’s firm commitment to building a more inclusive and...

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Nokia defines the next era of radio with the industry’s first AI-native RAN platform

Nokia has announced the industry’s first commercial AI-RAN platform, marking one of the most significant shifts in radio network architecture in decades...

Recent Developments

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MENA countries deciding on change of use for the 6 GHz band

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Opensignal joins the SAMENA Telecommunications Council to advance real-world network experience measurement across SA-ME-NA markets

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SAMENA Council’s CEO Bocar BA Calls for “Trusted Interdependence That Strengthens Sovereignty” at WSIS 2026 in Geneva, Switzerland

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The R&A partners with Cisco to deliver critical networking infrastructure to major championships and new global headquarters

Policy and Regulation

•	Saudi Arabia showcases its journey in AI ecosystem Saudi Arabia showcased its journey in building a comprehensive national AI ecosystem that combines responsible governance with deployment of AI applications across multiple sectors...

•	Oman’s TRA launches Turs platform to strengthen national cybersecurity and combat digital threats Oman’s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has launched the Turs (Shield) platform, a national cybersecurity system designed to strengthen the country’s digital resilience by enabling faster detection,...

Middle East

•	T964 selects Schneider Electric to power Iraq’s first Tier III data centre Iraqi data centre operator T964 has partnered with Schneider Electric to deliver the critical power and cooling infrastructure for Iraq's first Tier III-certified data centre, strengthening the country's digital...

•	Total CX and Bahrain Kuwait Insurance partner to enhance customer experience through digital transformation Customer experience technology provider Total CX has signed a strategic partnership with Bahrain Kuwait Insurance (BKI) to modernize customer engagement and accelerate digital customer experience transformation, supporting...

South Asia

•	Pakistan’s mobile banking users surge 44% to 137 million as digital payments gain momentum Pakistan's mobile banking ecosystem recorded significant growth over the past year, with the number of mobile banking app users rising by more than 40% to 137 million, as the government accelerates its transition toward...

•	Bangladesh rules out Teletalk sale, prioritizes network modernization and PayPal launch Bangladesh’s government has ruled out the privatization of state-owned mobile operator Teletalk, reaffirming plans to modernize its network while advancing efforts to introduce PayPal and strengthen the...

Global Telecom Update

•	Trinidad and Tobago signs MoUs to develop AI-ready data centres Trinidad and Tobago says it has signed MoUs with US companies Ernst & Young and Hummingbird AI Holdings to develop AI-ready data centres and infrastructure in the country with at least 450MW of load capacity...

•	DE-CIX and South Front Networks partner to reduce ISP latency in Upper Midwest South Front Networks’ customers can benefit from turnkey low-cost transport, protected routes, and no additional cross-connect costs to access the leading data center and carrier neutral IX operator in North America...

•	Airtel Africa to connect 5,000 schools to free Internet by 2027 Airtel Africa’s CEO, Sunil Taldar, has announced the telco’s commitment to connecting 5,000 schools across its operating countries in Africa to the Internet by 2027 through its philanthropic arm, Airtel Africa...

Middle East

North Africa

•	Algeria accelerates IPv6 adoption to future-proof national digital infrastructure Algeria is accelerating the adoption of Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) as part of its national digital transformation strategy, aiming to modernize internet infrastructure, support the rapid growth of connected devices...

3G, 4G, 5G/5G-A, Cloud, AI, Energy

•	BSNL orders 26,238 new 4G Sites from TCS, ITI This order comes as over 7,100 new 4G sites were awarded to BSNL under the 4G saturation program. ITI got the orders here because of the reservation quota of 20%...

•	Comba to launch upgraded private 5G and FRMCS radio units for mission-critical networks Comba Telecom has unveiled upgraded radio units for private 5G networks and the Future Railway Mobile Communication System (FRMCS), strengthening its portfolio of mission-critical wireless infrastructure designed to support...

•	SK Telecom to run South Korean AI-RAN pilot SK Telecom (SKT) has been tapped to lead a government-backed AI-RAN pilot aimed at testing out the technology for physical AI...

Satellite & Hybrid Networks

•	OPT-NC and Lynk complete satellite mobile connectivity test in New Caledonia New Caledonian operator OPT-NC has successfully completed its first satellite mobile connectivity test in New Caledonia in partnership with satcoms company Lynk Global...

•	Harbor Link expands underground fiber network into CoreSite DC2 data center Harbor Link Holdings (Harbor Link), a developer of 100% underground, high-capacity fiber infrastructure networks across the Mid-Atlantic region, announced the expansion of its network into CoreSite’s DC2 data center in...

Content & Immersive Technologies

•	Netflix tests return of free trials in select markets Netflix is testing the return of free subscription trials for the first time in six years, marking a strategic shift in its customer acquisition approach as the company seeks new avenues for subscriber growth...

•	Disney mulls making some Disney+ content free Disney is exploring making some Disney+ content available free of charge as it looks to compete more directly with YouTube and other free ad-supported streaming platforms...

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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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