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SAMENA Daily - Industry News Briefing

Industry News Briefing
July 13, 2026

Featured Member News

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

The SAMENA Telecommunications Council, the South Asia–Middle East–North Africa (SA-ME-NA) region’s leading industry association of telecom operators, service providers, technology providers, and digital ecosystem players, has announced that Opensignal®, a global provider of independent insights into consumers’ connectivity experiences and choice of carrier, joined its members ecosystem earlier this year...

Member News

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AT&T and Ericsson demonstrate drone detection outside of AT&T stadium

AT&T and Ericsson demonstrated drone detection using advanced network sensing over a 5G network, showing how capabilities often associated with future 6G systems can begin coming to life today...

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stc pay partners with PIE to enable QR payments across Bahrain’s POS network

stc pay Bahrain, Bahrain's most innovative and accessible mobile wallet for digital financial transactions, has announced a strategic partnership with Payment International Enterprise (PIE), a Bahrain based fintech and...

Recent Developments

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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

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stc Group wins Sukuk & Bond Deal of the Year 2025 at Saudi Capital Market Awards

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Cisco outlines five essential strategies to close the AI trust gap and secure the agentic enterprise

Policy and Regulation

•	AI for Good and WSIS Forum 2026 close with global push for AI for everyone The AI for Good Global Summit and WSIS Forum 2026 today wrapped up a landmark Geneva Digital Week, having brought together over 12,000 participants from 177 countries to drive global efforts towards safe and...

•	CST issues the CX Index 2025 report This is part of CST’s ongoing efforts to promote transparency and foster competition among service providers, hence elevating user experience and improving telecom services quality in the Kingdom...

Middle East

•	Jordan climbs in 2026 ICT Development Index as digital transformation gains momentum Jordan has improved its position in the 2026 Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Development Index, reflecting continued progress in expanding digital infrastructure, connectivity and technology adoption as the...

•	e& announces US$5.95 billion sale of Vodafone investment Following a comprehensive strategic review of its international investment portfolio, Emirates Telecommunications Group Company PJSC ("e&") announced the termination of its Relationship Agreement with Vodafone Group PLC...

•	Schneider Electric to power Iraq’s first Tier III data center The project will establish Iraq’s first internationally recognized Tier III data center, delivering higher levels of reliability, redundancy and operational resilience for enterprise and government digital services...

South Asia

•	Pakistan’s fiber broadband subscriber base surpasses 900,000 as fixed connectivity accelerates Broader FTTH adoption would improve digital inclusion while enhancing national competitiveness in cloud services, AI and enterprise digital transformation...

•	Nepal Telecom expands mobile network coverage in Chitwan to improve digital connectivity Nepal Telecom has expanded its mobile network infrastructure in Chitwan District, strengthening voice and mobile broadband coverage as the state-owned operator continues to modernize its network and improve digital...

Content & Immersive Technologies

•	Netflix could be planning ‘always-on’ live TV channels As Netflix searches for new ways to keep viewers engaged amid signs of slowing engagement, the streaming giant appears to be exploring yet another avenue: always-on live TV channels...

•	MFE to launch unified European streaming platform from 2027 MFE-MediaForEurope will launch a single streaming platform across its European markets from January 2027, combining technology from its Italian and German businesses as it looks to strengthen its position against global...

Global Telecom Update

•	IBM, Red Hat launch Lightwell to secure AI-era open source software supply chains IBM and Red Hat announced the commercial launch of Lightwell, delivering automated vulnerability remediation at scale through two offerings: Lightwell Network and Lightwell Clearinghouse Premier...

•	Telecoms step up cybersecurity spending after breaches Major telecom companies — SK Telecom, KT and LG Uplus — are sharply increasing their cybersecurity investments and strengthening security governance following last year's high-profile breaches, positioning...

•	Google signs major Indonesian carbon removal credits deal Google has signed a deal with agroforestry carbon removal firm Thryve.Earth to purchase 260,000 tons of carbon removal credits from a reforestation project in Sulawesi, Indonesia...

North Africa

•	Egypt and TikTok explore stronger online child protection measures Strengthening child protection also supports broader objectives around digital inclusion by encouraging safer participation in online learning and digital services...

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

•	Vietnam accelerates 4G, 5G expansion following 2G retirement Vietnam will permanently shut down its nationwide 2G network on September 15, 2026, and auction the reclaimed 900 MHz spectrum to expand 4G and 5G coverage, with limited exceptions for remote island areas...

•	Telia Estonia eploys standalone 5G network for Muhu Regatta connectivity Telia Estonia has deployed a standalone (5G SA) network to support connectivity during the Muhu Regatta, demonstrating how next-generation mobile infrastructure can deliver enhanced performance, lower latency and greater...

•	Uzbekistan advances nearly 100 priority AI projects across strategic sectors Uzbekistan is advancing nearly 100 priority artificial intelligence (AI) projects across key sectors of the economy, underscoring the country's commitment to accelerating AI adoption as part of its broader digital...

Satellite & Hybrid Networks

•	SpaceX's Starlink will provide free satellite internet to families in Texas school district SpaceX's Starlink is partnering with a Texas school district to provide free high-speed satellite internet to rural families, helping bridge the digital divide ahead of its broader commercial rollout...

•	MTN Nigeria unveils bundled broadband, router plans to boost internet access MTN Nigeria has introduced bundled broadband solutions that combine data plans with compatible routers as part of efforts to expand broadband penetration and improve internet access for homes, small businesses and...

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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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