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SAMENA Daily - Industry News Briefing

Industry News Briefing
January 12, 2026

Featured Member News

Zain upgraded to top ‘A’ score in CDP Climate Change 2025, region’s only telecom operator at this leadership level

Zain Group, a leading provider of innovative ICT and digital lifestyle communications operating in eight markets across the Middle East and Africa, has achieved the top ‘A’ score in the recently published CDP Climate Change 2025 disclosure cycle, marking a significant milestone in the Group’s climate action journey...

Member News

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Omantel completes major network upgrade, unlocking 5G standalone capabilities

Omantel has successfully completed a major upgrade to its network, marking an important step in the company’s journey toward enabling full “5G Standalone (5G SA)” services...

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ZTE recognized on CDP Climate A list for third consecutive year, ranking among the global top 4%

ZTE secured a place on CDP Climate A list for the third consecutive year, making it the only company in mainland China to achieve this distinction three times in recent years...

Recent Developments

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stc Group powers Six Flags Qiddiya City as official speed partner

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AT&T’s daily data traffic tops one Exabyte

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Zain Kuwait’s ‘Women in Tech’ opens new pathways for women into digital roles

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Oman Broadband continues to achieve tangible milestones in supporting digital economy

Policy and Regulation

•	Ofcom maps out split-priority approach for upper 6 GHz band Under the proposal, the lower 160 MHz of the band (6425–6585 MHz) would be designated as “Wi-Fi-priority”, while the upper 540 MHz (6585–7125 MHz) would be reserved for “mobile-priority”...

•	NCC boss assures Nigerians of more sustainable telecommunications market in 2026 The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida, has assured Nigerians of clearer services, stronger consumer protection, and a more sustainable telecommunications market as the...

South Asia

•	Pakistan ranks among region’s most affordable mobile data markets Pakistan is among the region’s most affordable mobile data markets, with prices starting at just US$0.12 per gigabyte and a 2GB mobile broadband basket priced at US$1.02, according to an official document cited by...

•	Sri Lanka’s Dialog Axiata announces deal with UPI Sri Lankan operator Dialog Axiata has announced what it calls a landmark strategic partnership with UnionPay International (UPI), a China-headquartered company described as one of the world’s largest and...

Content & Immersive Technologies

•	Disney+ plans vertical video feed for US rollout in 2026 Disney is bringing a short-form, vertical video feed to Disney+, as the streamer looks to make the service a more frequent “daily destination” on mobile...

•	TikTok set to play central role in coverage of 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup TikTok will play a major role in coverage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup under a first-of-its-kind partnership that makes the social video app a preferred platform for the tournament...

Global Telecom Update

•	CES 2026 showcases rising prominence of open-source AI development The 2026 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas demonstrated a significant industry shift toward open-source artificial intelligence systems, with Chinese companies playing a prominent role in advocating for shared...

•	Credo AI partners with Carahsoft to bring AI governance to the public sector Credo AI, the leader in AI governance software for enterprises, and Carahsoft, The Trusted Government IT Solutions Provider, announced a partnership...

•	South Korea commits US$29.4 million to AI training programs for content creators South Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced a 43 billion won (US$29.4 million) investment in artificial intelligence training programs aimed at maintaining the country’s competitive edge in...

Middle East

•	New 450MHz network to boost industrial connectivity in Saudi Arabia Aramco Digital, the technology subsidiary of Saudi Aramco, is preparing to launch the Kingdom’s national industrial communications network operating in the 450MHz band...

•	Middle East electricity systems strained by AI boom and decarbonization goals The convergence of rapidly growing AI infrastructure, industrial electrification, and net-zero targets presents what energy planners describe as a fundamental shift in how power systems must be designed and operated across...

•	Web Summit Qatar startup programme sells out Web Summit Qatar has announced that its startup programme for the 2026 edition is officially sold out, with more than 1,600 startups from around the world having confirmed to attend the event...

•	MoU signed to enhance digital transformation projects in Oman The agreement aligns with national efforts to accelerate digital transformation and leverage future technologies, supporting Oman’s readiness in big data, artificial intelligence, and smart city applications...

North Africa

•	Egypt scales digital training with National Telecom Institute Egypt’s National Telecommunication Institute (NTI), operating under the strategic direction of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, closed 2025 having reached 49,310 beneficiaries through...

3G, 4G and 5G Networks

•	Mobile masts upgraded to boost 4G in rural Scotland More than 30 mobile masts have been upgraded across Scotland as part of a scheme to improve 4G coverage in rural areas...

•	VodafoneThree to expand 5G coverage and in-store services through Get Connected The extension will now see VodafoneThree become the exclusive mobile network operator (MNO) in 46+ Get Connected stores across Wales, the Midlands and the South West...

Satellite & Internet

•	Spacecoin secures strategic agreements for satellite internet in Africa and Asia Spacecoin announced strategic agreements with government authorities, telecoms, and industry partners across Africa and Asia to support real-world satellite internet demonstrations in Kenya, Nigeria, Indonesia, and...

•	Converge is the national broadband leader in the Philippines This report represents significant findings derived from extensive speed testing conducted to assess current network service quality and coverage effectiveness...

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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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