Uzbekistan and Pakistan are collaborating to advance their information technology and telecommunications sectors, seeking to establish a robust framework for mutual growth. During a recent meeting between Uzbekistan’s Ambassador Oybek Usmanov and Pakistan’s Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecommunications, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, both nations demonstrated a strong commitment to exploring new opportunities for cooperation.
The discussion highlighted Uzbekistan’s ongoing reforms, including creating IT parks, e-government initiatives, and adopting innovative technologies across various sectors. Uzbekistan and Pakistan plan to establish a joint working group to formalise this partnership. The group will focus on identifying key areas for collaboration and developing a comprehensive roadmap to guide their joint initiatives, thereby enhancing technological capabilities and leveraging shared expertise in IT and telecommunications.
In addition to formalising their partnership, Uzbekistan and Pakistan are exploring ways to capitalise on each other’s strengths in digital innovation. The Pakistani delegation praised Uzbekistan’s achievements in digitalising public services and integrating AI. That mutual respect emphasises their shared interest in fostering collaboration, particularly in high-tech solutions and digital infrastructure, and highlights the potential for significant advancements through their joint efforts.
EE has recently expanded its network capabilities with the rollout of its 5G Standalone (5GSA) technology across 15 major cities in the UK. The significant upgrade positions EE as the third UK carrier to deploy 5GSA, following Vodafone and VMO2. The new 5GSA network is designed to deliver faster speeds, reduced latency, and enhanced reliability, addressing the growing demand for high-performance connectivity. With features like ‘Network Boost,’ EE aims to improve performance in crowded areas by providing additional capacity to users on select plans.
EE has also introduced a range of new mobile plans to complement its 5GSA network. These plans include unlimited data options, generous roaming allowances for the EU, and select international destinations. Premium subscribers can benefit from added value through access to Google One AI Premium tools, Apple One, Netflix, and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.
EE is further advancing its broadband offerings with the Wi-Fi 7 Smart Hub Pro launch. Developed in collaboration with Qualcomm, this new hub provides superior home connectivity with faster speeds, reduced interference, and improved coverage. Full Fibre customers will enjoy gigabit speeds and a guaranteed 100Mbps connection in every room. To ensure customer satisfaction, EE offers a money-back guarantee for users who are not completely satisfied with the new hub’s performance.
Egypt Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly signed five key Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with Chinese firms and institutions to enhance Egypt-China telecommunications and information technology cooperation. These agreements, made during the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing, mark a significant development in Egypt’s tech and infrastructure sectors.
The first MoU with FiberHome Telecommunication Technologies involves setting up a fibre optic cable factory in Egypt, producing one million fibre kilometres annually and creating 200 jobs. It will also include a research and development centre and a training facility for network engineers.
The second MoU, with ITIDA, Tsinghua Unigroup, and Telecom Egypt, focuses on building a data centre and cloud services operation supported by a $300 million investment fund. This partnership will also establish a research centre for semiconductor design and develop AI applications, including an Arabic language model.
Huawei Egypt’s MoU will establish a development centre for local industry solutions, software, and cloud computing, aiming to train 1,500 developers by 2025 and support startups with cloud resources. The fourth MoU with ZTE will localise network equipment production and establish training labs for 5G and GPON technologies, providing training for 1,200 participants.
The final MoU with Hengtong Group will create a second fibre optic cable factory in the Suez Canal Economic Zone with a $15 million investment, producing 3 million kilometres of cables annually and including a training academy in collaboration with the National Telecommunications Institute. These agreements highlight Egypt’s commitment to advancing its technological infrastructure and deepening its partnership with China.
The US National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has outlined several recommendations to enhance the coordination of federal broadband programs to ensure efficient use of resources and equitable access to high-speed internet. One key recommendation is to standardise programs at the time of authorisation, which would reduce complexity and unnecessary variation for applicants. By establishing common frameworks and guidelines, stakeholders can navigate the application processes more effectively, streamlining broadband initiatives’ deployment across various regions.
Another significant recommendation focuses on the coordination of funding among federal agencies in the US. The NTIA suggests that agencies should work collaboratively to minimise duplication of efforts and ensure that federal broadband funding is directed to areas with the most pressing needs. This involves documenting standard operating procedures to guide funding decisions and promote the most efficient utilisation of resources, ultimately enhancing the impact of federal investments in broadband infrastructure.
Data collection and mapping are also critical areas highlighted in the NTIA’s recommendations. Federal broadband programs should align their reporting requirements with the standards set for the Broadband Funding Map and NTIA’s annual access broadband report. The NTIA encourages efforts to incentivise states to contribute relevant data, which would improve the accuracy and comprehensiveness of broadband deployment data. This enhanced data collection is essential for informed decision-making and effective planning in addressing the digital divide.
Additionally, the NTIA recommends common policies across federal programs to adjust funding and establish a deduplication review process through revised MOUs. This would enable agencies and State Broadband Offices to review funding commitments, preventing overlaps and ensuring effective resource allocation.
The National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA) and the National Telecommunication Institute (NTI) of Egypt have renewed their commitment to ensuring public safety through rigorous monitoring of electromagnetic radiation (EMR) from cell towers. That agreement highlights the importance of adhering to internationally accepted safety standards, aiming to protect public health by ensuring that EMR levels from new and existing cell towers remain within permissible limits.
To achieve this, the NTRA and NTI are integrating the latest technologies into their measurement procedures, including digitising and automating processes for greater efficiency and accuracy. By utilising cloud computing for report accessibility, this initiative aligns with the broader Digital Egypt strategy, further enhancing transparency and accessibility in monitoring practices. Through these efforts, the NTRA and NTI are reinforcing their dedication to maintaining both safety and high technical standards in telecommunications.
The National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA) and the National Telecommunication Institute (NTI) collaborate to ensure compliance with safety standards, with NTI conducting EMR measurements and NTRA overseeing the process. Their joint efforts reinforce a commitment to maintaining both safety and high technical standards in telecommunications.
América Móvil and Telefónica have signed a non-binding agreement to explore the potential joint acquisition of WOM’s assets, which are currently undergoing Chapter 11 reorganisation in the US. This arrangement allows both companies to assess the opportunity without being obligated to make a formal bid, giving them the flexibility to withdraw from the process at any time before an official offer is submitted. This non-binding nature allows them to evaluate the strategic and financial implications of the acquisition thoroughly.
The primary goal of the potential acquisition is to enhance telecommunications infrastructure in Chile. By acquiring WOM’s assets, América Móvil and Telefónica aim to improve high-speed network coverage and support the country’s digital transformation. This investment is expected to boost service quality and increase competition, which will benefit Chilean consumers through better connectivity and advanced digital solutions.
If the acquisition proceeds, it will require regulatory approvals, including from Chile’s National Economic Prosecutor’s Office, to ensure compliance with competition laws and sectoral regulations. This regulatory oversight is essential to address any potential legal and anti-competitive concerns, ensuring the transaction aligns with local and sector-specific requirements.
China recently launched a Long March-6 carrier rocket, marking the 534th mission in the Long March series. The rocket carried ten commercial satellites for Geespace, a subsidiary of Geely, and was launched from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center.
These satellites are part of Geely’s ‘Future Mobility Constellation’ network, expanding the total to 30 satellites. With this deployment, Geespace now provides 24/7 communication coverage to 90% of the world, becoming the first Chinese commercial company to offer global low Earth orbit satellite communication services. This significant achievement furthers China’s efforts in commercial space endeavours.
Initiated in 2019, the project has made substantial progress, with successful launches in 2022 and 2024, aiming to achieve global vehicle-to-everything connectivity by 2025. The Long March-6 rocket, designed for small payloads under 1,000 kilograms, is comparable to rockets like the European Vega and Russia’s Angara-1. However, the launch took place amid concerns raised by the US about debris from previous Chinese rockets in low-Earth orbit, underscoring ongoing challenges in space debris management.
Japan and Australia have recently strengthened their collaboration to enhance economic security for Pacific Island nations, responding to China’s growing influence in the region. The initiative was formalised during a ‘two-plus-two’ meeting of foreign and defence ministers, where both countries committed to establishing the Japan-Australia Pacific Digital Development Initiative.
That framework aims to support the development of telecommunications infrastructure, including installing submarine cables, which are crucial for secure communication. By investing in these projects, Japan and Australia aim to reduce the reliance of Pacific Island nations on Chinese technology, which poses potential security risks due to vulnerabilities in data extraction and disruption.
Additionally, Japan and Australia are upgrading their Economic Security Dialogue and enhancing military collaboration as part of their broader security initiative. The Economic Security Dialogue will explore practical cooperation against economic coercion from China, focusing on enhancing the financial resilience of Pacific Island nations. The two countries are also dispatching a liaison officer from Japan’s Self-Defense Forces to Australia’s Joint Operations Command to improve operational coordination and strengthen their collective defence posture.
Furthermore, both nations have reaffirmed their strong opposition to unilateral attempts to alter the status quo in the East and South China Seas, emphasising their commitment to regional stability and international law.
u-blox and Wireless Logic Ltd has announced a strategic partnership to enhance IoT devices’ capabilities by integrating Wireless Logic’s IoT network, Conexa, with u-blox’s advanced cellular modules. The collaboration is designed to provide seamless, robust, and scalable connectivity solutions, addressing the increasing demand for reliable IoT deployments across various sectors, including automotive, industrial, healthcare, and smart cities. By combining their expertise, both companies aim to empower businesses and developers to manage their IoT solutions effectively.
u-blox and Wireless Logic Ltd will enhance IoT connectivity by integrating Wireless Logic’s industry-leading network into select u-blox cellular modules. This integration will offer customers superior network reliability, extensive global coverage, and the flexibility to switch between multiple mobile networks using eSIM technology. This eliminates the need for physical SIM card changes, making deployments more efficient and adaptable to changing requirements.
u-blox and Wireless Logic Ltd are committed to providing unparalleled scalability and flexibility in their combined offerings. The partnership will enable businesses to deploy IoT solutions at scale more efficiently. At the same time, Wireless Logic’s intuitive platform will allow users to manage and monitor their connectivity, providing greater control and visibility over their IoT deployments.
The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has taken a significant step towards enhancing internet accessibility by forming a committee dedicated to developing guidelines for satellite internet services. This move aims to facilitate the entry of major players like Elon Musk’s Starlink and other competitors into the Bangladeshi market. The committee will focus on crafting regulations for non-geostationary satellite orbit (NGSO) systems, known for their dynamic orbiting patterns and potential to improve connectivity, especially in remote and underserved regions.
The decision to form this committee reflects the BTRC’s commitment to leveraging advanced technologies to bridge digital divides across Bangladesh. In December 2023, the government had already signalled its intention to grant a license to Starlink, emphasising the goal of democratising internet access and ensuring that connectivity reaches even the country’s most isolated areas. That initiative is seen as a proactive approach to address the urgent need for alternative internet solutions, especially in light of recent disruptions in existing connectivity infrastructure.
Despite its potential, satellite internet faces challenges in Bangladesh due to high costs. Starlink’s hardware can reach $599, with monthly fees of around $120, compared to local ISPs offering broadband for about $5. This price gap may hinder widespread adoption.
