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SAMENA Daily - Industry News Briefing

Industry News Briefing
April 21, 2026

Featured Member News

AT&T and Citi enhance the AT&T Points Plus Card

AT&T and Citi have upgraded the AT&T Points Plus® card with no annual fee, adding monthly bill discounts and enhanced rewards to help customers save more and earn on everyday spending...

Algeria unveils first AI and cybersecurity startup cluster

Algeria has launched its first dedicated startup cluster focused on artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, marking a strategic move to strengthen its domestic technology ecosystem...

Member News

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Cisco brings sovereign critical infrastructure portfolio to UAE organizations

The portfolio spans Cisco’s core product lines including networking, security, compute, collaboration, network management, AI and Splunk.,,

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Nokia to publish first-quarter 2026 interim report on 23 April 2026

Nokia will publish its first-quarter 2026 interim report on 23 April 2026 at approximately 8 a.m. Finnish time (EEST)...

Recent Developments

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stc Group Extends Partnership with Netflix to Enrich Streaming for Customers in Saudi Arabia

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Nokia named overall leader for network API platforms by ABI Research, ranking first in innovation and implementation

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Churchill downs designates Cisco as official enterprise networking and Network Infrastructure Partner of the Kentucky Derby

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Omantel Innovation Labs launches Cohort 7: Shaping the future of entrepreneurship and innovation in Oman

Policy and Regulation

•	Kuwait begins nationwide telecom exchange maintenance to strengthen network reliability Kuwait’s Ministry of Communications has initiated a nationwide maintenance programme for telecom exchanges, aimed at improving network performance and service reliability...

•	Mozambique telcos submit 5G spectrum proposals to regulator Mozambique’s Communications Regulatory Authority (INCM) has kicked off plans to allocate 5G spectrum after receiving proposals from the country’s three main telcos – Tmcel, Vodacom Mozambique and Movitel...

South Asia

•	Ufone set to launch 5G services in Pakistan Ufone is preparing to launch 5G services in Pakistan, signaling a major step in the country’s transition toward next-generation mobile connectivity...

•	SLT-MOBITEL recognized as Sri Lanka’s #1 best mobile network by Ookla® Ookla’s Fastest Mobile Network Award relies on its Speed Score methodology, which evaluates download speeds, upload speeds, and latency...

3G, 4G and 5G Networks

•	4G expansion underway to boost digital connectivity Significant progress is being made to enhance digital connectivity in Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, with the Special Communications Organization (SCO) accelerating the rollout of 4G services in remote areas...

•	5G network now available in all regional capitals except Hrodna The 5G network is already operating in all regional capitals and Minsk, except for Hrodna, where some additional equipment modernization is needed...

Content & Immersive Technologies

•	Disney Channel to join Disney+ in Germany The Walt Disney Company will make its linear Disney Channel available on Disney+ in Germany from May 2026 at no additional cost to subscribers, extending the streaming service’s content offering with a curated live...

•	VITEC adds new video wall and DRM functionality to EZ TV IPTV and digital signage platform These capabilities are fully supported through the EZ TV Platform, with DRM integration also available across VITEC’s IPTV set-top-boxes, signage end-points and the EZ TV IPTV mobile app...

Global Telecom Update

•	Atos integrates Google threat intelligence to strengthen global cybersecurity operations This innovative collaboration equips organizations with earlier insight into emerging threats and the ability to prioritize and contain them more quickly...

•	Cloudflare targets 2029 for full post-quantum security Cloudflare announced a major acceleration of its post-quantum security roadmap, committing to achieve full quantum-resistant protection across its global network by 2029,,,

•	Econet AI launch takes place in Zimbabwe Operator Econet Wireless Zimbabwe says it has launched Econet AI, which is described as a dedicated standalone business unit created to accelerate artificial intelligence adoption across the country’s economy...

Middle East

•	KACST and ispace partner on lunar exploration technologies in Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia’s King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) has signed a partnership with Japanese company ispace to collaborate on lunar exploration technologies, marking a step forward in the...

•	Vodafone Qatar reports 24% rise in Q1 net profit to QR201 million Vodafone Qatar has reported a 24% increase in net profit for the first quarter, reaching QR201 million, reflecting strong financial performance driven by growth in its core telecom and digital services...

•	SYSC expands mobile service capabilities across the UAE SYSC has expanded its mobile service capabilities across the UAE, strengthening its ability to deliver on-site technology and support services for businesses...

•	Foo partners with OMPay to advance Oman’s digital payments ecosystem Foo has partnered with OMPay to strengthen Oman’s digital payments infrastructure, as the country accelerates its transition toward a cashless economy...

North Africa

•	Algeria unveils first AI and cybersecurity startup cluster Algeria has launched its first dedicated startup cluster focused on artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, marking a strategic move to strengthen its domestic technology ecosystem...

Satellite & Internet

•	Amazon Leo just gave Southeast Asia’s satellite internet market a second player Amazon will acquire Globalstar’s satellites, radio frequency spectrum, and operational expertise–enabling Amazon Leo to add direct-to-device (D2D) services to its low Earth orbit network and extend cellular...

•	Brightspeed reaches over 100,000 locations with fiber in Arkansas The country’s second largest wholesale broadband operator says that keeping our old copper network makes Ireland a European laggard and holds business back...

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