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SAMENA Daily - Industry News Briefing

Industry News Briefing
August 31, 2026

Featured Member News

SAMENA Council Emphasizes Knowledge and Capability Exchange across Leading and Emerging Digital Markets

The SAMENA Telecommunications Council has called for stronger exchange of knowledge, experience, and technological capability between leading and emerging digital markets, with telecom operators and technology providers helping turn such exchange into local industry development, investment, and new market opportunities...

Member News

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Omantel and Children’s Public Library give a refurbished payphone a new voice for reading and inclusion

A public payphone once used to connect people across Oman has been given a new purpose at the Children’s Public Library in Muscat, where visitors can now use it to discover books through the voice of Al Baraa Al Jabri,...

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Salam named strategic sponsor of LEAP 2026, unveils Connectivity+ solutions

Etihad Salam Telecom Company (Salam) has announced its strategic sponsorship of LEAP 2026, taking place from 31 August to 3 September at the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Center in Malham, Saudi Arabia...

Recent Developments

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stc Group showcases its innovative solutions as Strategic Partner of LEAP 2026 for the fifth consecutive year

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Cisco expands secure AI factory with NVIDIA for the rack-scale era

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SAMENA Council Welcomes Zetrix AI to Advance Telco-Led AI Services and New Digital Revenue Opportunities

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Omantel Explores Collaboration with GalaxySpace on Next-Generation Satellite Connectivity Opportunities

Policy and Regulation

•	CST holds the “Space Startup Capability Development Products” session The session aimed to raise awareness of support programs for space sector startups, expand opportunities for collaboration with national programs, and maximize the use of available enablers to support business development...

•	Oman issues new number portability framework to accelerate mobile switching Oman’s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority has introduced a new Number Portability Regulatory Framework aimed at making it faster and easier for users to switch telecom providers while keeping their existing...

Middle East

•	Ooredoo Qatar launches ‘Good to be Back’ campaign with home, family and device offers Ooredoo Qatar has launched its “Good to be Back” campaign as customers return to work and school routines, bringing together home connectivity, entertainment, family mobile plans and device financing under a...

•	Saudi Communications Minister discusses expanding AI, quantum computing partnerships in France Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah Alswaha held a series of meetings during his visit to France with senior executives from leading global companies in artificial intelligence (AI), digital...

•	Sharjah launches Cyber Security Strategy 2026–2031 to strengthen digital resilience Sharjah Digital Department has launched the Sharjah Cyber Security Strategy 2026–2031, establishing the emirate’s first comprehensive dedicated cyber security framework as it expands digital services and critical...

•	Riyadh Digital Innovation District launched as global innovation hub The Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC) has launched the Riyadh Digital Innovation District, one of its key strategic initiatives aimed at positioning the capital as a global hub for technology talent and digital...

North Africa

•	Morocco and India deepen digital cooperation on AI, public infrastructure and language technologies Morocco and India are exploring deeper cooperation across digital transformation, artificial intelligence, digital public infrastructure and digital skills, with both countries agreeing to establish a joint commission to...

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

•	Malawi’s 87% 4G coverage masks one of Africa’s largest mobile internet usage gaps Malawi has expanded 4G coverage to 87% of its population and offers relatively low-cost mobile data, but around 80% of people living within network coverage remain offline, highlighting a widening gap between infrastructure...

•	Globe expands 5G network in Pavia, Iloilo Globe Telecom, Inc. has expanded its fifth-generation (5G) network in Pavia, Iloilo, with more than 10 5G sites complementing over 15 cell sites serving the municipality...

•	Alibaba Cloud launches first cloud region in Brazil with agentic AI services Alibaba Cloud announced that it has launched its first cloud region in Brazil, with two new data centres and an upcoming suite of enterprise-grade agentic AI services in the region...

Content & Immersive Technologies

•	Yospace launches new Ad Presentation solution Yospace has unveiled its new Ad Presentation solution, a technology designed to help broadcasters deploy non‑linear ad formats at scale and unlock new advertising inventory across live, VOD and FAST streaming...

•	BBC and ScreenSkills co-publish new study of the UK Digital Content Creator landscape Creator Skills: Progression, Provision and Priorities ScreenSkills and the BBC have co-published a new report highlighting the opportunities and challenges currently facing the UK’s rapidly evolving Digital Content Creator (DCC) sector...

Satellite & Hybrid Networks

•	KDDI expands au Starlink direct international coverage to Philippines, New Zealand KDDI and Okinawa Cellular announced the expansion of international access for "au Starlink Direct," their direct-to-device satellite communication service, powered by Starlink Mobile...

•	Cebu strengthens fiber-neutral infra in vertical developments Cebu’s push to strengthen its digital infrastructure is gaining momentum as technology firms expand fiber-optic connectivity in vertical developments,...

South Asia

•	Jazz reaches 1,000 5G sites in Pakistan as rollout targets 2,500 by year-end Pakistani operator Jazz has expanded its 5G network to 1,000 sites across 10 cities, claiming the country’s largest 5G footprint as it accelerates deployment following its spectrum acquisition earlier this year...

•	Nepal Telecom restores service at 7 flood-hit sites in Rasuwa, Nuwakot Nepal Telecom has restored mobile connectivity across seven key BTS tower sites in flood-affected Rasuwa and Nuwakot, bringing most network coverage in the disaster zone back online...

Global Telecom Update

•	Ti Group licensed to provide telecommunications services without network infrastructure Licensed services include basic telecommunications services: data transmission services, leased line services, Internet connection services; and value-added telecommunications services: Internet access services...

•	One NZ, 2degrees propose RAN infrastructure sharing platform One New Zealand announced its proposed plans to establish a network infrastructure sharing arrangement with 2degrees, to combine each company’s RAN infrastructure in a new, jointly-owned business...

•	Indonesia launches Garuda Spark Innovation Hub in Jayapura to expand digital talent development The initiative is positioned as a regional talent development platform, with a focus on giving young Papuans greater access to learning, mentorship, skills development and collaboration opportunities...

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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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