Page 111 - SAMENA Trends - August-September 2025

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

by officials, including Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, since Japarov’s populist and nationalist party swept to
whose decree only says the move was needed for power on a wave of protests in 2020. It adds that the
"creating conditions for further improvement of government has made the protection of what are called
digital transformation”. A local news report expands traditional Kyrgyz values a centerpiece of his agenda.
on this slightly, saying the measure is intended to All telecommunications operators and internet service
improve the management of the country’s digital and providers (ISPs) currently working with international
telecommunications infrastructure, streamline internet traffic will be required to transfer their agreements and
traffic, and enhance communication quality. However, contracts for cooperation with state-owned telecoms
Reuters adds that Kyrgyzstan recently banned access company ElCat within two months. The government
to online pornography to "protect moral and ethical will transfer 100% of the shares of ISP Aknet to ElCat to
values", and notes that Kyrgyzstan has seen increasing strengthen its capabilities.
pressure on opposition groups and independent media (August 1, 2025) www.developingtelecoms.com

Malaysia’s 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) is placing Enterprise and AI City Grant program, 14 recipients —
artificial intelligence (AI) at the core of the nation’s digital including universities, companies, and local authorities
transformation strategy, Digital Minister Gobind Singh — have been awarded funding for projects across
Deo announced. Central to this effort is the upcoming agriculture, healthcare, logistics, manufacturing, and
Malaysia AI Nation Framework, a priority initiative under Prime education. These solutions, ranging from autonomous
Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, designed to harness drone corridors to AI-powered transport systems, are
Malaysia’s 5G network for smart city solutions built on designed to be scalable and replicable nationwide.
existing data infrastructure. Minister Gobind emphasized that the initiatives will
The plan also introduces the concept of a “data empower SMEs and public institutions, ensuring
commission” and a national “data bank” to strengthen innovation benefits grassroots communities. The AI
digital trust and support the vision of becoming an AI- Nation Framework’s five pillars focus on forward-
driven nation. These initiatives will be showcased at looking AI policies, a digitally skilled workforce, secure
the Smart City Expo Kuala Lumpur 2025 (SCEKL25) infrastructure, digital trust, and strategic investments to
from September 17–19, highlighting Malaysia’s position Malaysia as a regional AI hub. Ultimately, the
progress in integrating AI into urban development. government’s strategy seeks to make AI an enabler for
Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB) and the Malaysia Digital all Malaysians — enhancing public services, bridging
Economy Corporation (MDEC) will lead the AI Cities development gaps, expanding access to healthcare and
initiative, complementing the Ministry of Housing and education, and supporting small businesses — while
Local Government’s Smart Cities program. The goal ensuring ethical, inclusive, and globally competitive AI
is to translate strategic leadership into real-world adoption.
innovation with tangible local benefits. As part of the 5G (August 15, 2025) www.meatechwatch.com

Paratus Group has launched Namibia’s first private offer affordable voice and data packages, alongside
mobile network, introducing LTE and 5G technologies services such as Voice over LTE (VoLTE), Wi-Fi calling,
as part of its 20th anniversary in the country. The and digital activation. It forms part of a broader
move positions Paratus as a challenger to the state- ecosystem of connectivity options, including fiber,
Namibia owned operators that have long dominated the wireless Sky-Fi, and integrated enterprise solutions.
Namibian market. The launch also reflects two decades (September 3, 2025) www.cioafrica.co
of investment by the company in building digital
infrastructure to support connectivity and economic MTC Namibia has officially launched its 5G network,
growth. Since 2018, Paratus has invested approximately becoming the first operator in the country to roll out
$80.1 million (N$1.417 billion) in network infrastructure, the next-generation mobile technology. The service is
including fiber networks, satellite services, data centers, now live in Ongwediva, Swakopmund, Walvis Bay and
and the landing of the Equiano subsea cable. In the past Windhoek, with the company confirming that a broader
year, the group allocated an additional $33.9 million rollout will follow in the coming months to extend
(N$600 million) to develop the mobile network, with coverage nationwide. MTC said the introduction of
one third of that funding used to build a new digital 5G marks a major step in advancing Namibia’s digital
technology stack. This system, developed with Cerillion transformation, enabling faster connectivity, improved
and Nokia, integrates all Paratus services into a single reliability and supporting innovations across industries.
digital platform for customers. The mobile network will “The connectivity power and seamlessness that come

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