MTS, known for its prominent brands Altel and Tele2, is Kazakhstan’s leading provider of ultrafast 5G connectivity
Connectivity
Latest in Connectivity
Airline
IndiGo expands Saudi network with new Hyderabad-Madinah flight from February 20
Madinah is a significant destination for pilgrims undertaking Hajj and Umrah
Aviation
EXCLUSIVE: Qatar Airways ‘ahead of schedule’ on in-flight Starlink rollout, eyes complete fleet coverage
The Doha-based airline is pushing to complete Starlink installations across its Boeing 777 fleet by Q2 2025, followed by its Airbus A350 aircraft in summer 2025
communication
UAE’s Space42 deploys second SAR satellite with ICEYE collaboration
The second phase of the constellation will continue to boost Space42’s geospatial insights and capabilities with increased speed and precision
Beyond ONE
Virgin Mobile rolls out unique ‘Switch Postpaid’ plans in Saudi Arabia
The plan allows customers to pay only for the data they consume
Connectivity
Thuraya 4 set to enhance Space42’s capabilities after successful launch
The highly-advanced sixth geostationary satellite will help the UAE-based SpaceTech company’s plans to introduce 15 new products
Air India
Air India becomes first Indian carrier to introduce in-flight Wi-Fi connectivity
Starting 1 January 2025, Air India will offer in-flight Wi-Fi on A350, B787-9, and select A321neo flights
communication
Saudi telecom giant Mobily signs Red Sea cable deal with Telecom Egypt
The new underwater cable will enable Mobily to connect the Arabian Gulf and neighboring countries to the Egyptian Red Sea station through Mobily’s digital corridors
Connectivity
UAE telco du posts its best ever 9M results as net profit surges 49.7%
The telecom company’s Q3 net profit was $195.8 million – its best quarter in the past three years
5G
FRiENDi mobile partners with Vodafone Oman to deliver 5G next level connectivity
The collaboration will allow FRiENDi mobile to provide an unparalleled service experience to its 800k customers across the country, starting December 2024
AI powered smartphones
In pictures: Smartphone showdown: South Korea’s Samsung outsells Apple by 743 million units in a decade
Global smartphone shipments hit a whopping 14 billion in the past decade
airline industry
Vistara becomes first Indian airline to offer free in-flight wi-fi on international flights
For Business Class and Vistara Platinum Card members, up to 50 GB of data will be offered free of cost
5G
e& to build 11,000sqkm private 5G wireless network for ADNOC
The 5G network will connect 12,000 wells to autonomous control rooms and help integrate advanced AI solutions in most remote locations
Apple
Apple expands iPhone satellite-powered messaging beyond emergency calls in new iOS18 update
Apple said the new options will be available only for phones that already enable the emergency satellite messaging
Airbus
Connecting the unconnected in Saudi Arabia: Inside AALTO’s work to bring 5G to megaprojects
Airbus subsidiary AALTO targets Saudi megaprojects to bring 5G to underserved areas and aims to disrupt the economics of rural connectivity, the CEO says on the sidelines of MWC Barcelona 2024
Connectivity
India’s Reliance Jio rolls out affordable roaming packages for UAE, US
Jio has introduced in-flight data packages for 22 airlines, spanning 51 countries, with various benefits and pricing options
5g technology
AB In Focus: Ericsson’s MEA President Fadi Pharaon discusses 5G evolution and 6G plans at GITEX
In this episode of AB in Focus, Senior Reporter Tala Michel Issa interviews Fadi Pharaon, President of Ericsson Middle East and Africa, at GITEX