Page 83 - SAMENA Trends - June-July 2025

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Omani expertise and readiness in the space Vision 2040." She added, "The program project represents a significant opportunity
domain, in line with national aspirations,” aims to fast-track the growth of domestic for young Omanis and small and medium
he said. Ghaida al Jabri, Project Manager at entities and put them in a position to be enterprises to take up a forward-thinking
Ankaa Space & Technologies, highlighted at the forefront of Oman's new space and fast-growing global industry." He noted,
the inclusive and collaborative nature of economy." Speaking to the Observer, Dan "Given the data-driven nature of the space
the project. "Oman has worked on this Veal, Principal Investigator at Exotopic, economy, it's quite open for new entrants
program in partnership with MoTCIT, emphasised the strategic timing of Oman's to make a significant impact quite soon.
Al Ankaa, and Exotopic in the National entry into the space race. "Oman is entering Oman has a good chance of competing at
Space Program. It is a demonstration of the international space sector at a critical the regional and global level.
direct contribution to the innovation and time when neighboring nations are heavily
private sector development pillars of Oman investing in space technologies. The

Pakistan Marks 200 Million Telecom Subscribers: PTA

Pakistan has crossed 200 million telecom
subscribers, the country’s telecom regulator
said, marking a major benchmark in its
digital expansion and triggering a
nationwide celebration. In a public
statement, the PTA highlighted that the
country has also crossed 150 million
broadband subscribers and two million
fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) users,
underscoring significant progress in
expanding nationwide digital access. To
mark the occasion, the PTA announced a
series of celebratory initiatives. On June 20,
all mobile users across the country will
receive free 2GB of data and 200 on-net
minutes, valid for 24 hours, by dialling
*2200#. In addition, 200 locally assembled
smartphones will be distributed through a be shared via the PTA’s social media including 53 million 4G subscribers, and a
computerised ballot among female SIM platforms. The regulator acknowledged the total digital footprint of more than 100
owners across Pakistan, Azad Jammu and collective contributions of key industry million users, Jazz said it remains
Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan. The PTA will stakeholders including mobile operators committed to expanding connectivity and
announce winners on its social media Jazz, Zong, Ufone, Telenor, and fixed-line capability across Pakistan. “Crossing 200
accounts. The PTA also revealed plans to and broadband providers such as PTCL, million subscribers is more than just a
deploy free Wi-Fi hotspots for six months at Cybernet, Wateen, Transworld, and Nayatel. number -- it is a powerful symbol of
select Higher Education Commission Reacting to the announcement, Jazz, the Pakistan’s digital evolution,” said CEO of
(HEC)-recognised universities, including country’s largest digital operator, Jazz Aamir Ibrahim. “We thank the PTA for
women’s universities, aimed at boosting congratulated the PTA and celebrated its its support in building a future-ready
digital empowerment among students. own role in driving digital inclusion. With ecosystem and reaffirm our mission to
Details and updates for these initiatives will over 73 million mobile phone users, push the frontier of digital inclusion.”

83 JUNE-JULY 2025