Orange expanded its 5G testbed programme into Jordan to explore new use cases using the new technology standard, as part of the operator’s long-term strategy to unlock more value from 5G before launching in the country.

Qatar-based operator Ooredoo Group has apparently advanced a plan to sell off domestic and international towers, tapping up Morgan Stanley to facilitate a potential deal, reported Reuters.

Israel’s Communications Minister Yoaz Hendel says he is considering closing old copper networks and transferring all communications services to newer fibre optic infrastructure.

Saudi Arabian regulator the Communication and Information Technology Commission (CITC) has given more details on its planned non-terrestrial networks (NTN) 5G spectrum auction in the 2100MHz band.

Avanti Communications has signed a new agreement with Turksat that will see the firms deliver extensive, continuous coverage across Africa and the Middle East.

The Jordanian Telecommunications Regulatory Commission penned an agreement with operator Zain in preparation for the launch of 5G services, following similar deals with Orange and Umniah.

Investor 3i Infrastructure has completed a $512 million investment to acquire a 100% stake in Global Cloud Xchange (GCX), a leading global data communications service provider and owner of the world’s largest private subsea fibre optic networks.

Lebanon has seen nationwide internet shutdowns as employees of state-owned telco Ogero walked out in protest over the company’s failure to adjust their wages in the face of the country’s devastating economic crisis.

Palestine Cellular Communications Ltd (Jawwal), a leading Palestinian provider of cellular communications, has signed an exclusive interworking agreement with international voice and messaging specialist Vox Solutions for direct termination of A2P (application-to-person) SMS international traffic to Jawwal's network.

Telecommunications services provider Saudi Telecommunication Company (STC) says it has launched its first high-speed cable in the Red Sea, through a landing station in Jeddah.

Algérie Télécom Satellite (ATS), Algeria’s leading satellite services provider, has signed a reseller agreement with communications and IT services provider Speedcast to expand its business and widen its customer base.

Telecom Egypt and Orange Jordan have announced what is described as a strategic collaboration agreement to create a reliable terrestrial system connecting Iraq to Europe through Jordanian and Egyptian territories.

Leading regional satellite operator Türksat and satellite communications company ST Engineering iDirect have signed a multi-million dollar contract for the ground systems required to run a variety of services over the recently launched Türksat 5B satellite.

Israel’s Minister of Communications Yoaz Hendel has announced plans to incentivize cellular companies to maintain cell site partnerships, which will include sharing passive network components, such as the mast, structure and electricity, along with antenna sharing.

Zain Bahrain, a leading telecommunications operator in Bahrain and part of the mobile voice and data services group that has a commercial footprint in seven Middle Eastern and African countries, has said that it has deployed the “most innovative Internet of Things (IoT) technology” in collaboration with Ericsson.

According to local press reports, Jordan has taken the first steps towards formalising 5G adoption, after the country’s Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) signed an agreement late last week with two operators, Orange and Umniah, in preparation for the introduction of 5G services in the kingdom.

Citing sources with knowledge of the matter, a number of news outlets have been reporting that a cable project may soon be formally announced that will connect Morocco with Mauritania through Western Sahara.

Telecom Egypt has signed a five-year national roaming deal with Orange Egypt.

Orange Egypt has resigned Nokia to a five-year contract to modernise its subscriber data management (SDM), a move Nokia said will bolster reliability and security for Orange customers and prepare the operator for a commercial 5G launch.

Iraqi fixed-line provider Kurdtel Communications has selected solutions from digital enablement firm Alepo to modernise its network.

Fintech firm VYZYO has announced that its subsidiary TDFP (Tunisian Digital Finance for People) has signed a partnership agreement with local Al Baraka Bank to launch and operate a new mobile wallet service.

Morocco’s National Agency of Telecommunications Regulation (ANRT / Agence Nationale de Reglementation de Telecom) has issued Maroc Telecom Group a cumulative fine of MAD2.45 billion (US$238 million).