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Indian Express
06-08-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Top 10 countries with the fastest mobile internet in 2025: Here's where India stands
Top 10 countries with the fastest mobile internet in 2025: We live in a digital era, with around 5.56 billion people using the internet globally as of early 2025, according to DataReportal. As the internet becomes increasingly central to modern life, the global rollout of 5G has led users to rely more on mobile devices than desktops, resulting in significant leaps in mobile internet speeds. According to Ookla, median cellular download speeds worldwide have surged by more than 80 per cent in the past two years. Leading the charge is the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which now boasts the world's fastest mobile internet, with users experiencing a median download speed of 546.14 Mbps as of June 2025, per the Speedtest Global Index. Several Gulf nations dominate the rankings, with five of them placing in the global top 10 for mobile internet speed, well above the worldwide average. The broader trend points to Asia and the Middle East leading the pack, while the United States ranks 14th globally at 165.57 Mbps speed. Speedtest Global Index ranked countries as per the highest median mobile internet speed as of July 2025, listed below are the top 10 countries: India currently ranks 26th in the world for median mobile download speed, clocking in at 133.51 Mbps, a three-spot improvement from its previous position. The jump reflects India's ongoing digital transformation, strengthened by the expansion of mobile network infrastructure and the continued rollout of 5G technology aimed at bringing high-speed internet access to its vast population. Cherry Gupta is an Assistant Manager – Content at The Indian Express. She leads the Top 10 section, curating list-based features on key national and international developments, and manages daily news content. She also produces SEO-driven articles and collaborates with the Lifestyle team to conduct interviews with notable artists and write workplace culture features. ... Read More
Observer
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Observer
Short-Form Supremacy: How TikTok, Reels, and YouTube Shorts Changed Storytelling
In the age of information overload, brevity is power. The meteoric rise of short-form video platforms—TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts—has reshaped not only how we consume content but also how we tell stories. Once, a compelling narrative demanded time and attention; now, it must compete for a swipe, a like, and a few precious seconds of someone's scrolling. This shift has had seismic effects on storytelling, from how creators engage audiences to how legacy institutions like newspapers and broadcasters reconsider their roles in the digital age. TikTok's global dominance is supported by figures: as of January 2024, TikTok had over 1.56 billion monthly active users worldwide, according to Statista (2024). The average user spends around 95 minutes a day on the app (DataReportal, 2024), a staggering amount of screen time that has prompted creators to distil their stories into fast, engaging formats. Its success has led Instagram and YouTube to prioritise short-form videos through Reels and Shorts, respectively. YouTube Shorts, for example, exceeded 70 billion daily views by mid-2023 (Google, 2023). Renowned local influencer Sultan Al Balushi explained, 'Social media plays a huge role nowadays; people read less and watch more. There's a trust that comes from seeing something visually. With platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels, storytelling needs to be more immediate and relatable. You're not just telling a story any more; you're showing it. That shift has changed how we connect with audiences — attention spans are shorter, but the emotional impact can be greater if you get it right.' In the Gulf, the rise is equally notable. In Oman, TikTok had approximately 1.1 million active users by early 2024, accounting for nearly 20% of the population (DataReportal, Oman 2024). In Saudi Arabia, over 26 million TikTok users have been recorded, with a penetration rate of 73% — making it one of the platform's strongest markets globally (Statista, 2024). Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts are also thriving, especially among users aged 18–34, who form the digital core of the GCC's population. Short-form video has redefined storytelling. Traditional narrative arcs have been condensed or reimagined, replaced by bursts of mood, visuals, and relatability. A 15-second skit in an Omani dialect or a drone shot of a remote wadi can now convey a richer sense of place than lengthy travel articles. These micro-narratives thrive on aesthetic and emotional resonance, rather than conventional structure. Equally transformative is who gets to tell the story. In Oman, social creators and a new generation of local influencers have built digital communities showcasing humour, nature, and regional pride, often in both Arabic and English. Their success reflects a wider regional trend, where democratisation of content creation has allowed voices from small towns to reach a global audience without institutional backing. According to a Statista Global Consumer Survey (2023), more than 50% of Gen Z users in the MENA region prefer discovering content via TikTok or Instagram over traditional media channels. These platforms are becoming entry points not just for entertainment but also for awareness, activism, and community-building. In Oman, initiatives such as turtle conservation, local crafts, and anti-plastic campaigns have gained traction through Reels and Shorts, often reaching audiences that traditional outreach cannot. Short-form video is particularly suited to our distracted, mobile-first lifestyles. A study by Microsoft Canada suggested that the average human attention span has fallen to around 8 seconds in the digital age (Microsoft, 2015). TikTok's internal data supports this trend: videos under 30 seconds consistently perform better in terms of completion and sharing (TikTok for Business, 2023). The format also bridges linguistic and cultural divides. In Oman and the wider Gulf, creators often alternate between Arabic and English, with subtitles making content more inclusive. This fluidity helps local stories resonate globally. For example, traditional Omani music or fashion becomes viral, not just as cultural heritage, but as part of global trend cycles—remixed, duetted, and restaged by users worldwide. Long-form journalism, however, faces growing challenges. Traditional media outlets are contending with a new wave of content creators who can break down complex stories in under a minute. According to the Reuters Institute Digital News Report (2023), over 60% of users under 35 prefer to consume news via video—especially short formats—rather than lengthy articles or traditional broadcasts. In Oman, this trend is reflected by younger audiences turning more to platforms like TikTok for explanations and Instagram for quick headline updates. This doesn't mean long-form journalism is obsolete. Deep investigations, policy analysis, and multi-source reporting still matter — perhaps more than ever. But the path to engaging audiences now often begins on platforms designed for short, visual bursts. Newsrooms are adapting their strategies accordingly. International examples such as The Washington Post's TikTok account (which now has over 1.6 million followers) demonstrate that it's possible to tell substantial stories in playful, digestible formats. Similar initiatives are emerging in the Gulf, involving Arabic-language explainers and cross-platform storytelling strategies to reach younger, digital-savvy audiences. However, short-form content also introduces risks. Misinformation can spread rapidly, exploiting the speed and emotional appeal of these platforms. A landmark MIT study revealed that false news is 70% more likely to be retweeted and spreads six times as fast as truth on social media (Vosoughi et al., Science, 2018). To counter this, Gulf countries have introduced stricter digital regulations. In Oman, Royal Decree 12/2011 on cybercrime (updated in 2018) criminalises the dissemination of false information that could disturb public order, with penalties including fines and imprisonment. The UAE's Federal Decree Law No. 34 of 2021 further criminalises fake news, imposing up to two years' imprisonment and fines of AED 100,000, and requiring social media influencers to register with authorities. Saudi Arabia's Anti-Cybercrime Law enforces similar penalties, with fines reaching SAR 3 million and up to five years' imprisonment for online misinformation. Kuwait's Electronic Media Law mandates registration for digital publishers, while Qatar's Penal Code amendments criminalise spreading false news—both with potential jail terms of up to five years. These laws reflect a regional consensus: viral content must be held accountable. There's also the danger of oversimplification. Complex issues—such as labour reforms, climate policies, or foreign relations—are often reduced to punchy soundbites. Moreover, cultural sensitivities need to be considered; missteps can provoke backlash or legal repercussions in tightly knit societies. Yet, the answer is not to reject short-form storytelling, but to evolve alongside it. The future lies in hybrid formats—TikTok videos that lead into podcasts, Reels that serve as visual abstracts of feature articles, or Shorts that tease full-length documentaries. Skillful producers are learning to connect formats and craft narratives that span multiple platforms, creating a cohesive story ecosystem. Audiences—especially the youth—are not disengaged; they are simply consuming content in ways that reflect their lifestyles: on the move, socially embedded, and visually oriented. The challenge for storytellers is not whether storytelling still matters, but how quickly they can deliver compelling narratives—and whether those stories leave an impact once the scroll stops. In conclusion, short-form video has revolutionised storytelling in the Gulf and beyond, matching our increasingly fast-paced and digitally connected lives. While it brings new opportunities for engagement and diversity of voices, it also demands responsibility and innovation. Embracing hybrid storytelling models and upholding journalistic integrity can ensure that the power of storytelling continues to thrive amid the rapid currents of digital change.
Hype Malaysia
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hype Malaysia
New & Improved Tune Talk App Lets You Stream & Game All In One Place!
They're singing your tune, gaming and streaming fans! Tune Talk has launched Games and Drama in the Tune Talk App, making them the first-ever in-app streaming and gaming features to be introduced by a telco in Malaysia. Seamlessly integrated into the Tune Talk app, this new entertainment hub allows users to watch dramas, play games, and earn rewards in one place, with no additional downloads or third-party logins required. This launch marks more than just a feature update – it represents a bold business transformation that positions Tune Talk as a disruptive force in Malaysia's RM42 billion telecommunications industry. As the only fully cloud-native telco in Southeast Asia, Tune Talk is redefining the way mobile networks operate, delivering services that are not only agile and scalable but also deeply tuned to how people live, work, and play. According to the Digital 2025: Malaysia report by DataReportal, 97.7% of Malaysians are internet users, and there are over 43.3 million cellular mobile connections in the country – equivalent to 121% of the total population as of early 2025. The Malaysian telecom market itself is projected to grow from US$9.07 billion in 2024 to US$11.54 billion by 2030, driven by digital lifestyle demand, mobile-first behaviour, and low-latency entertainment consumption. 'This is just the beginning,' said Gurtaj Singh Padda, Co-founder, Executive Director and CEO of Tune Talk. 'We're not just enhancing connectivity – we're reimagining what users can do with it. With the launch of Games and Drama in the Tune Talk App, we're turning everyday digital engagement into a rich, rewarding experience. It also reflects our evolution into a truly fast, lean, cloud-native telco – an operating model built for the future.' This rollout is made possible through a strategic collaboration with Jolibox, a leading cloud entertainment platform and Tune Talk's main content partner for both Games and Drama in the Tune Talk App. Jolibox's expertise in embedded content streaming and gamification has enabled seamless, scalable delivery of entertainment within the app – strengthening Tune Talk's commitment to frictionless digital experiences. Telco Meets Entertainment Available exclusively via the Tune Talk app, the Drama section features a curated library of streaming content, while the Games selection offers casual, instant-play games that require no downloads. Every interaction earns users Tune Points, which can be redeemed for content unlocks, ad-free streaming, or exclusive perks – placing real value at users' fingertips, powered behind the scenes by Jolibox's embedded entertainment infrastructure. Shawn Lim, Head of Marketing at Tune Talk, added: 'Today's users want more than just data – they want effortless, meaningful engagement. With this all-in-one entertainment hub, we've made telco simpler, smarter, and a lot more fun. And this is just the beginning of what our cloud-native platform can deliver.' By running fully in the cloud, Tune Talk eliminates legacy limitations and gains the ability to deploy new features rapidly, automate user personalisation via AI, and reduce operational costs – benefits that few traditional telcos can replicate. The company's approach aligns closely with the goals of JENDELA and MyDIGITAL, Malaysia's national initiatives aimed at driving infrastructure modernisation, rural inclusion, and economic digitisation. 'This launch is more than entertainment – it's proof that a telco can lead in user experience, not just network coverage,' added Gurtaj. 'And we're proud to be setting a new benchmark not only for Malaysia but for the region.' Jolibox – Powering The Entertainment Core This game-changing in-app experience is made possible through a close partnership with Jolibox, a leading cloud entertainment platform that specialises in seamless content delivery and gamification. As Tune Talk's main partner for both Games and Drama, Jolibox brings its technology and content expertise to power a truly integrated entertainment ecosystem. 'We are thrilled to collaborate with Tune Talk to bring this innovative experience to life,' said Jiayuan Mao, Director, Global Partnership at Jolibox. 'At Jolibox, our mission is to redefine how people access and enjoy digital entertainment. By embedding our platform directly within the Tune Talk App, we're breaking down barriers and making it easier than ever for Malaysians to watch, play, and be rewarded – all in one place.' This initiative reflects Tune Talk's long-term vision to become a lifestyle-first telco, leveraging cloud technology to deliver real value to modern users. Whether streaming or gaming, users can now unlock more by doing what they already love, all at their fingertips. For more information, visit or follow @TuneTalk on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
Shafaq News
13-04-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Top 3 in Arab world: Iraq's YouTube user count revealed
Shafaq News/ Iraq has emerged among the top three Arab countries in terms of YouTube users in 2025, according to the research and analytics firm DataReportal. Official data shows that YouTube had 22.3 million users in Iraq, placing the country behind only Egypt (50.7 million) and Saudi Arabia (27.3 million). Morocco ranked fourth with 21.1 million users, followed by Algeria with 21 million. The United Arab Emirates recorded 8.95 million users, securing sixth place, followed by Tunisia with 7 million, Jordan with 6.45 million, Kuwait with 3.9 million, and Oman with 3.29 million. Iraq: Rapid Growth, Rising Concerns Social media use in Iraq has surged in 2024, with the number of users reaching 34.3 million, approximately 73.8% of the population, according to a 2025 report by the Digital Media Center (DMC). However, this rapid expansion has been accompanied by a widening government crackdown on online content. Authorities have stepped up surveillance of social media, targeting what they describe as 'indecent' or 'immoral' material, raising concerns among digital rights advocates about restrictions on free expression.
Zawya
04-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Jordan: Internet, social media usage surges in 2025
AMMAN: The Information and Communications Technology Association of Jordan (Int@j) on Monday reported a "significant" growth in internet and social media usage in the Kingdom since the start of 2025. The number of Internet users in Jordan reached 10.7 million, representing a penetration rate of 92.5 per cent of the total population, Int@j said, citing the annual DataReportal report. Social media users increased to 6.45 million, accounting for 55.7 per cent of the population, with an annual growth of 70,000 users at a rate of 1.1 per cent, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. YouTube remained the most popular platform with 6.45 million users, reflecting a 1.1 per cent increase of 70,000 users. Facebook followed with 5.45 million users, growing by 150,000 users (2.8 per cent) and reaching a penetration rate of 47.1 per cent, Int@j said. Instagram saw a "notable" rise, reaching 4.05 million users with a 9.5 per cent growth rate and an increase of 350,000 users. Snapchat users rose to 4.1 million, registering an 18.4 per cent growth with 635,000 new users, the figures showed. TikTok experienced a decline, losing 376,000 users (14.1 per cent) to settle at 2.3 million. Messenger users also dropped by 2.6 per cent to 3.8 million, while X (formerly Twitter) saw a 16 per cent decline, reducing its user base to 919,000, the association added. LinkedIn recorded a "strong" performance, gaining 400,000 new users in 2024 to reach 2 million, marking a 25 per cent growth rate. The platform's penetration rate among adults stood at 27.2 per cent and 18.7 per cent among Internet users, the report said. Int@j stressed that this digital expansion highlights Jordan's growing adoption of modern technology, underscoring the need to enhance digital infrastructure and invest in digital transformation to support the national digital economy. © Copyright The Jordan Times. All rights reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
