Today: 1 July 2026

Internet Access in Kiribati: Bridging the Digital Divide Across Remote Pacific Islands

Internet Access in Kiribati: Bridging the Digital Divide Across Remote Pacific Islands

Kiribati is a remote Pacific nation of 33 atolls spread over 3.5 million km² of ocean​ Esa. This extreme geographic dispersion makes internet access both crucial for development and challenging to achieve. Improved connectivity is vital for Kiribati’s economic and social progress – enabling better education, healthcare, e-commerce, and communication services in an otherwise isolated setting​ Gov. Over the past decade, the country has made strides in expanding internet access, but significant gaps remain due to its unique insular environment. Internet access in Kiribati plays a pivotal role in overcoming the country’s isolation and driving development. As a small island developing state, Kiribati’s connectivity is a lifeline for education, healthcare, government services, and participation in the global economy​ Gov​ Gov. For instance, digital communication can connect remote outer island communities with teachers or doctors in the capital, improving quality of life. The government recognizes that affordable and reliable internet is essential to economic growth and social inclusion, especially for Kiribati’s far‑flung atolls​ Gov. However, delivering broad internet coverage across Kiribati’s widely scattered islands has been a persistent challenge, requiring innovative solutions and strong investment.
22 March 2025
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Internet Access in Somalia: Growth, Challenges, and the Future of Connectivity

Internet Access in Somalia: Growth, Challenges, and the Future of Connectivity

Somalia’s internet landscape has evolved rapidly from near-isolation to growing connectivity. In the past, decades of civil conflict and minimal infrastructure left Somalia largely offline. Today, internet access is increasingly recognized as vital for economic recovery, social development, and security. Mobile networks and new fiber-optic links now connect millions of Somalis to the digital world, enabling mobile money, e-learning, and e-government services. However, Somalia’s internet penetration remains relatively low and uneven, highlighting both the progress made and the challenges ahead​ pulse.internetsociety.org​ pulse.internetsociety.org. This report examines the current state of internet access in Somalia – including broadband, mobile, and satellite – and explores the key challenges, initiatives, and future prospects for connectivity in the country. Internet Penetration and Usage: As of early 2024, there were about 5.08 million internet users in Somalia, representing an internet penetration rate of 27.6% of the population​ datareportal.com​ datareportal.com. This marks a significant increase from only a few years ago. Despite this growth, roughly three-quarters of Somalis – over 13 million people – remain offline​ datareportal.com. Internet use is concentrated in urban areas, while connectivity in rural and remote regions is far more limited. The digital landscape is dominated by mobile internet access, as fixed broadband
20 March 2025
Internet Access in Niger: Broadband, Mobile, and Satellite Overview

Internet Access in Niger: Broadband, Mobile, and Satellite Overview

Internet access in Niger is increasingly recognized as vital for socio-economic development in one of the world’s poorest countries. Niger has a fast-growing population of over 26 million people, the majority of whom live in rural areas​ datareportal.com. However, internet usage remains very low by global standards – only around 17% of the population was online as of 2022​ pulse.internetsociety.org. This places Niger among the countries with the lowest internet penetration in Africa. The government has acknowledged the importance of digital connectivity for achieving development goals and is working on a long-term digital agenda to improve access for all citizens​ wearetech.africa​ wearetech.africa. In this context, it is crucial to examine Niger’s current internet landscape, the challenges it faces, and the initiatives underway to expand broadband, mobile, and satellite internet access. Internet Penetration and Usage: Internet usage in Niger, while growing, remains limited. As of early 2025, about 6.37 million individuals were using the internet – roughly 23.2% of the population​ datareportal.com. This marks an increase from January 2024 when roughly 4.7 million users were recorded​ connectingafrica.com, indicating gradual growth. For comparison, the average internet penetration across Africa is around 42%, underscoring Niger’s lag behind regional peers​ pulse.internetsociety.org​ pulse.internetsociety.org. Most internet
17 March 2025
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Internet Access in Australia: A Comprehensive Overview

Internet Access in Australia: A Comprehensive Overview

Australia’s internet landscape is shaped by a mix of modern broadband infrastructure, expansive mobile networks, and innovative satellite services. This report provides a detailed overview of internet access in Australia, covering fixed-line broadband, mobile connectivity, satellite internet options, the unique challenges of rural and remote access, pricing and affordability, government policies, and future developments. Each section below delves into one of these aspects, highlighting current capabilities, shortcomings, and ongoing initiatives. Australia’s fixed-line broadband is dominated by the National Broadband Network – a nationwide, wholesale open-access network that has replaced most of the country’s legacy DSL and cable systems. The NBN was a government-initiated project aimed at upgrading Australia’s internet infrastructure and achieving near-universal coverage. As of mid-2023, the NBN has made around 12.3 million premises “ready to connect”​ statista.com, and by early 2025 about 8.62 million homes and businesses were actively connected to NBN-based plans​ nbnco.com.au. This expansive rollout means the vast majority of Australians now have access to fixed broadband service, even in many regional areas that were previously underserved.
15 March 2025
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Egypt’s Internet Revolution: Fiber Frenzy, 5G Dreams, and a Satellite Showdown

Egypt’s Internet Revolution: Fiber Frenzy, 5G Dreams, and a Satellite Showdown

Egypt’s internet landscape is undergoing a rapid transformation. With over 100 million people and internet penetration above 70%, the country has seen surging demand for broadband and mobile data​ en.wikipedia.org. Major investments in fiber optics and mobile networks are boosting speeds to record highs – Egypt even boasted the fastest internet in Africa in 2022​ en.wikipedia.org. At the same time, stark urban-rural divides persist, and government policies heavily influence who gets online and how. This report dives into Egypt’s internet access services – from dominant ISPs and network coverage to pricing, regulations, and the future of 5G and satellite internet. Egypt’s fixed broadband market is dominated by a handful of providers. Telecom Egypt’s ISP arm, known as WE Data, leads by a wide margin – holding about 80% of the country’s internet subscriptions​ businesstodayegypt.com. WE Data is the incumbent provider, benefiting from Telecom Egypt’s nationwide infrastructure. The remaining fixed-line market is shared by ISPs affiliated with the other telecom operators: Orange, Vodafone, and Etisalat Egypt​ en.wikipedia.org​ en.wikipedia.org. These competitors each have single-digit to low-teens market shares, with Orange and Vodafone roughly in the 10–15% range. On the mobile side, Vodafone Egypt is the largest operator​ connectingafrica.com, followed by Orange Egypt
15 March 2025
UAE’s Internet Revolution: Blazing Speeds, Fiber Dominance & the Race to Satellite Connectivity

UAE’s Internet Revolution: Blazing Speeds, Fiber Dominance & the Race to Satellite Connectivity

The United Arab Emirates has transformed into one of the world’s most connected countries, boasting near-universal internet usage u.ae. Aggressive investments in telecommunications infrastructure – from extensive fiber optic networks to early 5G deployment – have yielded world-leading internet speeds. At the same time, the industry remains dominated by two government-linked providers, and authorities impose strict controls on content and services. This report examines the state of internet access in the UAE, covering major service providers, infrastructure coverage, network speeds and pricing, regulatory restrictions, the rise of fiber and 5G, the nascent role of satellite internet, efforts to bridge the digital divide, and future initiatives that are shaping the country’s digital landscape. UAE’s internet and telecom services are effectively a duopoly. The two major ISPs – Etisalat and du – account for virtually the entire market. As of mid-2024, Etisalat served about 12.9 million mobile subscribers, while du had around 8.2 millionsubscribers en.aletihad.ae. Both companies are majority government-owned and offer a full range of services: fixed broadband, mobile voice/data, and TV. There are a few MVNOs, but these operate on the networks of the two main providers budde.com.au budde.com.au. No third full-scale telecom operator exists, and the market is highly
12 March 2025
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Saudi Arabia’s High-Speed Internet Revolution: Fiber Booms, 5G Soars, and Satellites Race to Connect the Kingdom

Saudi Arabia’s High-Speed Internet Revolution: Fiber Booms, 5G Soars, and Satellites Race to Connect the Kingdom

Saudi Arabia has undergone a dramatic transformation in internet access over the past decade. High-speed broadband is now widespread in cities, and even remote deserts are coming online. This report examines the state of internet services in the Kingdom – from the dominance of major providers and cutting-edge fiber optics to the spread of 5G mobile networks and emerging satellite options. It also explores infrastructure gaps between urban and rural areas, compares speeds and pricing, reviews government regulations, and highlights initiatives aimed at bridging the digital divide. Finally, we consider future trends and government plans driving Saudi Arabia’s internet development in line with Vision 2030. Saudi Arabia’s internet service market is dominated by a few large telecom operators. Saudi Telecom Company is the clear leader, commanding the lion’s share of both mobile and broadband subscriptions. In fact, by the third quarter of 2022 stc accounted for about 67% of the telecom market​ oxfordbusinessgroup.com. In terms of subscriber numbers, estimates put stc at around 50–55% of mobile users, far ahead of its rivals. The next largest provider, Mobily, holds roughly 20–25% of the market, while Zain KSA has about 10–15%​ oxfordbusinessgroup.com. These three companies collectively serve the vast majority of Saudi
11 March 2025
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Internet Access in North Korea. How North Korea’s Secret Internet Works: Discover the Hidden World of Kwangmyong

Internet Access in North Korea. How North Korea’s Secret Internet Works: Discover the Hidden World of Kwangmyong

North Korea’s government maintains strict control over all internet usage, allowing access to the global Internet only for a small, elite group with special authorization businessinsider.com en.wikipedia.org. The vast majority of citizens are barred from the global web; instead, they are limited to a state-run domestic network. Even for the few permitted users, online activity is heavily monitored. All chats, emails, and web content are filtered and surveilled by the state on domestic networks businessinsider.com. Authorities also block foreign websites – for example, in 2016 North Korea began blocking Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and many South Korean sites to curb the spread of outside information en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org. Attempting to bypass these controls is extremely dangerous: those caught using unauthorized connections face harsh punishments blog.telegeography.com. In short, North Korea’s leadership tightly censors internet access as part of a broader information blockade, ensuring that citizens only see state-approved content. North Koreans do not have free access to the World Wide Web as known elsewhere. Instead, the government operates a closed domestic intranet called Kwangmyong that serves as an internal substitute for the global internet businessinsider.com. Kwangmyong is a nationwide network with its own websites, online services, email, and search engine, but it is
11 March 2025
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Internet Access in Japan: A Comprehensive Overview

Internet Access in Japan: A Comprehensive Overview

Japan’s internet market is served by a mix of former incumbents and new entrants, with a few major providers dominating subscriber share. The top ISPs for fixed internet access include both traditional telecom companies and cable operators. The leading providers are​ pulse.internetsociety.org: Dozens of smaller ISPs account for the remaining market, often by reselling or utilizing the infrastructure of the above giants. Overall, Japan’s internet service market is highly competitive, with the top five providers accounting for roughly two-thirds of subscriptions​ pulse.internetsociety.org. Market competition is considered “excellent,” giving consumers multiple choices in most areas​ pulse.internetsociety.org. Major mobile network operators also play a role in internet access, especially through mobile broadband and bundled home internet offerings. NTT Docomo leads the mobile segment with about 42% of mobile subscriptions as of 2022, followed by KDDI, SoftBank, and Rakuten​ content.twimbit.com, reflecting a long-standing dominance of the top three carriers even in the era of smartphones.
10 March 2025
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Internet Access Services in Kenya

Internet Access Services in Kenya

Kenya has one of Africa’s more advanced internet markets, but access remains uneven. As of early 2024, roughly 22.7 million Kenyans were using the internet​ datareportal.com. Mobile broadband is the primary mode of access, given high mobile phone penetration, while fixed broadband subscriptions are growing steadily. The government envisions a “digital economy” and has invested in ICT infrastructure, yet a significant digital divide persists between urban and rural regions​ businessdailyafrica.com. This report provides a detailed overview of Kenya’s internet services landscape – covering major providers, infrastructure and coverage, service speeds and pricing, regulatory environment, and ongoing developments in broadband, mobile, and satellite connectivity. Kenya’s internet service provider market includes both mobile network operators and fixed broadband companies. Safaricom, the leading mobile operator, also dominates in fixed internet with a 36.4% market share​ tuko.co.ke. Other major players in fixed broadband are Jamii Telecommunications Ltd – often known by its Faiba brand – with 24.0% share, and Wananchi Group at 17.5%​ tuko.co.ke. Emerging ISPs like Poa Internet have also gained traction by offering affordable wireless broadband, while smaller providers each hold only a few percent of the market​ tuko.co.ke. In total Kenya had about 1.33 million fixed data subscriptions by early 2024​
10 March 2025
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Internet Access Services in Kazakhstan

Internet Access Services in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan’s telecom market is dominated by a few large providers, led by the former state monopoly Kazakhtelecom. Kazakhtelecom accounts for roughly 60% of the telecom market by revenue​ ar2023.telecom.kz. It owns major stakes in mobile operators Kcell and Tele2/Altel, consolidating much of the market under its group. The chief competitor is Kar-Tel/Beeline Kazakhstan, which has about 28% market share by revenue​ ar2023.telecom.kz and is a leading mobile and broadband provider. Other ISPs include Transtelecom, KazTransCom, Astel, and a multitude of smaller operators, but together they hold a relatively small portion of the market. In terms of internet traffic share by autonomous networks, Kazakhtelecom is the largest, followed by the Beeline network, Tele2 Kazakhstan, and then Kcell​ pulse.internetsociety.org. This reflects an effective duopoly in the consumer market, with Kazakhtelecom and Beeline’s networks serving the vast majority of users. Competition has increased since market liberalization in the 2000s, but Kazakhtelecom still maintains dominance especially in fixed-line and broadband services​ en.wikipedia.org. Mobile services are slightly more competitive, split primarily between Kazakhtelecom’s subsidiaries and Beeline, with new smaller entrants just beginning to emerge​ budde.com.au. Kazakhstan has invested heavily in telecommunications infrastructure, achieving broad coverage across its expansive territory. Major cities and towns are well-connected
10 March 2025
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Internet Access in Nigeria: A Comprehensive Overview

Internet Access in Nigeria: A Comprehensive Overview

Nigeria’s internet infrastructure relies on a combination of undersea fiber-optic cables, terrestrial networks, and a handful of dominant service providers. Multiple international submarine cables land in Nigeria, connecting it to global internet hubs. Key cables include: These undersea cables terminate in Lagos and other coastal landing stations, feeding into national fiber backbones. A number of companies have deployed fiber-optic networks crisscrossing the country, including Phase3 Telecom, MainOne, Globacom, Suburban Telecom, and MTN​ Ecoi. Internet exchange points in at least five regions help route domestic traffic locally​ Ecoi, improving speed and reducing costs.
3 March 2025
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Internet Access in Sudan

Internet Access in Sudan

Sudan’s internet infrastructure relies on a national fiber-optic backbone and international gateways centered at Port Sudan. The country is connected to several submarine cables, including the East Africa Submarine System and FLAG/FALCON networks, which land at the Red Sea coast​ en.wikipedia.org. Terrestrial fiber links extend to neighboring countries to route traffic regionally. However, fixed-line broadband infrastructure is limited and much of the population accesses the internet via wireless networks. Sudan maintains satellite earth stations for international connectivity as well​ en.wikipedia.org, but satellite links historically served mainly as backups or for remote areas. Major service providers: Sudan’s telecom market is served by a handful of operators:
25 February 2025
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Internet Access in Yemen: Overview and Key Aspects

Internet Access in Yemen: Overview and Key Aspects

Yemen’s internet infrastructure is limited and highly centralized. The backbone relies on a few aging international connections and an outdated domestic network. A single subsea cable – the FALCON/FLAG system landing at the Red Sea port of Hodeidah – carries most of Yemen’s bandwidth​ ukraine.wilsoncenter.org​ washingtoninstitute.org. In fact, almost all connectivity comes through this one aging cable, with only a narrow backup link via Djibouti and some expensive satellite links​ washingtoninstitute.org. During the civil war, land fiber links to Saudi Arabia were destroyed, leaving the country largely dependent on undersea cables​ washingtoninstitute.org. Internal infrastructure consists of microwave relays and limited fiber, with fixed-line broadband largely delivered via old DSL over copper telephone lines​ smex.org. This network has not seen significant upgrades during the conflict, resulting in very low bandwidth and reliability​ smex.org. Major service providers in Yemen include:
24 February 2025
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Internet Access in Iraq

Internet Access in Iraq

Iraq’s internet infrastructure has expanded significantly since the early 2000s, though much of the core network remains under government ownership. The Ministry of Communications controls the national fiber-optic backbone and international gateways, leasing bandwidth to private ISPs​ trade.gov. Iraq is connected via terrestrial fiber links to all six neighboring countries and to undersea cables like Gulf Bridge International, but overall capacity is still catching up to demand​ trade.gov. The state fixed-line network is in poor condition, with limited fiber-to-the-home projects concentrated in Baghdad​ trade.gov. As a result, most Iraqis access the internet through wireless means – either mobile networks, Wi-Fi at internet cafes, or local neighborhood Wi-Fi providers – since last-mile fixed broadband is not widely available​ trade.gov. These community-based networks share bandwidth leading to relatively low speeds per user​ trade.gov. Major Service Providers: The market has diversified from the days when Uruklink was the sole provider. Today dozens of ISPs operate, often reselling capacity from the MoC backbone​ en.wikipedia.org. Earthlink Telecommunications is the largest and fastest-growing ISP, offering nationwide services including fiber and wireless broadband​ kapita.iq. Other notable private ISPs include ScopeSky, IQ Networks, Newroz Telecom, and regional providers in the Kurdistan Region, which often use wireless and VSAT
24 February 2025
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Internet Access in Afghanistan: A Comprehensive Overview

Internet Access in Afghanistan: A Comprehensive Overview

Afghanistan’s internet infrastructure is relatively underdeveloped, relying heavily on mobile networks and limited fixed broadband. After 2001, the country had to build its telecom network from scratch, as the previous Taliban regime had effectively banned the internet​ Wired. In the two decades that followed, mobile telecommunications saw rapid growth – rising from zero subscribers in 2001 to nearly a 100% mobile subscription penetration by 2021​ Businesswire. A nationwide fiber-optic backbone was being rolled out and even a 400 km cross-border fiber link to China was near completion in 2021​ Businesswire. However, the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021 stalled or halted many of these projects​ Businesswire​ Businesswire, casting uncertainty on the finalization of the fiber network. Major service providers in Afghanistan include a mix of state-run and private mobile operators that also serve as the primary ISPs. The key players are:
24 February 2025
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Internet Access in Ukraine: Overview

Internet Access in Ukraine: Overview

Ukraine has a well-developed internet infrastructure with extensive fiber-optic networks and numerous providers. Thousands of Internet Service Providers operate in Ukraine, from national telecoms to small local companies. In fact, over 4,200 ISPs were registered as of August 2024​ interfax.com, reflecting a highly competitive market. The largest providers hold relatively small market shares – for example, Kyivstar’s network leads with about 19% of the market, followed by Vodafone Ukraine with ~9% and Lifecell with ~5%​ pulse.internetsociety.org. The state-run Ukrtelecom and various regional fiber operators also serve significant user bases, but no single company dominates nationally​ pulse.internetsociety.org. This diverse provider landscape has kept internet access competitive and affordable for consumers, with the Internet Society rating Ukraine’s ISP market competitiveness as “excellent”​ pulse.internetsociety.org. Ukraine’s backbone internet infrastructure is robust. Dozens of data centers and Internet Exchange Points support domestic connectivity​ pulse.internetsociety.org. Key cities host IXPs that route traffic locally, and about 63% of popular content is cached within Ukraine – above the European average​ pulse.internetsociety.org. This means users can reach most websites via local servers, improving speed and resilience. International fiber-optic links connect Ukraine to the global internet through neighboring European countries, ensuring multiple routes for traffic. Overall, high-capacity fiber broadband is
24 February 2025
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Internet Access in Mozambique

Internet Access in Mozambique

Mozambique’s internet infrastructure is still developing and heavily reliant on mobile networks. Fixed-line broadband penetration is minimal, with the state-owned Telecomunicações de Moçambique being the only operator offering integrated fixed-line services​ trade.gov. The country is primarily served by three mobile network providers: International connectivity has improved significantly over the past decade. Mozambique is connected to multiple submarine fiber-optic cables, including the SEACOM and EASSy cables that landed in 2009–2010​ wikiwand.com. In 2023, the new 2Africa subsea cable landed in Maputo and Nacala, further boosting bandwidth and redundancy​ trade.gov. This expansion of undersea cables has reduced reliance on older satellite gateways and neighboring countries for international transit​ wikiwand.com. Mozambique also operates an Internet Exchange Point to keep local traffic domestic​ wikiwand.com.
23 February 2025
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Internet Access in Libya: A Comprehensive Overview

Internet Access in Libya: A Comprehensive Overview

Libya’s internet infrastructure is recovering and evolving after years of conflict. Under Muammar Gaddafi’s regime, the telecom sector was entirely state-controlled and private competition was virtually nonexistent​ mondaq.com. The primary telecommunications holding is the Libyan Post, Telecommunication and Information Technology Company, which oversees key state-owned providers​ libyareview.com. Major service providers include: Libya’s international bandwidth comes through a mix of submarine cables and satellite links. The country is connected to Europe and regional networks via undersea fiber – for example, an older cable to Italy and the newly operational Silphium cable to Greece​ submarinecablemap.com. In 2023, Libya also signed on to the upcoming Medusa pan-Mediterranean cable, which will land in Tripoli and Benghazi by 2025, boosting international capacity and redundancy​ datacenterdynamics.com​ datacenterdynamics.com. These developments aim to improve a network that, despite damage from war, remained “one of the more robust in the region” by the mid-2010s​ mondaq.com. Overall, Libya’s core internet infrastructure is state-dominated but is gradually diversifying, with new investments in fiber and satellite backbones to reconnect and upgrade the country after the disruptions of civil conflict.
16 February 2025
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Internet Access in China

Internet Access in China

China’s internet landscape is characterized by massive scale, state-controlled infrastructure, and strict governance. With over a billion users online, China hosts the world’s largest internet community, but this access comes with significant restrictions and a parallel digital ecosystem separate from the global internet. Below is an overview of key aspects of internet access in China, from infrastructure and service providers to censorship policies and emerging trends. China has built an extensive internet infrastructure, largely through state-run enterprises. Major Internet Service Providers in China include:
10 February 2025
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Stock Market Today

  • 5 P&C Insurers Seen Growing as Sector Shifts Toward Digital, Gains Exposure
    July 1, 2026, 3:13 PM EDT. Property and Casualty (P&C) insurers are facing softer pricing, but prudent underwriting, exposure growth, and more digitalization are helping the industry. The Hanover Insurance Group, Essent Group, Mercury General, Selective Insurance Group, and Skyward Specialty are among names set for growth. Tariff issues, inflation, and a still-busy catastrophe market are weighing, but may push renewal rates. The Fed's steady interest rates and possible future cuts, plus investment portfolios focused on fixed-income maturity, are keeping investment income strong. Fitch Ratings notes a steadier personal auto insurance market, with better surplus and economic activity improving dealmaking conditions. Adaptation to new technology and more insurtech are driving operational gains in the sector.
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