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Category: Telecom

Retail News Asia is committed to providing both local and global retailers with the latest Telecom & Telco news throughout the Asian market. This on a daily base.

  • GSMA halts development of eSIM standard

    GSMA halts development of eSIM standard

    The GSMA has confirmed it has put development of a universal standard for eSIMs on hold pending the outcome of an investigation by the US Department of Justice.

    The eSIM standard would contain a range of features, including an option for the eSIM to be locked to a specific carrier.

    But the Department of Justice has now opened an antitrust investigation into the GMSA, as well as US operators AT&T and Verizon which are helping lead the development of the standard.

    The report, which cites six unnamed sources, states that the department is investigating allegations that AT&T, Verizon and the GSMA have been colluding to prevent customers from easily switching to another provider by allowing them to lock a device to their network.

    The investigation was reportedly opened in response to complaints from at least one device maker – Apple – and one rival wireless operator, the report adds.

    In a statement, the GSMA said that the development of the latest version of the eSIM specification is on hold pending the completion of the investigation, and that it is cooperating fully with the department.

    The industry body also noted that under the proposed standard, in the US, consumers would have to explicitly consent to being locked to a provider when signing up to specific contracts, such as when purchasing a subsidized device.

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  • Open source movement to disrupt NFV and SDN marketplace

    Open source movement to disrupt NFV and SDN marketplace

    Software-defined networking (SDN) and network functions virtualization (NFV) are predicted to enable businesses that use these technologies to gain greater flexibility in backhaul infrastructure.

    Cost savings is the primary driver for accelerated NFV and SDN adoption, but these benefits will be realized gradually.

    According to Technology Business Research’s 1Q18 NFV/SDN Telecom Market Landscape report, open-source groups will spur NFV and SDN adoption by establishing industry standards that foster interoperability among a broader range of solution providers.

    “The ability to reduce capex will initially be the largest cost benefit realized by adopters of NFV and SDN as software-mediated technologies enable operators to significantly reduce spend on proprietary hardware,” said TBR telecom senior analyst Michael Soper. “Reducing opex will be a longer process as most operators will maintain both legacy and virtualized environments until they are ready to migrate fully to virtualized infrastructure.”

    As operators pursue cost reduction through NFV and SDN, incumbent vendors face numerous threats to their business models and disruption on multiple technology fronts. Industry trends are moving against the vendor community, with incumbent vendors, particularly hardware-centric vendors, poised to struggle the most.

    Operators globally are focused on significantly reducing the cost of network operations and capex, underscored by a desire to disaggregate the black box and commoditize the hardware layer. White-box-based universal customer premises equipment is the leading application of industry-standard hardware thus far, but operators are targeting additional domains, including the core and edge network.

    Operators are also facilitating NFV and SDN adoption by targeting new hires with relevant skill sets, retraining existing employees and launching internal startups to quickly improve their resource pools.

  • Vocus Group scraps plans to sell NZ business

    Vocus Group scraps plans to sell NZ business

    Australian enterprise-focused fixed line operator Vocus Group has abandoned plans to sell its New Zealand business, ending negotiations with all interested parties.

    In a statement, Vocus Group said none of the multiple offers it had received for the New Zealand business appropriately reflected the strategic value of the operation.

    The offers also did not provide the required certainty of funding and execution, according to Vocus Group chairman Bob Mansfield.

    As a result, Vocus Group now plans to “continue to invest in and grow Vocus NZ to enable that business to realise its strategic potential for shareholders.”

    Vocus Group first revealed it was seeking a buyer for its New Zealand operations in October 2017, and had originally planned to complete the sale by June this year.

    The company meanwhile announced that it is in the process of finalizing the appointment of several banks to arrange a full refinancing of its existing debt facilities, which will include an upsizing of the facilities. Vocus expects to complete its debt refinancing by the end of June.

    “The board would like to thank our bank group for their strong support shown to date,” Mansfield said.

    “We are comfortable that the increased financial capacity and covenants that will be sought through the refinancing will provide sufficient financial flexibility for the company to complete its strategic and transformation initiatives over the next few years.”

  • Carriers take M&A route to woo enterprise cloud business

    Carriers take M&A route to woo enterprise cloud business

    Revenue growth for carriers will be of critical importance in 2018, according to Craig Wigginton, global telecommunications sector leader for Deloitte.

    “Revenue yield on data services (revenue per bit consumed) continues to decline as consumers use more and more data, with static or declining monthly bills. Hence it is critical to identify rapid investment opportunities across the telecom portfolio—including 5G, IoT, and cross-industry partnerships (such as mHealth and mPayments), as well as a host of other growth opportunities,” Wigginton said.

    One avenue that many operators are pursuing with interest is enterprise cloud. Given that enterprises are a demanding lot,  operators are ramping up on infrastructure to support demand for cloud services.

    The Technology Business Research (TBR) 4Q17 Carrier Cloud Benchmark revealed a 15.7% year-to-year growth in 4Q17 is largely due to strategic acquisitions and alliances, investments in new data centers, and portfolio expansion in growth segments such as SaaS and hybrid cloud.

    Cloud revenue growth is being limited, however, due to pricing pressures and growing demand for solutions from webscale cloud providers such as Amazon Web Services (AWS). Carriers are cognizant of these trends and are becoming more focused on supporting hybrid and multi-cloud environments by launching new orchestration platforms.

     

    “All benchmarked companies sustained year-to-year Cloud as a Service revenue growth in 4Q17 as significant opportunity remains for carriers to target businesses seeking greater cost savings, scalability and efficiency by migrating traditional infrastructure and applications to the cloud,” said Steve Vachon, an analyst in TBR’s Telecom Practice.

    “Though cloud revenue growth is being limited by pricing pressures from webscale providers, carriers are relying on the value proposition and convenience offered by the bundling of their cloud solutions with other network offerings, such as SD-WAN, security and mobility services, to attract customers.”

    Operators are revamping their go-to-market strategies to counter disruption from webscale providers such as AWS, Google and Microsoft. Competition will intensify over the next several years as webscales seek to play a larger role within the European and Asian cloud markets by investing in additional data centers in those regions.

    Amid demand for solutions from webscales in the cloud market, most carriers are offering access to these companies to complement their existing cloud portfolios and to support hybrid and multi-cloud environments. Carriers are also integrating webscale cloud platforms to enhance adjacent portfolio segments such as Internet of Things and unified communications.

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  • Taiwan price war could impede 5G development

    Taiwan price war could impede 5G development

    An ongoing price war in the Taiwanese mobile industry could hamper the development of 5G in the market, regulator NCC has warned.

    The regulator has asserted that operators merely competing to lure each other’s subscribers rather than developing innovative business models would not be positive for the development of 5G in Taiwan.

    The NCC’s comments come in the wake of Chunghwa Telecom’s introduction of a TW$499 ($16.85) per month unlimited 4G mobile data and phone call plan, and the subsequent introduction of plans at the same price by rivals Taiwan Mobile, Far EasTone and APT.

    While the NCC insisted that it respects the free market, a race to the bottom n price does not make the admissible market bigger and will not sustain operators through to the commercial launch of 5G services.

    Offering unlimited data and call services at unreasonably low prices will hurt operators’ development in the long term, the regulator added. Operators are already grappling with declining revenue as a result of the price war, coupled with the continued decline in voice revenues.

    The report adds that the NCC does not believe that Taiwan’s operators will be able to follow the models their overseas counterparts have been pursuing to sustain growth – such as expanding overseas or diversifying into original media content – due to Taiwanese operators’ relatively small size and regulatory restrictions.

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  • SLT expects fiber investments to boost broadband growth

    SLT expects fiber investments to boost broadband growth

    Sri Lanka Telecom expects its heavy investments in its fiber network to start paying off, with broadband revenues dominating the company’s balance sheet over the next three years.

    The operator has invested over 70 billion rupees ($446.25 million) to expand its fiber network over the past two years, and connected its 2 millionth household to the network in late 2017.

    Broadband and data services meanwhile accounted for nearly 60% of SLT’s total revenue of 44.5 billion rupees for 2017, up from 38% in 2012.

    The company also has also connected 315 government premises to its fiber network and plans to connect 545 more by the end of this year.

    But SLT noted that margins from data are decreasing even as infrastructure capex grows, and revenue from international voice and other traditional services is on the decline due to the threat from OTT players.

    The company said fiber adoption will also boost third party OTT service consumption, which may further threaten traditional revenue sources but will also contribute to a better return on investment on its fiber network.

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  • Innovation for a smarter world: ITU Telecom World 2018

    Innovation for a smarter world: ITU Telecom World 2018

    Creativity and innovation have driven human development throughout the course of history.  From agriculture to industry to the information age, revolutionary innovations in technology have marked major leaps forward in the development of our societies. As the pace of technological innovation increases, the gaps between those revolutions reduce, so that today, just ten years after the arrival of the smart phone, we are already on the cusp of the next major leap: the smart revolution.

    Two aspects of the smart revolution stand out as significantly different. It provides the possibility for less developed markets and nations to leapfrog in developmental terms, not just to leap forward. And the creativity and innovation driving it will not only be human.

    Artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the great enablers of smart society. AI is a blend of advanced analytical and machine learning applications which can perform processes or actions that would traditionally require human intelligence – and at an often greatly accelerated pace.

    The use cases and benefits of AI are multiple, varied – and developing rapidly, with tremendous potential to serve purposes and provide solutions to problems we are not yet aware of, in ways we cannot yet imagine.

    One key aspect is AI’s ability to swiftly and effectively analyse the ever-increasing wealth of sensor data available as the growing power and falling costs of computing provides for much faster and richer data analysis. Practical outcomes include identifying and treating disease, accelerating financial and machine to machine transactions, enhancing public safety, and improving city services, from provision of utilities to driverless public transport and city management. The aim is to save energy, time and lives through AI-enabled smart solutions.

    AI will not be working alone, however. The data it feeds from is set to grow exponentially in volume as the Internet of Things continues to connect billions of sensors and devices to each other, to the internet and to humans. As the IoT develops and refines, it opens the door to innovation across all vertical sectors, including health, media, transport and energy – and manufacturing, as the paradox of personalized mass production increasingly becomes a reality.

    Innovation needs new tools to thrive, and 5G software-defined networks promise a rich playing field for creative minds. The exponential increases in bandwidth, speed, reliability and flexibility offered by 5G will create a powerful critical infrastructure capable of providing solutions to the economic, social and environmental needs of an expanding and increasingly urbanised global population.

    Our smarter world will be enabled by these three key technological developments, in parallel and in overlap: AI, IoT and 5G. Three acronyms driving innovation, with the potential to drive human development at a greater speed and with greater impact than ever before. In developing markets and nations in particular, smart can power the leapfrog effect, bypassing earlier stages of development, taking villages in Asia or Africa straight from no connectivity to 3G or 4G networks, from no access to education or health to world-class professionals available online, providing entry to the knowledge economy for the millions of digitally disenfranchised.

    But for innovation to flourish, it needs to work in a supportive and positive environment. And for innovation to be fair, it – and the services, applications and products it ultimately produces – must be open to all.

    Providing modern and fit-for-purpose regulatory frameworks as far as possible throughout the world of tech is critical to the success of smart innovation. Taking ideas to scale and maximising impact can only happen with international standardization. Privacy, security, trust and reliability are all huge issues when discussing or dealing with data as the life blood of innovative products and services. And the debate on ethical and regulatory frameworks for AI has only just begun.

    Making a smarter world for all, not just for the elite minority, is an even greater, multi-faceted challenge. It starts, of course, with connectivity for all as a basic human right. Just providing access to the internet and the benefits of the services, applications and knowledge it offers, is not enough, however – even if this can be done at affordable prices, with available devices. There is an urgent need to create awareness of, and demand for, the internet; to provide apps and services in local languages, with local contexts and the needs of local communities at the forefront; and to train, educate and develop the skills to use the internet and bring whole new populations and generations online, releasing untapped human potential for innovation across the world.

    Exploring the innovations in technology, policy, and strategy that are driving a smarter world – and the challenges we face in getting there – is at the heart of ITU Telecom World 2018. The leading tech event for governments, large businesses and SMEs, it is organized each year by ITU, the UN’s key agency for ICT matters. This year’s event will be held at the Durban International Conference Centre, Durban, South Africa, from 10 – 13 September, 2018.

    The event features an international exhibition of tech solutions and projects, a world-class forum of interactive, expert-led debates, a networking programme connecting organizations, individuals and ideas, and an acclaimed Awards programme recognising innovative ICT-based solutions with real social impact.

    As an important regional commercial hub with a diverse, multicultural outlook and a dynamic, growing economy, Durban offers an invaluable perspective as a venue for experts and leaders from public and private sectors around the world.  And given ITU’s key role in allocating spectrum and establishing international consensus on industry standards, as well as supporting the critical role of ICTs and smart technologies in meeting the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, the event is certain to provide informed, interesting and valuable input on the power of innovation to drive a smarter world.

    ITU’s authority and expertise enable it to convene a unique and influential global audience. Heads of state and government will come together with ministers, regulators, leading industry CEOs from major players and SMEs, organizations, associations and consultants. As a UN event, it delivers a truly international perspective on innovation in technology, policy and regulation from emerging and developed markets from all around the world.

    Visit telecomworld.itu.int to find out more ITU Telecom World 2018 and how to take part in Durban this September.

     

     

     

  • SoftBank to phase out PHS services

    SoftBank to phase out PHS services

    Japan’s SoftBank has revealed plans to stop providing personal handphone services (PHS) for general users from mid-2020.

    SoftBank stopped accepting new contracts for individual PHS services in March and will phase out existing services for general users from July 2020.

    SoftBank is the only operator in Japan to still be providing services based on the Japanese-developed PHS standard.

    The company has been selling PHS handsets using its Ymobile budget brand.

    SoftBank will also stop providing new PHS contracts for inter-device communications, such as for vending machines and marking units, from March next year, but will continue services for existing users.

    The PHS standard was originally developed by NTT Laboratory in 1989, and services first launched in Japan in 1995.

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  • 5G devices to save smartphone makers

    5G devices to save smartphone makers

    Global demand for smartphones will continue to be slow until 2022 when 2.02 billion phones are forecasts to be sold. The telecom industry is banking on 5G devices to reignite sales, but momentum will only begin from 2021. CCS Insight expects over 600 million 5G-enabled mobile phones will be sold in 2022.

    With new smartphones offering little more than an incremental update on previous models, the research firm fears that demand is unlikely to grow significantly for the next few years. Marina Koytcheva, CSS Insight VP adds, “Consumers in mature markets have been underwhelmed by the latest crop of flagship smartphones. Price hikes for top-end devices, with some of the latest and greatest devices hitting $1,000, have certainly not helped, and it’s little surprise more customers have decided they might as well stick with the device they already own.”

    Koytcheva notes that it’s not all doom and gloom [US and European markets]: “Although mature markets are suffering, there’s still growth potential in Africa, the emerging markets of Asia-Pacific, and India.

    CCS Insight believes the balance between developed and emerging markets will remain relatively stable, resulting in the global market for mobile phones edging up very slightly over the next five years, eventually delivering sales of more than 2 billion units in 2022.

    CCS Insight also believes that manufacturers are increasingly looking to 5G technology to reignite growth in mature markets. “The arrival of 5G handsets offers a glimmer of hope for embattled smartphone makers. They’re betting that this new, faster technology will give consumers a reason to upgrade their phones,” Koytcheva comments.

    She cautions, however, that phone-makers will have to be patient as they wait for this next wave of upgrade activity. “Although we expect the first 5G smartphones will hit the market in 2019, really significant demand won’t start until 2021, eventually having a positive impact in 2022, when we expect over 600 million 5G phones will be sold, accounting for 31% of the global market.”

    CCS Insight also notes that while advanced markets are focused on the transition to 5G, consumers in emerging markets are taking up smartphones more slowly than previously expected. Koytcheva comments, “The rising cost of components for entry-level smartphones and the arrival of affordable feature phones that support 4G networks mean that many people who otherwise might have bought their first smartphone are sticking with a feature phone for now”.

    CCS Insight’s research indicates that the trend is most prominent in India, but is also evident in other emerging markets. As a result, the research company believes smartphones will account for less than half of all mobile phones sold in India, emerging markets in Asia-Pacific and Africa in 2018.

    Koytcheva is optimistic: “Although the next couple of years are going to be tough, we’re certain that the shift to smartphones in emerging markets hasn’t evaporated — it’s merely been delayed. This year worldwide sales of smartphones will top 1.8 billion units by 2022.”

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  • StarHub ends HFC rollout

    StarHub ends HFC rollout

    Singapore’s StarHub has announced that it will cease further rollout of its hybrid fiber coaxial (HFC) network to new residential and commercial buildings in the city state starting from next month.

    In a statement, StarHub said it will deliver its broadband, pay TV and fixed voice services over the Nationwide Broadband Network (NBN) or via its own fiber infrastructure for customers moving into new buildings that obtain “Temporary Occupation Permit” status after April 30.

    StarHub had 458,000 pay TV and 467,000 broadband customers by the end of 2017.

    Chong Siew Loong, chief technology officer at StarHub, said the telco has been steadily expanding its own fiber infrastructure in the past few years and “a significant number” of its customers already moved to fiber networks.

    “StarHub’s own fiber optic network today connects key commercial developments directly, providing companies with diversity in broadband internet access,” Chong said. “Where it is economically viable, we will expand our fiber optic network to connect more commercial buildings to serve customers.”

    Chong said StarHub will continue to help the rest [of its customers] to get their homes and offices onto fiber, adding that the company is currently reviewing its options for the existing HFC infrastructure and will inform them in due course.

    Offering Google Home with bundled plans

    Separately, StarHub has introduced new plans bundling its fixed voice, pay TV and broadband services with Google Home and Home Mini. The launch comes as StarHub said it has become Google’s exclusive telco retail partner for Google Home in Singapore.

    Starting from April 20, StarHub said, the Home Mini will be available free for customers who sign up for its new hubbing plan, dubbed HomeHub Plus, for S$68.8 ($52.20) each month. The  plan bundles four services including 1Gbps fiber home broadband, up to 77 channels on fiber TV, home phone line and mobile broadband.

    HomeHub Plus customers can choose to upgrade to the larger Google Home for S$120, StarHub said, adding that they can buy Wemo Switch smart plug at S$59 each to “augment the smart home experience”. With hands-free help from the Google Assistant, these plugs can be used to control lights and home appliances using simple voice commands.

    StarHub is also selling the Google voice-enabled speakers at a discount for existing or new customers who sign up for StarHub’s mobile, pay TV or broadband service.

    The operator will also give out a free Google Home for enterprise customers who subscribe to StarHub’s 1Gbps or 500Mbps business broadband plans starting May 1.

    The announcements came on the same day that StarHub appointed Peter Kaliaropoulos as its next chief executive officer.

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  • ZTE calls US export ban “unacceptable”

    ZTE calls US export ban “unacceptable”

    ZTE has objected to the imposition of a seven-year ban on importing any US components as part of the ongoing fallout over allegations that the company violated US sanctions by selling equipment with US components to Iran and North Korea.

    In a statement, ZTE said it is “unacceptable” that the US Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security has imposed the most severe penalty on the company even before the completion of the investigation of facts.

    The Department of Commerce last week activated a seven year prohibition on US companies exporting products to ZTE.

    The prohibition had been imposed in March last year, when ZTE agreed to pay $892.3 million to settle the US investigation into the sanctions case. The ban, as well as a $300 million additional penalty, were suspended for a seven-year period as long as ZTE complied with the requirements of the settlement agreement.

    But the Department of Commerce has now imposed this ban after accusing ZTE of making false statements during settlement negotiations and the probationary period relating to disciplinary actions the vendor claimed it was taking on senior employees embroiled in the sanctions case.

    The action has been taken on the grounds that ZTE did not reduce bonuses offered to the employees or issue them letters of reprimand in a timely manner.

    But the company said this ignores the disciplinary action that has been taken and the fact that the company has engaged a prestigious US law firm to conduct an independent investigations.

    “The Denial Order will not only severely impact the survival and development of ZTE, but will also cause damages to all partners of ZTE including a large number of US companies,” ZTE said.

    “In any case, ZTE will not give up its efforts to resolve the issue through communication, and we are also determined, if necessary, to take judicial measures to protect the legal rights and interests of our company, our employees and our shareholders, and to fulfill obligations and take responsibilities to our global customers, end-users, partners and suppliers.”

    The department’s decision comes in the wake of the recent ban on US government departments buying devices and equipment from fellow Chinese vendor Huawei.

    At the Huawei Analysts Summit in Shenzhen last week, Huawei rotating chariman Eric Xu appeared to acknowledge that the company has been largely locked out of the US market.

    ”For Huawei, we still focus on doing our own things well. No matter what difficulties we encounter, we can only survive and thrive by doing our own business well and serving our customers better,” he said.

    “There are things we cannot change its course, and it’s better not to put it on top of your mind. In this way, we have more energy and time to serve our customers, and to build better products to meet the needs of our customers. In some cases, just let it go and we’ll feel at ease.”

    The timing of the two decisions have spurred speculation that Huawei and ZTE may have been casualties in the ongoing trade war between the US and China, which has also led to the imposition of tariffs on the importation of multiple categories of products.

    There has also been speculation that China may be retaliating by holding out on providing US chipmaker Qualcomm with regulatory approval to acquire NXP Semiconductors.

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  • Ericsson recovering but still posts Q1 loss

    Ericsson recovering but still posts Q1 loss

    Ericsson has reported its sixth straight quarterly net loss for the first quarter, but the vendor significantly improved its performance year-on-year.

    Ericsson posted a net loss of around 700 million kronor ($82.7 million), but this compared to a loss of 10 billion kronor in the first quarter of 2017.

    The vendor’s operating loss was meanwhile reduced to 300 million kronor from 11.3 billion kronor.

    Revenue for the quarter fell 9% year-on-year to 43.4 billion kronor, but adjusted for currency fluctuations revenue fell just 2%.

    Gross margins meanwhile improved significantly to 34.2%, from 15.7% a year earlier and 21.6% during Q4.

    During the quarter, Ericsson also cut its global workforce by a further 3,000 jobs, to take the number of positions eliminated since July up to 18,000.

    Ericsson CEO Börje Ekholm said the results indicate that the vendor is making strong progress with its ongoing turnaround program. To date the annual run-rate effect of the cost reduction program is around 8.5 billion kronor, he said, which compares to a target of 10 billion kronor for mid-2018.

    “We have continued to execute on our focused business strategy creating solutions that help our customers improve their business. Our efforts to improve efficiency in service delivery and common costs are starting to pay off,” he said.

    “The improvements in the quarter are encouraging. However, more work remains to be done. We have confidence in the strategic direction laid out and remain fully committed to our long-term targets.”

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  • Telenor presents ‘Motorcycle Girl’, an adventure based on the life of motorcyclist, Zenith Irfan

    Telenor presents ‘Motorcycle Girl’, an adventure based on the life of motorcyclist, Zenith Irfan

    ‘Motorcycle Girl’, a biopic on the achievements of Zenith Irfan, the first female biker to take a solo journey to Pakistan’s northern areas, was premiered in Karachi. Showcasing the feat of a young girl challenging stereotypes, the movie fits perfectly with Telenor’s brand philosophy of empowering Pakistanis so that they become the better version of themselves.

    The movie tells the story of Zenith Irfan, an 21-year old girl who makes the bold decision to break free from societal shackles and embark on a solo motorcycle trip to the Northern areas of Pakistan to fulfil her deceased father’s dream of travelling to Khunjerab Pass on a motorbike. Zenith’s valiance and determination led her to undertake a difficult journey, which even men would think twice to undertake given the dangers involved; making her the first Pakistani woman to achieve this remarkable feat.

    Starring Sohai Ali Abro and Ali Kazmi, Motorcycle Girl has been directed, written and co-produced by Adnan Sarwar, a talented young Pakistani actor, director, musician, screenwriter, and producer who made his film debut in the biopic, Shah. The movie is the second installment of Adnan Sarwar’s planned ‘Heroes Trilogy’ as he brings another real-life story of a Pakistani hero to the big screen.

    “At Telenor Pakistan, we have always been a strong advocate of individual empowerment. Telenor wants to enable Pakistanis with the power of its data so that they can achieve more and become a better version of themselves. Zenith’s story is a strong voice with which we can perfectly match our brand philosophy of doing more and achieving more,” said Umair Mohsin, VP Circle South at Telenor Pakistan. “The way Zenith turned her father’s unmet dream into a reality by showing unwavering strength and commitment to her passion against all odds should serve as an inspiration for all Pakistanis to listen to their inner voice and make things happen independently. This is what Telenor believes in and through its data, Telenor wants to enable its audiences in this journey.”

    “This is a story of Zenith’s determination in the face of all the resistance and noise trying to hold her back from her ultimate goal. Her story is representative of the problems faced by any girl in our society,” said Adnan Sarwar. “The movie is important because at such a young age, Zenith is doing things that challenge stereotypes which are deeply engrained in the fabric of our society.”

    Motorcycle Girl drew applause and positive initial feedback from the audience. The movie will now be screening at all major cinemas across Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad among other cities from April 20, 2018.

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  • StarHub appoints Peter Kaliaropoulos as CEO

    StarHub appoints Peter Kaliaropoulos as CEO

    Singaporean telecoms operator StarHub has appointed Peter Kaliaropoulos (pictured)  as its next chief executive officer.

    In a statement, StarHub said Kaliaropoulos will take over as Group CEO on July 9. He replaces Tan Tong Hai, who will step down from his roles as CEO and executive director from May 1.

    Kaliaropoulos, who was most recently CEO of Zain Saudi Arabia, has 35 years of experience in the global Information and communication technology sector.

    He has previously worked at telcos across Asia Pacific and the Middle East including BT, Telstra, Optus, Clear, Batelco and Ooredoo. Kaliaropoulos was even with StarHub way back in 2000 when the company began operations in Singapore, the Singapore telco said.

    Kaliaropoulos has also led a significant number of acquisitions and contributed as a board director to a number of telcos and ICT start-ups in Australia, USA, Singapore, India and the Middle East.

    In selecting its new CEO, StarHub said key criteria included strong leadership beyond conventional frameworks; understanding of the new market dynamics around intense competition; and one with diverse experience in the telco industry to better lead the team to deal with the rapid changes in the highly competitive environment.

    “This appointment is the result of an extensive and rigorous global executive search. As a telco veteran with a proven track record of achievements across a wide range of markets, and broad industry knowledge, the board is confident that Peter is well qualified to lead StarHub in pursuing new opportunities and managing the challenges that operators face today,” Terry Clontz, chairman of StarHub, commented.

    “My fellow directors and I are delighted to welcome Peter to the StarHub Group and look forward to working closely with him.”

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  • APAC cloud video collaboration market booming

    APAC cloud video collaboration market booming

    New business models and advances in cloud computing capabilities are driving adoption and expansion of the Asia-Pacific cloud video collaboration market, according to Frost & Sullivan.

    Cloud video conferencing services grew a strong 43.1% in 2017, and the total video collaboration market is on track to grow at a CAGR of 11.3% over the next five years, the research firm predicts.

    But while newer and agile cloud services are allowing providers to fuel the direction of next-generation video conferencing, a complete overhaul of business models will be required for video conferencing device vendors to match pace with evolving market trends.

    “Cloud, mobility, and innovative use cases are set to drive new growth opportunities within the Asia-Pacific video collaboration market with cloud penetration rates to be around 30% by 2022,” Frost & Sullivan Research Manager Jesse Yu said.

    “Vertically customized solutions and video analytics will become strong areas for differentiation and new growth opportunities.”

    Yu recommends cloud vendors looking to gain a competitive advantage focus on product innovation to support compatibility with Skype for Business or Cisco Spark and offer a flexible approach to cloud services.

    Providers should adopt agile business models that can target SMEs and mid-market customers, pursue collaborations with local telecoms operators on specific industry verticals and use cases and move to reduce bandwidth usage, complexity and costs to improve the user experience.

    “Furthermore, players should explore different strategies to enter the market; for example, local channel partnerships, all-in-one UC/collaboration bundles, freemium deals, eCommerce, and free trials. This will enhance their customer base and reinforce the advantages of video conferencing,” Yu said.

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