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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.

  • Telcos not connecting with Singapore teens

    Telcos not connecting with Singapore teens

    Only 8% of teenagers in Singapore (versus 12% globally) feel that telecoms service providers understand their lifestyle and offer services to match it, according to research from Vanson Bourne.

    But at the same time, only 18% (30% globally) report experiencing poor customer service from their service provider over the past year, while 46% (same as globally) say that as a result, they will not use the same provider again. Significantly, a 41% of respondents shared this information with family and friends.

    The study, which was commissioned by Amdocs, covered 4,250 respondents (15-18 years) from the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Brazil, India, Germany, Russia, Mexico, the Philippines and Singapore.

    Among respondents in Singapore, 49% (43% globally) believe their smartphone makes them smarter and “cooler”, while 55% (52% globally) check their social media accounts first thing in the morning. Almost half (31% globally) say they would probably not meet someone again if they didn’t have a WhatsApp account.

    Also, 56% say they prefer using emojis (47% globally) to sending emails, as they feel it allows them to express their feelings more clearly than words. A similar number said the same about posting photos (45% globally).

    In addition, teens demand constant internet connectivity, with 68% (56% globally) saying they are likely to feel anxious and alone if separated from the internet than if separated from family (51% versus 52% globally). The value of internet access is so significant that 56% (55% globally) strongly believe fast Internet access to be a human right.

    Further, 59% (61% globally) stream videos, compared to 20% (14% globally) who download.

    For TV, 47% (51% globally) stream versus 18% (11% globally) who download, while for music, 41% (46% globally) stream, compared to 37% (28% globally) who download. And they are typically doing so for free, with less than a third saying they ever pay for content.

    The study also found that teens perceive content and app providers as “service providers” and love them more, they want to harness technology to design their own experiences, and they expect future technology to allow them to become digital beings as much as human beings.

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  • Former Thai ICT minister spends first night in jail

    Former Thai ICT minister spends first night in jail

    Former ICT Minister Doctor Surapong Suebwonglee is spending the night in jail after being found guilty of criminal malfeasance regarding an amendment to the Thaicom / Shin Satellite contract.

    The case, brought by the counter corruption commission, accused Surapong and former ICT Ministry Permanent Secretary Kraisorn Pornsutee and former Space Administration Bureau director Chaiyan Pungkiatpairoj (himself later permanent secretary) of illegally amending the concession to allow Shin Corporation to lower its shareholding of Shin Satellite from not less than 51% to not less than 40%.

    This materially changed the requisites in the concession contract as it would lessen the risk Shin Corporation had in Shin Satellite, and it could, though unlikely, open the way for the 60% of shareholders to get together to outvote concession holder Shin Corporation.

    Such a material change would have needed cabinet approval.

    The courts noted that while Surapong did submit evidence that he had asked the Thaksin Shinawatra cabinet for approval; and evidence that the attorney-general said he had the power to go ahead with the amendment whilst the cabinet approval was pending, Surapong had omitted one important detail.

    The former ICT Minister withheld information from the attorney-general that the cabinet secretariat had refused to table the amendment as it would have been a conflict of interest.

    Thaksin Shinawatra’s family and associates (driver, cook, and maid) still held a controlling stake in the company that bore his name at that time.

    Doctor Surapong was given a one year jail sentence beginning immediately and was led away to jail immediately after the verdict was delivered. The two others were given one year jail sentences, suspended for five years.

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  • Cellcard launches carrier billing in Cambodia

    Cellcard launches carrier billing in Cambodia

    Cambodian mobile operator Cellcard and mobile payments company Fortumo have teamed up to offer direct carrier billing for digital content.

    Cellcard’s 4 million subscribers will be able to pay for digital content via their monthly mobile bill.

    The alliance is aimed at providing payment options for the Cambodian market, which has a credit card penetration of less than 5% but a smartphone penetration of around 40%.

    Fortumo’s direct carrier billing platform is used by smartphone app stores Google Play and Windows Phone Store, digital media companies including Sony, Hooq and Gaana as well as game developers such as EA Mobile nad Gameloft.

    The company’s alliance with Cellcard comes in the wake of recently-announced partnerships with Reliance Communications in India, Zong in Pakistan and Viettel in Vietnam covering payments over Google Play.

    Across APAC, Forumo’s direct carrier billing platform is now available to 1.5 billion customers in 16 countries.

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  • Taiwan Mobile to offer enterprise IoT services

    Taiwan Mobile to offer enterprise IoT services

    Taiwan Mobile plans to offer enterprise IoT services in the Taiwanese market using the Cisco Jasper Control Center platform.

    The operator plans to offer plug-and-play IoT services that can be configured to provide analysis, automation and diagnostic intelligence.

    The company will offer services for any industry, with a particular focus on segments including connected cars, mobile payment, manufacturing, smart cities and public transport.

    “Enterprises throughout Taiwan are eager to deliver new, value-added IoT services to their customers,” Taiwan Mobile senior director of mobile marketing and IoT services Eddie Chan said.

    “Companies are increasingly focused on offering services that generate recurring revenue while improving the customer experience. Taiwan Mobile is excited to be at the forefront of enabling this transformation for businesses throughout Taiwan via the industry-leading Cisco Jasper IoT platform.”

    Cisco acquired US-based Jasper and its cloud-based IoT service platform for $1.4 billion in March, as part of efforts to gain a stronger foothold in the burgeoning new market segment.

    The Cisco Jasper Control Center offers real-time monitoring, management and control over IoT services, and is scalable to global implementations thanks to the company’s partnership with 30 global mobile operator groups representing more than 120 mobile networks worldwide.

  • SAP China teams up with Alibaba Cloud

    SAP China teams up with Alibaba Cloud

    SAP China and Alibaba Cloud have teamed up to launch three cloud-based SAP services to Chinese customers by the end of the year.

    The companies have revealed plans to launch in-memory computing platform SAP HANA Cloud Platform and two other services in 2016.

    The two other services are the cloud-based SaaS CRM solution Hybris Cloud for Customer, as well as SAP Business ByDesign, integrated cloud suite tailored for mid-sized businesses.

    Alibaba Cloud president Simon Hu said the partnership is aimed at addressing the growing ubiquity of cloud services.

    “Cloud computing has become the new infrastructure for businesses around the world,” he said. “Through in-depth collaboration, Alibaba Cloud and SAP will join hands to bring more world-class cloud products with highly reliable and strong capabilities to companies in different industries.”

    SAP Greater China president Mark Gibbs said the company achieved triple-digit growth in the region from its cloud business in the first half of 2016.

    “The cloud business is a key part of SAP’s digital framework and one of the driving forces behind our rapid business growth in China.” he said.

    “The three cloud-based solutions that we are about to launch with Alibaba Cloud will further expand SAP’s cloud footprint in China, and meet the needs of more Chinese enterprises. It will help Chinese companies to effectively embrace the opportunities brought by digital transformation.”

  • India won’t relax FDI rules for DoCoMo case

    India won’t relax FDI rules for DoCoMo case

    The Indian government does not intend to relax rules regarding foreign investments to allow Japan’s NTT DoCoMo to exit its Tata DoCoMo joint venture at a pre-determined price.

    The government has taken the view that there is no case for bending the rules for a single company.

    Rules that have been in place since 2007 – almost two years before Tata Group and NTT DoCoMo entered the joint venture – stipulate that no foreign investor is entitled to exit its investment at a pre-determined price or with assured return, the report states.

    But the agreement between NTT DoCoMo and Tata Group stipulated that DoCoMo was entitled to sell its shares at the highest of either the market price or half the initial subscription price.

    An arbitration court recently found Tata Group’s majority shareholders and Tata Teleservices liable for $1.17 billion in damages due to the failure to live up to the shareholder agreement, even though the Reserve Bank of India is prohibiting the company from doing so due to the rules.

    The government is considering amending the regulations for future foreign direct investments, introducing a price band rather than the current fair price stipulation, to make the market more attractive to investors. But the finance ministry has ruled out applying the rules retroactively to cover the DoCoMo transaction.

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  • Maxis taps YouTube for 360° film series

    Maxis taps YouTube for 360° film series

    Maxis is partnering with YouTube and Malaysia’s best storytellers to produce a Merdeka-themed film series, shot entirely using the latest cutting edge 360° cameras.

    Maxis will be working with award-winning filmmakers that include The Ming Thing, YouTube superstars with over 20 million video views; Junad Mohd Nor, whose film Ikal Mayang’s Odah premiered at Busan International film festival; and Denes Kumar & Vimala Perumal, the filmmakers behind Tamil’s box office hit, Vetti Pasanga.

    The company said that, using YouTube 360° video, it wants to empower Malaysians to be the first to “see Malaysia from different angles.”

    “Instead of premiering in a traditional physical cinema, these films will premiere exclusively via the YouTube platform to an estimated audience of 15 million via their mobile screens starting August 25,” said Sulin Lau, Maxis’ head of marketing services.

    “Because 360 films are truly immersive video, it’s a great way to demonstrate how great the Maxis 4G network is for seamless, buffer-free video,” said Lau.

    For this film series, the filmmakers are drawing inspiration from Malaysia’s diversity and will tell stories showing that even though we are made up of many different people, we can still come together and embrace each other’s differences.

    Maxis and YouTube are also inviting students and the public to submit their own Merdeka film and stand a chance to be premiered alongside the films of these award-winning filmmakers.

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  • Telstra ramps up mobile offers as streaming go small screen

    Telstra ramps up mobile offers as streaming go small screen

    New research reveals mobile video streaming is growing at more than 30% a year and on-demand TV, sports and music is changing when and where Australians watch their favorite entertainment, according to Telstra.

    To help customers make the most of the mobile streaming revolution, Telstra has included a three-month subscription to all three leading streaming video providers Netflix, Stan and Presto on selected mobile plans.

    Also, Telstra mobile plan customers can now enjoy Apple Music with data-free music streaming which means listening to all your favorite songs, albums and playlists without tapping into their data allowance.

    Further, Telstra launched a new app that makes it easy to discover all the sports and entertainment content included in Telstra mobile plans.

    “Telstra mobile customers can now get Netflix, Stan and Presto, unmetered Apple Music and free access to live NRL or AFL, Netball and Basketball, providing an unmatched mobile entertainment experience,” said Michele Garra, Telstra’s executive director for media.

    She said Australians have embraced streaming video services like Netflix in their lounge rooms and that appetite is now seen translated to phones and tablets outside the home.

    “Network traffic surges during the morning and afternoon commute, suggesting two new prime-time periods are emerging, as people discover how easy it to continue watching their favorite shows on the go,” said Garra.

    Garra said to make it easier for customers to discover the full range of entertainment options available to them as part of their plan Telstra is introducing the Telstra TV+ app for mobiles.

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  • Singtel interested in MobiFone privatization

    Singtel interested in MobiFone privatization

    Singtel has joined the ranks of operators interested in becoming the strategic partner of Vietnamese operator MobiFone.

    Singtel’s VP for business development Oliver Foo met with deputy ICT minister Pham Hong Hai recently to discuss a possible investment in the venture.

    The Vietnamese government plans to privatize the currently state-owned operator MobiFone, and is seeking a foreign operator interested in participating in the privatization. Companies including Norway’s Telenor, Sweden’s Comviq and Australia’s Telstra have previously expressed an interest.

    Now Singtel has also indicated it may want to participate in the opening up of the operator to private investors.

    MobiFone has an estimated brand value of $539 million. The company jointly controls the majority of Vietnam’s telecoms market together with fellow state-owned operator VinaPhone and military-run Viettel.

    But the government has not yet announced its plans for the privatization of MobiFone.

    MobiFone recently contracted Ciena to build a 300Gbps backbone networkspanning more than 1,400km across the country.

    Singtel has meanwhile been expanding its regional operations, having recently announced plans to indirectly increase its stakes in Thai mobile operator AIS and India’s Bharti Airtel.

  • Telenor, MPT apply for Myanmar 2600-MHz auction

    Telenor, MPT apply for Myanmar 2600-MHz auction

    Telenor and Myanmar state-owned operator MPT have both lodged expressions of interest regarding taking part in Myanmar’s first spectrum auction in October.

    The operators are among the potential bidders for 40 MHz of 2600-MHz spectrum reserved for mobile broadband services.

    Multiple ISPs and other companies – including Yatanarpon Teleport and Myanmar Telecommunication Network – have also lodged expressions of interest regarding the auction. In total, 22 companies have applied.

    Of the total number of applicants, 20 have been accepted as potential bidders, while the applications of two were rejected due to those companies lacking the required network facilities service license.

    Selected bidders will need to meet financial and technical prerequisites, including providing a $500,000 deposit, to qualify.

    By contrast, Telenor Myanmar’s main rival Ooredoo Myanmar has elected not to participate in favor of waiting for a separate 1800-MHz auction, which the operator expects to take part later in the year.

    During the auction the 40 MHz of 2600-MHz spectrum will be divided into two 20 MHz licenses, and this will itself be divided into three separate regions. Bidders will not be allowed to win more than 20 MHz in any one region, and will only be allowed to secure spectrum in up to two regions.

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  • M1 to deploy NB-IoT network by 2017

    M1 to deploy NB-IoT network by 2017

    M1 and Nokia have teamed up to roll out the first nationwide commercial narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) network in Singapore by 2017.

    When completed, the deployment – Nokia’s first large-scale deployment with an operator partner in Asia – is expected to be among the world’s first commercial NB-IoT deployments.

    NB-IoT networks and devices are designed to deliver improved network performance for M2M (machine-to-machine) communications – low-bandwidth, robust indoor penetration, and low power consumption, while delivering the benefits of licensed spectrum such as network reliability and security.

    The NB-IoT standards were finalized by the GSMA Standards body 3GPP in June 2016. Commercial NB-IoT devices are expected to be available by mid-2017.

    According to Bell Labs Consulting, there will be up to five billion IoT devices connected through mobile networks by 2020. In Singapore, NB-IoT deployment will support the nation’s journey to become a Smart Nation underpinned by data to deliver anticipatory services to its people.

    “NB-IoT is emerging to be a potentially promising technology for smart city’s machine-to-machine type of applications and services. We look forward to working with NB-IoT partners to explore the use of NB-IoT in developing innovative Smart Nation services that improve our citizens’ lives and make our businesses more productive,” said Jacqueline Poh, Chief Executive-designate, Government Technology Agency (GovTech).

    Sandeep Girotra, Nokia’s Senior Vice President of Asia-Pacific and Japan, said Nokia’s joint collaboration of NB-IoT deployment with M1 lays an important groundwork for further application of LTE-based IoT services.

    M1 also recently announced it is working with Nokia on Singapore’s first commercial HetNet deployment.

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  • Singapore testing SIM logins for US visitors

    Singapore testing SIM logins for US visitors

    The Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) is piloting trials for US visitors to connect to the local wireless broadband network, Wireless@SG.

    The trials, which commenced yesterday and will run until September 21, will be conducted in partnership with the Land Transport Land Transport Authority (LTA), M1, Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) and Singtel.

    Under the project, T-Mobile US subscribers can connect automatically to Wireless@SG after a one-time setup on their SIM devices. This would enable them to connect to around 290 hotspots in designated test areas – Sentosa and major MRT stations. Other US visitors who are not subscribers of T-Mobile can sign up for a free account in the government website.

    “Wi-Fi is fast becoming a daily necessity and Wireless@SG as the largest city-wide federated Wi-Fi network will be an important enabler to improve connectivity and liveability in Singapore as we move towards a Smart Nation,” said Khoong Hock Yun, IDA’s assistant chief executive.

    “Trialing the SIM-login method for foreign visitors is something new to us, and we hope to gather new insights, fine tune technical challenges, and enhance the Wireless@SG program further,” he added.

    IDA said the trial is taking place in conjunction with the Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA) City Wi-Fi Roaming Project, which also allows Singapore visitors to the US to roam automatically and securely between free public Wi-Fi hotspots in participating US cities, namely, San Jose, San Francisco and New York for the same period.

    The City Wi-Fi Roaming Project is likewise a supporting activity of World Wi-Fi Day initiative. Both initiatives are backed by the Connected City Advisory Board, which aims to deliver the vision of Connected Cities around the world

  • Ooyala unveils turnkey OTT solution

    Ooyala unveils turnkey OTT solution

    Telstra unit Ooyala has introduced Ooyala AppStudio, its new turnkey over-the-top (OTT) solution for video providers to cost-effectively build and deploy comprehensive OTT app- and web-based video entertainment experiences.

    According to a report by DTVR, OTT services are booming globally as consumers flock to connected devices for content; creating a market opportunity of nearly $65 billion over the next five years.

    Using Ooyala AppStudio, broadcasters, publishers and media companies can quickly launch, manage and monetize new OTT offerings.

    The new turnkey solution promises to mitigate the expensive custom development and integration costs typically associated with OTT market entry.

    An out-of-the-box solution, it promises to ensure customers can deploy premium OTT experiences on time and on budget, with a simple, easy-to-use interface.

    As such, it does not require highly technical staff to build or manage services. Content providers can automate the build of OTT apps directly within the Ooyala AppStudio console for any device, supporting apps for Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and Chromecast as well as on iOS, Android and the web. No engineering is required, drastically reducing time-to-market as well as development and personnel-associated costs.

    Ooyala will demonstrate Ooyala AppStudio at the 2016 International Broadcasting Convention (IBC) in Amsterdam, September 8 through September 13.

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  • HK netizens support smart city push

    HK netizens support smart city push

    More than 50% of local internet users believe it is important for the government to transform Hong Kong into a smart city, according to a HKIRC survey.

    Hong Kong internet users believe that a smart city transformation will help them save time (79.6%), enhance the quality of life (77.4%) and live green (62.4%).

    HKIRC revealed the results of the survey at its eighth Digital Marketplace seminar at Cyberport last week, which had the theme of “Smart City Business ─ Shaping Our Future.”

    At the event speakers from MTR, PwC Advisory Services, Future Impact Lab Limited, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, JOS, Realmax Hong Kong, Smart City Consortium, Cyberport and Octopus Cards shared their thoughts on various smart city topics.

    The survey also showed that over 70% of respondents are interested in smart technologies in the near future.

    Among those willing to spend 11% or more of their monthly incomes, 38.2% would like to spend on smart healthcare or education, 37.6% on smart living, 31% on smart safety, 29.2% on smart finance, 29% on smart mobility and 27.7% on smart utility.

    HKIRC noted that this implies there is massive business potential for startups and enterprises in the emerging smart city technology space.

    But despite seemingly strong support for smart city policies, respondents believe there is still plenty of room for improvements in terms of the breadth and depth of products and services in smart government, smart living, smart mobility and smart economy.

    “The survey results echo the government’s spearhead action in Smart City development.” HKIRC chairman Simon Chan said.

    “This year’s DMP demonstrates a strong demand from the public for Smart Technologies, and the business community is ready to launch products and solutions to meet the needs. We are happy to see that the city has started to emerge itself into a Smart City.”

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  • Qihoo 360 launches new advertising initiatives

    Qihoo 360 launches new advertising initiatives

    Chinese internet company Qihoo 360 is rolling a number of initiatives to help CMOs better connect with Chinese netizens.

    The company, named by iResearch as the number one provider of internet and mobile security products in China based on user base, is looking to make advertising effective in China’s fast-growing online market.

    Many global brands are looking to capture the potential of China’s large pool of netizens. With global brands competing with large local brands, CMOs need to fine tune their digital strategy in a market where most consumers prefer to shop online, and increasingly via their mobile phones.

    Qihoo 360 has built one of the largest open internet platforms in China to monetize its massive user base, which is 99.6% of Chinese netizens, primarily through online advertising and through internet value-added services on its open platform. Through its Qihoo 360 International Advertising Unit, the company services over 250 advertising business customers in Hong Kong and overseas markets.

    The new product updates include Huajiao, a livestreaming app showcasing user-generated content that is now available in Hong Kong. Another product, 360 Mobile Security, will soon be available for advertising placement in Hong Kong for selected advertisers, allowing them to precisely target Chinese tourists during their travels.

    Six business core business strategies were also announced for 2H 2016, including “more innovative products”, “more professional support in planning”, “more responsive customer service”, “more comprehensive technology upgrades”, “more powerful voice on behalf of the market”, and “more effective tools and systems.” they aim to help CMOs to target Chinese online customers more effectively.

    “Today, we’re pleased to showcase the power of our big data analytics services, together with the announcement of our latest business strategies and future direction – assisting brand development and boosting advertising effectiveness with branded content,” said Dr. Michael Yang, chief business officer of Qihoo 360.

    “Qihoo 360 connects with 96.6% of Chinese netizens. We aim to help Hong Kong and overseas brands effectively and accurately connect with the right audience in the China market through a comprehensive product portfolio,” he said.