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Tag: asia

  • Central Retail invests US$3 million for Tops Market’s new model

    Central Retail invests US$3 million for Tops Market’s new model

    Central Retail has invested US$3 million to build Tops Market’s first standalone supermarket, on Bangkok’s Pattanakarn 30.

    Catering to the residential areas in Eastern Bangkok, the new standalone supermarket spans 3400sqm, housing more than 17,000 items across seven zones, including Healthiful, Snacker, Asian Flavours and Petster. Tops Market Pattanakarn 30 offers omnichannel with personal shopper service and quick commerce service through Line.

    “The new store will cater to modern consumers who prefer shopping near their home so that they do not have to worry about commuting,” said Stephane Coum, CEO of Central Food Retail. “We recognise the spending potential of the consumers in this area, as it is an upscale residential area in Eastern Bangkok, with many large-scale real estate projects.”

    Sustainability innovations and technology are implemented at the store in line with the Central Retail Retailligence strategy. Two EV charging stations are installed to support clean energy, while energy-saving refrigerators are used to reduce the use of electricity and carbon footprints.

    Customers can also collect trash and household waste to receive points on recycling days. Each point is equal to one baht, and Tops Market adds another baht to be donated to Empty Bottles, Full Value project by Wat Chak Daeng in Samut Prakan province, to make PPE uniforms for the temple and garbage collectors.

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  • Vietnam plans two-thirds cut in thermal power

    Vietnam plans two-thirds cut in thermal power

    Vietnam will reduce coal-fired power supply by two-thirds between 2025 and 2045 and increase renewable power supply to account for more than half of the total.

    All localities have expressed agreement with the Ministry of Industry and Trade’s latest version – Power Power Development Plan 8 – which was announced earlier this month. The ministry is required to complete its final draft of the plan and submit it to the government by the end of this month, Deputy Prime Minister Le Van Thanh has said.

    The plan includes targets to bring down the ratio of coal-fired power supply from 29.3 percent in 2025 to 9.6 percent in 2045, when the country is set to have a total supply of 401,556 megawatts from all sources.

    This means coal-fired projects under construction will still be completed, but no new plant will be approved. Hydropower will also see its ratio reduced from 27.2 percent in 2025 to 9 percent in 2045. Renewable energy, comprising mostly of wind and solar power, will see its ratio increase from 23.7 percent in 2025 to 59.5 percent by 2045.

    Offshore projects are set to account for zero percent of supply by 2025 but will rise to 17 percent by 2045.

    Solar power farms will see its ratio more than double from 8.9 percent to 19.4 percent.

    The industry ministry also eyes a gradual transition from liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects to hydrogen power over 20 years. By the 10th year of their operation, the government wants LNG plants to have 20 percent of their capacity coming from hydrogen power.

    The latest development plan aims to maximize the reduction of coal-fired power sources in order to meet the country’s commitment to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, the industry ministry told the government in its report.

    Carbon emissions are set to hit 175 million tonnes by 2045 and fall to 42 million tonnes by 2050.

    The plan will also increase power independence and reduce the need for energy imports, the ministry said.

    Power imports are set to see their ratio decrease from 4.5 percent of total supply in 2025 to 2.8 percent in 2045.

    The industry ministry estimates an investment of $141.6 billion to implement this plant, with transmission accounting for nearly 10 percent.

    It wants to increase power transmission from the central and southern regions to the northern region starting 2030.

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  • ZTE COO Xie Junshi: Digitalization is the key to greater societal resilience

    ZTE COO Xie Junshi: Digitalization is the key to greater societal resilience

    At the post MWC22 sharing session recently organized by the GSMA, Xie Junshi, EVP and COO of ZTE, explored several exciting new trends in scenario-based 5G applications, mobile technologies, and industry development in an increasingly digitalized world.

    Xie noted that digitalization in the volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA) era is continuously strengthening the “immune system” of our society, playing an irreplaceable role in tackling not only the current pandemic but also long-term public health issues such as ageing populations while promoting sustainable development. With digitalizationaccelerating around the world, both the technology and market are changing disruptively, creating more innovations and greater potential. To maintain a competitive edge, CSPs are pursuing the transformation to DSPs. Focusing on scenarios and value creation, ZTE aims to work jointly with all partners to build a digital and intelligent ecosystem.

    Below are the highlights of Xie’s sharing:

    Accelerating global digitalization is boosting the society’s immune system

    Digitalization is the key to greater societal resilience in the post-pandemic era. Whether in telecommuting, online collaboration, or digital factories, digitalization provides support for our lives and helps guarantee the health of the entire economy. Digitalization is also playing a pivotal role in tackling VUCA and population aging while promoting green, low-carbon, and sustainable development.

    Driven by scenario and value, both the market and technology are changing disruptively. The diverse range of exhibitors and fascinating content at MWC 2022 highlight the evolution from mobile Internet to IoE and AIoE, marked by ubiquitous 5G connectivity, AI advancement, cloud-network convergence, and new technologies. Today, without a doubt, global digitalization is accelerating, creating more technological innovations and greater market potential. To maintain a competitive edge, CSPs are pursuing the transformation to DSPs.

    In every industrial revolution, higher efficiency has always been the most critical factor. This current revolution of digitalization is no exception. At MWC 2022, most of the digital innovations presented by exhibitors, including ZTE, focus on higher efficiency. For instance, ZTE shared innovations for simplified infrastructure, efficient and intelligent operations, as well as agile innovations for achieving growth in the second curve of digital services. ZTE has also adopted scenario-based approaches to realize the ultimate experience and efficiency, promoting sustainable development and future technological advancements.

    Sustainable development is the key goal of enterprises, while the key to promoting 5G application in the to-B field lies in three aspects

    For 5G networks, consumers look forward to a better experience, while enterprises look for lower costs, higher efficiency, and business growth. So far, in the to-B field, 5G technology has been widely applied to verticals. For example, to assist or replace manpower, 5G-powered automated guided vehicles (AGVs) are used in flexible production lines, 8K machine vision for more efficient quality inspection, and unmanned or remotely controlled machines to assist in operations.

    To facilitate greater breakthroughs in the to-B field, however, it is important to achieve collaboration with operators and enterprises where every party stands to benefit. Together, there are three aspects to work on: creating and sustaining competitive differentiation, developing effective business models to speed up value creation, and exploring the path to mass customization.

    Competitive differentiation means that ZTE can provide unique and optimal solutions, and hence stand out from the competition. When delivering 5G solutions for verticals, it is important to determine whether 5G technology is indispensable, or whether the 5G-powered solutions have unparalleled advantages over others. This is how competitive differentiation can be sustained.

    As for speeding up value creation in the early stage of 5G application, it is important to focus on customers’ pain points and distinctive needs in fragmented scenarios. On this basis, ZTE can explore more scenarios in different fields, so as to accelerate the development of 5G application in the to-B field.

    To achieve higher profitability, mass customization is the optimal choice. This is why ZTE aims to build underlying capabilities of digital infrastructure and component-based cloud capabilities. Through flexible orchestration of such capabilities, agile innovation can be implemented, meeting the requirements of different applications in various scenarios. In addition, this allows ZTE to continue to build successful experience across different scenarios and consolidate a strong digital foundation, to enable rapid iteration and continuous evolution.

    Evolving consumer expectations drive 5G application in the to-C field, and joint efforts are required for building the infrastructure and ecosystem

    The rapid development of the mobile Internet is driven by evolving consumer expectations and improving human capabilities. The same will be true for the application of 5G in the to-C field. For example, consumer demands boost the development of applications that can provide real-time, immersive, and interactive audio-visual experience, such as UHD videos, AR and VR applications, and cloud gaming. This has been a trend in countries with wide 5G network coverage, including China and South Korea. With 5G technology, we can now watch live sport events with a panoramic view, freely zoom in or out, and switch between different camera positions. In this way, consumers can stay at home and enjoy personalized and immersive experiences in real time. In order to make the much talked-about metaverse a reality, we need to enhance network capabilities, computing power, and storage capabilities, for which 5G technology plays a vital role.

    To promote 5G applications in the to-C field, wide and deep network coverage is of great importance. More specifically, we need optimal, cost-effective 5G solutions that can guarantee continuous and intensive network coverage both outdoors and indoors, even on high-speed trains, airplanes, and ships. ZTE has already made many innovations in the to-C fields. In addition, easy-to-use and cost-effective terminals, together with different kinds of content services, will help give rise to improved applications in a stronger and healthier ecosystem.

    ZTE is committed to building a “1+2+3” digital ecosystem.

    The next major chapter of 5G development will start with the arrival of 5G-Advanced. While 3GPP Releases 15, 16, and 17 represent the first phase of 5G standards, 5G-Advanced marks the start of the second. Following up on 5G commercial deployment and empowerment of verticals worldwide, 5G-Advanced focuses on better user experience and more industry applications.

    In December 2021, together with its industry partners, 3GPP approved a work package for its Release 18, marking the start of 5G-Advanced evolution. The work package includes 28 study or work items in a variety of scenarios, including eMBB, real-time interactive new media, network intelligence, IoT featuring high-precision positioning and low power consumption, IIoT, integrated sensing and communication (ISAC), fused location, and satellite-cellular network integration. These efforts will bring us brand new capabilities, applications, and experiences. Toward 5G-Advanced, ZTE will continuously work with industry partners to promote technological innovation and industrial transformation.

    To gain a firm foothold in this process of network evolution, ZTE is always committed to building a “1+2+3″ digital ecosystem, looking to address key pain points and create greater value for customers.

    So what exactly is ”1+2+3”?

    “1” refers to a solid foundation consisting of chipsets, algorithms, and architectures. ZTE continuously strengthens its foundation to gain momentum for growth.

    “2” refers to intelligence and security, which are crucial to 5G networks and business.

    “3” refers to capability, performance, and efficiency, which should be continuously improved through innovations and are key to the prosperity of 5G.

    With the evolution to 5G-Advanced, ZTE will work with industry partners and advance technological innovations to reinvent a digital world.

    China’s 5G development will make greater contributions to global industries and markets.

    As of January 2022, a total of 1.425 million 5G base stations have been built in China, making 5G networks available in over 98% of counties and 80% of towns. Mobile 5G connections now exceed 518 million. More crucially, over 10,000 innovative 5G use cases have been created, which span the fields of manufacturing, health care, education and transportation.

    In the 5G era, China has been an active contributor in many aspects:

    • The moderately advanced pace of network construction in China has boosted the growth of the 5G industry.
    • China has continued exploring and promoting large-scale 5G application, consolidating the foundation of the entire industry.
    • China actively pushes forward the co-building and sharing of networks for higher resource efficiency.

    China has a wide range of wireless scenarios and a sound foundation provided by its digital economy, and is witnessing the growth of huge potential in consumer markets and various industries. With the moderately advanced pace of 5G network construction, excellent network coverage and guaranteed performance, China’s unique environment is set to produce a range of more applications and continuous innovation, and contribute to global industries and markets.

    Video link to Xie’s sharing at MWC22 :

    https://res-www.zte.com.cn/MediaFiles/4/F/4/%7B4F48E19C-7979-4844-861C-99C0759DA7F4%7D202204151635.mp4

     

  • M&Ms steps out with Adidas

    M&Ms steps out with Adidas

    Sportswear label Adidas has collaborated with confectionery brand M&M’s to launch a limited-edition sneaker called Originals Forum Lo 84, inspired by the chocolate brand’s distinctive packaging.

    The sneakers feature a yellow rubberized leather complemented by bounded TPU 3-Stripes branding and a high heel. Both are drawn on M&M’s Peanut variant packaging. The “M” letter is perforated on both toe boxes and a removable M&M’s brand flag is attached to the lacing.

    In addition, each pair of sneakers comes with a set of accessories: six pairs of laces, 19-lace jewels, three pairs of alternative straps and seven different Velcro chocolate candy lentils.

    According to Adidas, the sneakers are also packaged in a bright yellow co-branded box inspired by the famous M&M’s Peanut variant packaging to fit the playful look.

    “The M&M’s brand has long been committed to bringing people together by creating colorful fun for all, as part of our mission to create a word where everyone feels they belong,” said Jane Hwang, global marketing VP at Mars Wrigley.

    “Mars is proud to celebrate fans from all communities through this collaboration, which is also customizable, allowing sneaker and candy fans … personal expression.”

    The new Adidas sneakers Originals Forum Lo 84 M&M’s are available to purchase globally through the Adidas website and from selected retailers.

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  • Google is allegedly resurrecting Google Wallet, but not the way we think

    Google is allegedly resurrecting Google Wallet, but not the way we think

    Google Wallet could be making a comeback, but it won’t be the way we think On Twitter, Esper’s Senior Technical Editor, Mishaal Rahman, posted that Google Wallet is coming back from the dead, not as a standalone app, but as a “Wallet” interface within Google Play Services. The goal of the change is to provide a way to access and manage your payment, transit, and other cards that are part of your digital wallet.

    But wait, isn’t Google Pay already doing that? Yeah, it does. According to Rahman, you will continue to use Google Pay to make payments, and Wallet will be where you will keep your cards.

    But how will you access this Wallet interface? From Rahman’s screenshots, we assume that the new UI will be accessible directly from the Google Pay app. Also, one of the screenshots says, “learn how passes in your Wallet will appear across Google.” This may mean that the cards stored in Wallet could be accessible on other Google services as well.

    In 2011, Google created Google Wallet to function as an NFC payment app and as a place to store your digital cards. But in 2018, it combined Google Wallet and Android Pay and created Google Pay. From there on, Google Pay became the app for making NFC payments and the place from which you can manage your digital wallet.

    So, if Google Pay already does this, then why bring Wallet back? It seems like a branding choice to make it more obvious which UI does what. Google Pay would be strictly the service we use for payments. And there will be the Google Wallet, where we can manage payment cards, loyalty cards, vouchers, and tickets.

    This push to bring back the Wallet branding may also indicate that Google is planning to enhance its functionality — who knows, maybe support for driver’s licenses a-la Apple Wallet?

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  • Lazada to highlight 5000 eco-friendly products in LazEarth campaign

    Lazada to highlight 5000 eco-friendly products in LazEarth campaign

    E-commerce platform Lazada has grouped 5000 products with sustainability credentials in a new section of its LazMall to encourage shoppers to buy items that are friendly to the planet.

    The goods, from some 70 brands, mainly span the fashion and FMCG categories and are made, packed, or shipped with reduced plastics, or materials better for Earth.

    Unveiling its LazEarth campaign, Lazada says it wants to encourage a reduction in plastic waste in both products and packaging, given Southeast Asia consumes an estimated 31 million tonnes or more of plastic waste each year. Recognising that consumers in the region are becoming concerned about plastic waste, Lazada believes the campaign will make it easier for people to identify and source environmentally friendly products.

    Lazada will also work with LazMall brands and partners to expand their offer of eco-friendly products.

    “As digital commerce continues to be one of the key growth drivers in Southeast Asia, it is crucial for companies to place sustainability at the core of their strategies to build stronger and greener economies,” said Magnus Ekbom, chief strategy officer at Lazada Group.

    “The LazEarth campaign is part of Lazada’s ongoing efforts to address plastic waste and help our buyers make informed decisions about sustainable products.”

    Lazada has offered greener packaging through its Fulfilment by Lazada (FBL) service for the partnering brands since 2011. The brand also partners and makes social initiatives to build a sustainable digital commerce ecosystem in Southeast Asia.

    “As part of our commitment to build a lasting digital commerce business in Southeast Asia, we recognise that sustainability and value creation will become increasingly important to our long-term success,” said James Chang, chief business officer of Lazada Group

    “With the launch of LazEarth, we look forward to forging more collaborative partnerships and green initiatives that will empower our brands, partners and consumers to collectively create responsible and sustainable shopping and consumption habits.”

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  • TPBank eyes 36-percent hike in profits

    TPBank eyes 36-percent hike in profits

    Private lender TPBank expects its pre-tax profits to top VND8.2 trillion ($358 million) this year, up 36 percent from 2021.

    It also targets a 20 percent increase in assets to VND350 trillion.

    The bank plans a rights issue of 527 million shares this year to raise VND5.3 trillion and increase its charter capital to VND21 trillion.

    VnDirect Securities has forecast 25 percent growth for TPBank this year, higher than the 20 percent expected for the sector.

    BaoViet Securities has forecast its compounded annual growth rate to top 31.4 percent in 2020-22 and return on average equity (ROAE) in the period of 24.8 percent.

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  • Singapore sneaker reseller Ox Street to launch in Australia, NZ

    Singapore sneaker reseller Ox Street to launch in Australia, NZ

    Singapore-based online sneaker resale marketplace Ox Street is launching a trans-Tasman expansion, opening an e-commerce store in Australia.

    “Australia is a perfect fit for the community we want to build in the long-term,” said Gijs Verheijke, founder and CEO at Ox Street. “We see a big supply gap when it comes to Australian buyers having access to the most coveted sneakers, whether they’re hot new drops or all-time classics.”

    Verheijke said the company, which was acquired by Carousell last October, has already built a large network of resellers across Australia and New Zealand during the past few years. Ox Street said the emphasis is on enabling faster delivery times and greater access to supply in an industry dominated by US and European megabrands.

    The Australasian launch is part of Ox Street’s ambition to build a “global hub for sneakerheads,” Verheijke said. The company’s short term plan is to build brand equity and a large part of that is being trusted to robustly authenticate the products before they reach buyers.

    Founded in 2019, Ox Street operates across eight Southeast Asian countries, targeting Gen Y and Z investors, collectors and fashion-conscious consumers. The brand reported sales growth surging more than four-fold during the past year.

    As part of the Australia launch, Ox Street has partnered with Sneaker Freaker in an Instagram-based sneaker giveaway worth more than $2000.

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  • Uniqlo owner sees big profit drop in China due to Covid restrictions

    Uniqlo owner sees big profit drop in China due to Covid restrictions

    Clothing brand Uniqlo’s Japanese owner said on Thursday its China operation would report a large profit decline in the current fiscal year owing to the country’s Covid-19 restrictions.

    Fast Retailing < is a bellwether for how major global retailers are being impacted by Covid-related shutdowns in China, one of the biggest growth markets for many Western brands.

    China is Fast Retailing’s biggest foreign market, with 863 stores on the mainland and almost 90 outlets in Shanghai, where stringent lockdown measures, introduced in late March, remain in place to contain the country’s worst outbreak of the pandemic.

    The fast fashion retailer said it expects revenue declines and a large drop in profit in its Greater China segment in the second half and for the whole of fiscal 2022 due to Covid restrictions.

    Sales in Greater China region which includes Hong Kong and Taiwan struggled in March, as up to 133 stores were temporarily shut down.

    Fast Retailing has more Uniqlo stores in China than in its home market of Japan. It opened a flagship store in Beijing in November, its third megastore in mainland China, and plans to open 100 locations in the country each year going forward.

    The weakening yen and higher costs for raw materials and shipping have forced Fast Retailing to consider price hikes, a major shift for a company that has long competed on the inexpensiveness of basic items like socks and underwear.

    The company reported a record half-year profit on Thursday, buoyed by sales growth in North America, Europe, and other parts of Asia, while revenue and profit declined in China.

    Operating profit climbed 18 per cent to 189 billion yen ($1.51 billion) in the six months through February from a year earlier.

    The company maintained its full-year profit forecast at 270 billion yen. That compares with a consensus forecast for a

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  • Android TV 13 might reduce power consumption for smart TVs

    Android TV 13 might reduce power consumption for smart TVs

    With Android 13 on the way, we’re expecting many important new features to arrive on all devices that are part of the ecosystem, not just smartphones and tablets. Cars and TVs that use Google’s OS are likely to receive their fair share of improvements too, including some that might reduce consumption.

    Obviously, your car won’t consume less fuel or electricity for using Android Auto, but your smart TV might, at least according to a new report by Esper’s Mishaal Rahman. Apparently, Android TV 13 will include a new “low power standby” mode that will prevent some functions to keep running in the background when your smart TV is in standby mode.

    While the low power standby mode is enabled, wakelocks are disabled and network access is blocked. The feature will be disabled by default just in case you want to continue to receive notifications while your smart TV is in standby mode.

    In the same piece of news, the cited report highlights another interesting improvement that Android TV 13 is expected to bring to smart TVs: expanded Picture-in-Picture (PiP) mode. With Android 13 TV, PiP windows can be set to less than 1:2.39 or bigger than 2.39:1. Also, despite the fact that Android TV does not support multi-window features except from PiP, Android TV 13 might actually add a “pseudo-split-screen” mode with docked, expanded PiP windows.

  • Tesla, VW, SAIC Look To Recommence Shanghai Operations

    Tesla, VW, SAIC Look To Recommence Shanghai Operations

    Tesla VW and SAIC are among several companies that are looking to get production back up and running at their Shanghai facilities after almost three weeks of COVID-19 related shutdowns. The news comes following Beijing having drawn up a “whitelist” of companies prioritised to re-open or keep operations going in Shanghai. The list included a number of companies ranging from carmakers to semiconductor manufacturers and medical firms.

    As per Reuters, Tesla had already recalled workers to its Shanghai factory where they would be required to live on-site. The company had planned to commence production today though it has now been deferred to tomorrow citing logistical issues from a supplier. SAIC Motor meanwhile reported that it was commencing stress testing from Monday with an eye on recommencing production while VW said it was evaluating the feasibility of resuming production at its SAIC joint venture.

    However, with COVID-related closures in other cities in the country, it remains to be seen how manufacturers work around supply chain disruptions.

    Shanghai meanwhile aims to stop the spread of COVID-19 outside of quarantined areas by Wednesday with reports saying that the city had stepped up testing measures and transfer positive cases and their close contacts to isolation.

    Companies are being required to ensure ‘closed loops’ for workers being called into work while also maintaining medical supplies. Under ‘closed loops’ employers have been asked to minimise employee exposure to others while transiting to work or arranging for employees to live on their factory premises.

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  • YouTube Shorts are finally coming to iPads and Android tablets

    YouTube Shorts are finally coming to iPads and Android tablets

    Social media apps borrow features from each other all the time to keep up with the trends. Snapchat, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube have been adding new features that have similar functionalities for a long time, something that has become very common in the last couple of years for many other industries.

    Introduced back in 2020, Shorts, YouTube’s take on TikTok’s short-form videos, have amassed five trillion total views as of January 2022. The number includes all platforms where YouTube Shorts are available such as Android phones and laptops but does not include tablets, which don’t support the feature.

    However, YouTube fans will be happy to know that Shorts will soon be coming to Android and iOS tablets. Although they won’t be available on both platforms at the same time, at least we know YouTube plans to make them available on tablets too sooner rather than later.

    According to YouTube, the Shorts option should be rolled out on YouTube’s apps for Android and iOS tablets “in the coming weeks.” Once the new feature will go live, tablet users should see a Shorts tab within the YouTube app. More details about how to create a Short using a song from YouTube’s library are available on the support page.

  • Stocks plunge to 11-week low

    Stocks plunge to 11-week low

    Vietnam’s benchmark VN-Index started off the week in the red with a 1.25 percent drop to 1,440.23 points Monday morning, the lowest in 11 weeks.

    The index fell by 17 points as of 11:06 a.m. after ending in the red in four out of the last six sessions.

    The main bourse Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange (HoSE) saw 361 tickers in the red and 107 in the green.

    Brokerages have forecast earlier that the market would drop in the short term.

    The VN30 basket, comprising the 30 largest capped stocks, saw 15 tickers in the red, with SSI of leading brokerage SSI Securities Corporation falling 4.5 percent to the lowest since August last year.

    VHM of real estate giant Vinhomes dropped 3.4 percent, the lowest in over a year.

    Other losers included CTG of state-owned lender VietinBank, down 3.5 percent, MBB of lender MB, down 2.7 percent, and VIC of biggest private conglomerate Vingroup, down 2.9 percent. Fourteen blue chips bucked the trend, with PNJ of Phu Nhuan Jewelry rising 3.2 percent and FPT of IT giant FPT Corporation gaining 2.2 percent. Both were at new peaks.

    They were followed by SAB of brewer Sabeco, up 2 percent, and TPB of private TPBank, up 1.6 percent.

    Foreign investors are buying the dips with a VND88 billion net purchase, focusing on DPM of Petrovietnam Fertilizer & Chemicals Corporation and NLG of real estate developer Nam Long Investment Corp.

    The HNX-Index for stocks on the Hanoi Stock Exchange, home to mid and small caps, was losing 2.51 percent, while the UPCoM-Index for the Unlisted Public Companies Market was losing 1.5 percent.

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  • Singtel and Telkom forge deeper ties in regional data centres and fixed broadband

    Singtel and Telkom forge deeper ties in regional data centres and fixed broadband

    Singtel and its Indonesian partner Telkom, the parent company of Singtel’s regional associate Telkomsel, have signed two memoranda of understanding (MOU) which was witnessed by Indonesia’s minister of state-owned enterprises Erick Thohir and vice minister of state-owned enterprises Kartika Wirjoatmodjo. The first of the two MOUs covers collaboration in the area of data centres, which marks a significant step in advancing Singtel’s regional data centre strategy. The second MOU involves a collaboration to support Telkomsel’s transformation into Indonesia’s leading consumer fixed broadband and mobile operator through a fixed mobile convergence strategy with Telkom.

    Expansion of regional data centre footprint to Indonesia

    To capture growth opportunities arising from the unprecedented digitalisation and cloud adoption in ASEAN, Singtel has focused on establishing a data centre platform that will work with partners to build and acquire data centres in the region. ASEAN has been experiencing robust data centre growth and the Singapore and Indonesia markets are projected to more than double in size, accounting for over 60% of regional growth by 2025.

    As strategic partners for over two decades, this move into data centres expands on the close collaboration between Singtel and Telkom to build out Indonesia’s mobile communications and digital infrastructure.

    Singtel Group CEO Yuen Kuan Moon said, “As businesses rapidly digitalise, and with the growing adoption of IoT, artificial intelligence and 5G across the region, demand for high-quality data centres is on the rise. This partnership with Telkom is an important step for our data centre strategy, bringing together the prime assets, expertise and networks of two market leaders in data centre operations in Indonesia and Singapore. As the largest digital economy in ASEAN, Indonesia is a strategic data centre market which expands our platform’s footprint to cover the three fastest-growing locations in the region – Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand. The platform will support the digital transformation needs of customers wanting to deploy into Indonesia, and Indonesian businesses looking to grow beyond the country. We look forward to deepening our longstanding collaboration with Telkom to capitalise on the favourable trends and tremendous market opportunity.”

    Telkom CEO Ririek Adriansyah said, “Telkom Group is currently consolidating our data centre business to answer the challenges of digital transformation. The regional data centre platform is a continuation of this data centre consolidation strategy and demonstrates our commitment to respond to customer needs and capture opportunities that will pave the way for our company to become a data centre player on a global level. These efforts require strategic partnerships with operators who have proven capabilities and track records. With its strengths and experience, Singtel is one of the strategic partners for Telkom in developing this regional data centre business.”

    Singtel is a leading operator of data centres in Singapore and has carved out its top-tier data centres, DC West and Kim Chuan 2, into a separate Singtel-owned entity with approximately 60 MW of capacity. In addition to securing a site in Tuas for a new integrated cable landing and data centre facility which will be ready in three to four years and add 30-40 MW in capacity, Singtel will continue to explore adding further capacity.

    An experienced data centre operator, Telkom has an existing data centre portfolio of 27 data centres in Indonesia and the region. It is also building a hyperscale data centre with 75 MW capacity to serve local and foreign companies and hyperscalers. Selected data centre assets from Telkom will be placed in the data centre platform. The companies will also collaborate on development opportunities and explore bringing third-party investors or partners into the platform.

    Besides Indonesia, Singtel has set its sights on the Thai data centre market. In February, Singtel signed a joint development agreement with Gulf Energy and Singtel’s regional associate AIS to start developing data centres in Thailand, and the new joint venture will be launched soon.

    Fixed mobile convergence strategy

    Singtel and Telkom will also jointly explore a fixed mobile convergence strategy for Telkomsel which will see an integration of its mobile business with Telkom’s consumer fixed broadband business. By combining the strengths of the two companies, Telkomsel will be able to enjoy significant synergies and enhance its leading position in the market with converged solutions that will give customers the best digital experience. This strategy will strengthen customer value proposition, in turn increasing customer lifetime value and household penetration.

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  • These are the Top Countries in Asia for Passionate Gamblers

    These are the Top Countries in Asia for Passionate Gamblers

    Gambling is a very popular pastime in the modern world. There are many reasons for this. Entertainment is the main reason, however. Different cultures, traditions, and lifestyles exist around the globe. Most people admit to enjoying gambling games such as poker, slots, and roulette.

    People also enjoy traveling. All of us have the desire to travel the world and see many places. We are often limited by time and circumstances that make it impossible to travel as much as our hearts desire. Every trip you plan must be flawless. If you love gambling, Asia is the place for you.

    All across Asia, gambling is growing in popularity. When it comes time spent. However, the industry of gambling is still developing. Online casinos such as Fun88 Thailand allow people to gamble from their home. The trend will likely continue for the next few years.

    It is not our intention to suggest that the countries on this list can only provide entertainment. These countries also have rich traditions and histories, many monuments to see, beautiful views, and so on. These places are worth visiting, even if the day is over. We have highlighted five Asian casino destinations that are worth your attention. Each will provide you with a memorable and enjoyable gambling experience.

    Macau

    Many will agree that Macau is Asia’s gambling capital. One thing is certain. You’ve probably fantasized about visiting Las Vegas, one of the most famous casinos in the world. Macau is Asia’s Las Vegas, or at least that’s what many people believe.

    Another reason you will be surprised is the wide variety of choices. You can play different games at casinos such as MGM, Grand Lisboa and The Venetian. There are smaller casinos that offer the same entertainment but fewer games. These can be great for players who prefer to play in peace and quiet. However, we cannot guarantee that you will find the same in larger ones.

    Thailand

    Most people who have been to Thailand would be surprised that this country is included on this list.Thailand’s gambling laws are quite specific. Due to government laws. The casino relies heavily on tourists. But that doesn’t mean gambling has become a non-popular pastime. Online casinos at 88thaicasino.com will be more popular with all citizens of the state. There are many options for them when it comes to casino sites. Online casinos offer a variety of games, decent bonuses and attractive designs.

    Philippines

    Remember the Macau comment? We can now say that the Philippines is gradually becoming the largest competitor. The Resorts World Manila is a good example. It is the most visited casino resort, welcoming thousands of players every day. It is also the first to open in this country. There are nearly 300 live gaming tables and more than 1500 machines.

    You can still visit other resorts with the same quality. Resorts World Bayshore and City of Dreams are just a few of the places worth your attention.

    Singapore

    Although we don’t want to deny that there are many casinos, it is not true. We believe that everyone will agree on the importance of quality over quantity. We will still need to emphasize this point.

    We recommend that you investigate the Singapore gambling laws. You won’t be able to travel to certain places if you don’t have the necessary documents to prove your identity. You will need to pay a fee for most casinos. The fee may not exceed $150 per day in some cases. You can pay a yearly fee, which is usually around $3000.

    South Korea

    Gambling is prohibited, it’s true. This rule applies only to local players. You have the right to visit the most prestigious casinos in the world if you are visiting the country as a tourist.

    Paradise Walker Hill Casino is a popular casino in Seoul. Although the casino isn’t huge, you can enjoy different games such as Blackjack, Roullete and Tai-Sai.

    Conclusion

    Las Vegas is a great place to visit, but it’s not the only one. You will find that there are many countries in Asia that can provide you with great gambling experiences. The future of Asian gambling is in countries like Macau, Malaysia, and the Philippines. What do you think? Which one seems the most appealing?

     

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