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Tag: broadband

  • Asia Pacific Fixed Wireless Connections to Reach 50 Million by 2031

    Asia Pacific Fixed Wireless Connections to Reach 50 Million by 2031

    Fixed wireless access (FWA) connections across the Asia Pacific will reach 50 million by 2031, rising from 28 million in 2026 as telecom operators expand 5G-based broadband services to areas lacking fiber infrastructure.

    Data analytics firm GlobalData projects the regional FWA market will expand at a compound annual growth rate of 12.5 per cent over the period. Adoption will be driven by rising demand for high-speed home internet, expanding 5G coverage, and persistent gaps in fixed-network reach across rural and underserved areas.

    Telecommunications providers, including Malaysia’s U Mobile and Indonesia’s MyRepublic Indonesia, are rolling out wireless broadband over 5G to connect households and businesses without physical fiber access.

    Bypassing the Digging Costs

    Laying physical glass into individual premises remains expensive. Wireless broadband delivers connections into homes and shops using rooftop or window receivers pointed at nearby mobile towers.

    Operators use this architecture to sign up residential customers and retail businesses that fiber networks bypassed. Malaysia’s U Mobile and Indonesia’s MyRepublic Indonesia are both expanding wireless broadband offers built on 5G infrastructure. Thailand’s AIS and New Zealand’s One NZ also sell fixed wireless connections to households and merchants needing quick installation without waiting for utility contractors.

    Sellers Add Bandwidth Demand

    Home demand centres on video streaming, remote working, online education, and connected household hardware. Merchant demand is shifting just as quickly.

    Small and mid-sized enterprises across the region require reliable links for cloud inventory software, digital point-of-sale terminals, and video conferencing. Plug-and-play receivers let shop owners start processing digital transactions without waiting weeks for fixed-line technicians to pull cables through conduits.

    Carrier Monetisation Pressures

    Telecom operators across Asia secured 5G spectrum and erected base stations. Consumer mobile phone plans failed to generate high enough average revenue per user to pay those networks off on their own.

    Fixed wireless gives carriers a second cash stream from the same radio towers without laying neighborhood distribution cables. Operators in India, New Zealand, and Hong Kong lead this network spending push, packaging broadband with tiered speeds, assigned data pools, and bundled digital subscriptions.

    Filling the Fixed Gaps

    Fixed wireless will run alongside underground fiber rather than replace it entirely in dense commercial districts. Fiber retains higher overall capacity, but wireless links solve the final-mile problem across dispersed suburban developments and island archipelagos.

    Carriers now compete on how quickly they can activate these accounts. The benchmark to track is whether operators hit the 28 million regional baseline projected for 2026 before accelerating toward the 50 million mark in 2031.

  • India Signs BharatNet Deal for 500,000 Rural Fiber Connections

    India Signs BharatNet Deal for 500,000 Rural Fiber Connections

    India’s Department of Telecommunications signed a BharatNet utilization agreement with the Tamil Nadu government and Tamil Nadu FibreNet Corporation on October 30, 2026. The pact provides financial subsidy support for more than 500,000 rural home fiber connections under the Amended BharatNet Programme.

    Arrangements under the agreement establish on-demand broadband connectivity across 4,767 villages in Tamil Nadu. Central government financial support will flow directly through Digital Bharat Nidhi.

    The initiative relies on existing BharatNet infrastructure to accelerate last-mile FTTH deployment and raise network utilization. The formal signing marks an implementation milestone rather than completed household connections.

    Subsidies Target Village Fiber Links

    The tripartite structure relies on Tamil Nadu FibreNet Corporation to manage regional access while central authorities foot part of the capital load. Digital Bharat Nidhi provides the financial buffer needed to bring optical connections into low-density rural settlements where private internet service providers refuse to build on commercial terms alone.

    The pact serves as an execution framework rather than immediate subscriber delivery. The government has not disclosed the subsidy amount, construction expenditure, additional fiber kilometers or activation timetable.

    The Race for Rural Digital Wallets

    Broadband access across nearly 5,000 Tamil Nadu villages will alter how consumer brands and retail platforms handle rural distribution. Fast home internet reduces reliance on patchy mobile data, encouraging rural households to adopt digital banking, commerce apps, and local service platforms.

    Private telecom operators face a shifting competitive field across the state. While commercial carriers focus investments on urban fiber lines and mobile capacity, a subsidized state network opens wholesale bandwidth that independent regional operators and local cable providers can use to sell retail broadband directly to homes.

    Delivery Gaps Across BharatNet

    The push under the amended national scheme follows years of slow execution across earlier BharatNet phases. Previous attempts to link village councils stumbled over right-of-way disputes, equipment shortages, and damaged trunk lines that left laid cables unlit for years.

    By involving the state-level agency directly, the telecommunications ministry aims to bypass bureaucratic bottlenecks between federal planners and district administrations. Whether Tamil Nadu FibreNet Corporation can maintain field hardware and maintain uptime across 4,767 villages without ballooning operating costs is the operational question that remains unanswered.

    What to Watch Next

    Contractors and state agencies must now issue procurement tenders for optical network terminals and domestic drop cables. The first test of the program will come when the ministry publishes initial village activation counts and subsidy disbursement figures for the upcoming fiscal quarter.

  • Converge ICT Lifts Capital Spending to PHP20 Billion to Challenge PLDT

    Converge ICT Lifts Capital Spending to PHP20 Billion to Challenge PLDT

    Converge ICT will raise capital spending by 13 percent this year to PHP20 billion as founders Dennis Anthony and Maria Grace Uy push fiber networks into remote Philippine provinces.

    The expansion targets residential and corporate connectivity in areas beyond Metro Manila, where the operator already serves more than 3 million home subscribers and generates PHP44.8 billion in annual revenue.

    That subscriber base gives the company about one-third of the domestic broadband market, placing it ahead of Globe Telecom and second only to market leader PLDT. Dennis Anthony Uy acts as chief executive officer, while Maria Grace Uy serves as president, managing finance and network rollout budgets.

    Expanding Provincial Fiber Reach

    Capital deployed across the business since 2012 exceeds PHP120 billion, funding a terrestrial network that spans more than 900,000 kilometers of fiber-optic cabling. The network was constructed as a pure end-to-end fiber system, bypassing the legacy copper infrastructure maintained by older telecom incumbents.

    Most customer additions now originate outside the capital region. Provincial demand for home broadband and commercial links continues to outpace urban centers where household connectivity has reached saturation.

    To support corporate clients and regional traffic, the company completed a PHP5-billion data center in Angeles City, Pampanga, in March. The facility provides an initial capacity of 12 megawatts, with physical floor space engineered to scale up to 32 megawatts as client workloads grow.

    Pressure on Household Wallets

    Telecom infrastructure in the archipelago faces structural margin pressure from elevated inflation, which squeezes low-income household budgets and slows new fiber sign-ups. For consumer-facing businesses and digital platforms, broadband penetration outside the capital dictates how quickly online shopping and digital payments can expand.

    Retail banks and retail platforms require stable fixed-line connectivity in second-tier cities to support decentralized distribution networks. If household churn rises because families cut discretionary subscriptions, operators must rely on enterprise data traffic and enterprise hosting to protect returns on heavy fiber assets.

    Market valuation has contracted alongside that consumer belt-tightening. Company shares dropped approximately 40 percent this year, reducing the founders’ combined equity valuation to $850 million from an earlier peak of $2.8 billion.

    From Cable Roots to Public Markets

    Dennis Anthony Uy started the underlying operations in 1991 by building a cable television network from his family home in Pampanga, which led to the creation of ComClark Network and Technology six years later. Converge started as a subsidiary in 2007, securing rights to lay lines for Global Destiny Cable before constructing proprietary infrastructure across Pampanga and neighboring provinces and entering Manila in 2013.

    Commercial banks initially balked at funding national expansion when the company counted just 73,000 subscribers in 2016. The founders mortgaged personal family real estate to fund buildouts until private equity investor Warburg Pincus injected $225 million in 2019.

    That private capital carried the operator into an initial public offering on the Philippine Stock Exchange during 2020. The listing raised more than $500 million, capitalizing on stay-at-home demand during the pandemic as the customer register soared to 1.7 million subscribers in 2021.

    Next Steps for Enterprise Capacity

    Management is directing the next phase of capital toward public-sector IT contracts and enterprise cloud services to diversify revenue away from residential billing. The target is closing the gap with PLDT, which counts backing from Indonesian tycoon Anthoni Salim.

    Watch the Angeles City data center absorption rate over the coming quarters as enterprise clients take up power racks. The key test will be whether enterprise contracts can absorb the company’s PHP20 billion annual network spend while consumer broadband additions slow.

  • India Average Monthly Mobile Data Usage Passes 31 GB per User

    India Average Monthly Mobile Data Usage Passes 31 GB per User

    Indian mobile broadband subscribers consumed an average of over 31 GB of data per month in 2025, lifted by faster 5G network rollouts and cheaper handsets.

    The figure represents an 18 percent compound annual growth rate over the last five years, according to Nokia’s 13th annual Mobile Broadband Index.

    Total mobile data traffic nationwide crossed 27 exabytes per month in 2025. Fifth-generation network traffic expanded 70 percent year-on-year to hit 12.9 exabytes, generating nearly 47 percent of the total volume carried across Indian carrier networks. Demand centered heavily on video streaming in 4K resolution, cloud gaming platforms, and emerging artificial intelligence applications that require higher bandwidth.

    Metros Lead Fifth-Generation Shift

    Metro telecom circles generated the heaviest concentration of new demand. Fifth-generation networks accounted for 58 percent of all mobile data traffic in metro areas during 2025, up from the prior year. Traffic volume expanded in Category A, Category B, and Category C telecom circles as operators built out base stations beyond tier-one cities.

    Handset adoption accelerated alongside the infrastructure buildout. Active 4G devices in India reached 892 million units in 2025, with more than 383 million of those units supporting 5G connectivity. Over 90 percent of all smartphones shipped across India during 2025 arrived 5G-capable from the factory floor, allowing carriers to shift traffic from legacy bands without subsidizing hardware directly.

    Network Upgrades for Artificial Intelligence

    Carriers are now reconfiguring network backbones to handle heavier uplink loads and lower latency requirements created by distributed computing tasks. Artificial intelligence features integrated directly into consumer applications require faster two-way data transfer than traditional video consumption, which relies primarily on download capacity.

    Nokia country manager-designate for India Vibha Mehra pointed to shifting network requirements as artificial intelligence adoption spreads among mobile users.

    India’s mobile broadband landscape is entering a new phase of evolution, driven by rapid 5G adoption and the growing influence of AI-led applications. As networks transform to support new usage patterns and intelligent services, Nokia remains committed to partnering with telcos to build scalable, high-performance and future-ready connectivity infrastructure.

    Enterprise Pressure on Carrier Returns

    Surging data consumption does not translate automatically into proportional revenue growth for Indian telecom operators. Carriers spent heavily on 5G spectrum auctions and nationwide cell site upgrades over the past three years, yet average revenue per user remains among the lowest of any major global economy. Operators must monetize higher data usage tiers and enterprise services to recoup infrastructure investments.

    Content delivery networks and cloud software vendors face parallel capacity pressures. Retail platforms, mobile payments systems, and digital entertainment services operating in India must optimize delivery infrastructure to serve millions of simultaneous high-bandwidth sessions without degradation during peak evening hours.

    Path to One Billion Connections

    India currently ranks as the world’s second-largest market for total 5G subscribers and total 5G data traffic volume, trailing only mainland China in absolute throughput. The rapid uptake follows aggressive network deployments started in late 2022 by major domestic operators, who rolled out coverage to thousands of towns within twenty-four months.

    Nokia projects India will pass 1 billion active 5G subscriptions by 2031 as older 4G feature phones and legacy smartphones phase out through regular upgrade cycles.

  • Jio Uses 524 Million Subscribers to Expand into Homes and Enterprise

    Jio Uses 524 Million Subscribers to Expand into Homes and Enterprise

    Jio Platforms expanded its push into home connectivity, entertainment, and enterprise services across India ahead of its upcoming quarterly subscriber reporting.

    The goal is to generate higher average revenue from its 524 million mobile subscribers, building on its top market position in nationwide mobile connections and fixed broadband.

    Controlling the Layers Beyond Connectivity

    Management wants control over the technology stack between network infrastructure and end consumers. Instead of operating purely as a carrier, the group deploys proprietary operating systems, budget hardware, and entertainment software. These tools drive subscriptions across households and workplaces.

    Hardware plays a central role in capturing entry-level users. The JioBharat handset runs the company’s proprietary JioOS operating system. That setup gives the operator direct access to millions of users on older 2G networks, turning voice-only subscribers into data consumers.

    Capturing Household and Business Spends

    Home broadband expansion builds on that base by bundling fixed wireless access, digital television, and streaming media. Jio cross-sells connected home packages to existing mobile accounts across its telecom footprint. This cuts customer acquisition costs compared to pure-play broadband rivals.

    For corporate clients, the company packages connectivity with enterprise software, cloud infrastructure, and productivity tools. The shift turns commodity data pipe contracts into integrated business deals with higher annual recurring value.

    Market Read-Across for Indian Tech and Retail

    Controlling device software and network access creates a closed ecosystem that rivals struggle to match. Competitors like Bharti Airtel invest heavily in premium 5G accounts and corporate partnerships. Even so, Jio’s base-level scale creates a captive audience for content and retail transactions.

    Across South Asia, this bundled distribution raises barriers for retail and digital operators. Outside app developers and media platforms must negotiate distribution terms with gatekeepers who control both the network pipeline and the device operating system.

    The Trajectory of Network Monetisation

    Years of heavy capital spending on nationwide 4G and 5G networks made Jio the country’s largest carrier by subscribers. The group initially used free voice calling and aggressive data pricing to grab share. It then pivoted toward digital payments, streaming content, and enterprise cloud hosting.

    Attention now shifts to conversion rates among JioBharat feature phone users when the operator reports its upcoming quarterly subscriber figures, revealing how many transition to higher-tier broadband and digital content plans.

  • India Telecom Base Hits 1.33 Billion Users as Broadband Surges Past 1 Billion

    India Telecom Base Hits 1.33 Billion Users as Broadband Surges Past 1 Billion

    India’s telecommunication network reached 1,337.54 million total telephone subscribers as national teledensity climbed to 90.28 per cent.

    Wireless accounts drove nearly the entire base at 1,288.96 million connections, while fixed-line subscriptions stood at 48.58 million.

    The network added a net 6.95 million telephone users in a single month, taking total broadband subscribers across wireline and wireless infrastructure to 1,073.44 million. Wireless broadband accounts for 1,026.60 million of those users, with fixed wireline connections supplying the remaining 46.84 million lines. Gross adjusted revenue generated across the country’s communications market totaled 229,071 crore rupees, or approximately 24 billion US dollars.

    Urban Penetration and Rural Expansion

    Urban centres recorded a teledensity of 152.11 per cent across 783.12 million subscribers, reflecting widespread dual-SIM adoption and concentrated commercial use. Rural regions accounted for 554.41 million telephone users, posting a teledensity of 60.74 per cent. The gap between city hubs and provincial districts continues to define network investment priorities for carriers upgrading optical fibre and microwave transmission infrastructure.

    Core transmission routes rely on microwave radio relay setups alongside optical fibre deployments, connecting digital exchanges and media gateways across state boundaries. The terrestrial footprint links into the Indian National Satellite System to secure coverage across remote terrain.

    Broadband Growth and Economic Scale

    Data access now dominates carrier operations, supported by spectrum allocations and coordination through the ITU-APT Foundation of India. Commercial telecom networks direct capital into network switching subsystems and signalling gateways to handle expanding digital payments and e-governance traffic. Sector operations also support broader economic activity, with trade group GSMA previously tracking direct and indirect sector employment in the millions.

    Future subscriber additions depend on converting the remaining non-broadband wireless base and expanding rural fixed-line reach beyond the current 48.58 million wired lines.

  • Reliance Jio Holds 506 Million Users but Trails in 11 Indian Circles

    Reliance Jio Holds 506 Million Users but Trails in 11 Indian Circles

    Reliance Jio reached 506 million mobile subscribers across India while trailing regional rivals in 11 of the country’s 22 telecom service circles.

    The split highlights how regional competition remains stubborn across key states even as the operator dominates aggregate national numbers.

    Regional Market Share Dynamics

    India divides its telecom market into 22 operational circles covering distinct states and metropolitan areas. Jio leads in half of those service areas, driven by heavy nationwide mobile broadband rollout. In the other 11 circles, competing operators retain the top rank through entrenched distribution channels and long-standing subscriber bases.

    Gaining ground in secondary and rural circles requires continuous capital expenditure on base stations and fiber links. Jio has focused its standalone 5G deployment to challenge rival networks where earlier market entrants built strong local brand loyalty.

    The Battle for Secondary Circles

    Across Asian telecommunications, aggregate national subscriber leads frequently mask localized market splits where regional operators protect user share and pricing power. Similar dynamics play out in markets like Indonesia and the Philippines, where provincial dominance often resists nationwide network rollouts.

    Jio now faces the operational test of lifting its rank across those 11 remaining circles as Indian operators push to convert network capacity into higher average revenue per user.

  • Nifty Opens Pre-Orders for 4.2Gbps WiMAX 5G Mobile Broadband in Japan

    Nifty Opens Pre-Orders for 4.2Gbps WiMAX 5G Mobile Broadband in Japan

    Japanese internet service provider Nifty opened pre-orders for its @nifty WiMAX +5G broadband package, delivering theoretical download speeds of up to 4.2Gbps across Japan.

    The service operates as both fixed-wireless home internet and portable mobile connectivity without requiring physical fiber installation in the premises.

    Network Speeds and Usage Limits

    Users receive unmetered monthly data allowances across the WiMAX network footprint. Nifty maintains standard network controls, reserving the ability to throttle throughput during periods of severe network congestion or exceptionally heavy data consumption.

    The Push for Fixed-Wireless Access

    Japanese broadband operators increasingly pitch high-speed 5G fixed-wireless access as a friction-free alternative to traditional fiber connections in urban apartments and rental properties. Eliminating technician visits and wall drilling cuts consumer onboarding times to the arrival of the hardware, intensifying competition against fixed-line incumbents.

    Pre-orders are open now, with commercial service activation and device shipments scheduled to begin in late October.

  • India Telecom Base Hits 1.35 Billion as 5G Fixed Wireless Expands

    India Telecom Base Hits 1.35 Billion as 5G Fixed Wireless Expands

    India’s total telephone subscriber base expanded by 6.20 million connections in July 2026 to reach 1.35 billion, according to data from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India.

    Monthly growth of 0.46 per cent lifted overall wireless subscriptions to 1.31 billion, while wireline connections ticked up 0.39 per cent to 48.01 million. National wireless tele-density crossed a key threshold, rising from 89.71 per cent in June to 90.04 per cent. Urban mobile connections climbed 0.57 per cent during the month, outpacing rural mobile subscriber growth of 0.24 per cent.

    Concentration in broadband access

    Broadband lines reached 1.094 billion at the end of July, up from 1.09 billion in June. Mobile wireless remains the primary access route for consumers, representing 1.03 billion connections after growing 0.59 per cent. Fixed wired lines rose 0.90 per cent to 48.14 million.

    Five operators control 98.59 per cent of the broadband market. Reliance Jio retained the lead with 535.12 million subscribers, followed by Bharti Airtel at 384.23 million. Vodafone Idea held third place with 129.96 million users, while state-run BSNL and Atria Convergence Technologies followed with 27.28 million and 2.47 million connections, respectively.

    Rural adoption of 5G fixed wireless

    Fixed wireless access outpaced traditional connectivity categories, climbing 2.60 per cent month-on-month to 18.84 million lines. Within that segment, 5G-based fixed wireless subscriptions reached 13.21 million, up from 12.94 million in June after adding 272,820 connections.

    Rural households accounted for 50.31 per cent of all 5G fixed wireless connections, slightly ahead of the 49.69 per cent recorded across urban centers. The split indicates that operators are relying on wireless broadband to bypass physical fiber bottlenecks outside major metropolitan areas.

    Subscriber switching remained high across the country, with 15.98 million users submitting mobile number portability requests in July. Uttar Pradesh East generated the highest churn volume with 2.29 million porting requests, followed by Uttar Pradesh West at 1.55 million.

  • Starlink Pioneers Direct-to-Cell Satellite Trials in Malaysia: APAC Satellite-Mobile Connectivity Skyrockets

    Starlink Pioneers Direct-to-Cell Satellite Trials in Malaysia: APAC Satellite-Mobile Connectivity Skyrockets

    In an effort to enhance mobile coverage in remote areas, Starlink has suggested a trial of its direct-to-cell (D2C) satellite service in Malaysia. The concept of satellite-to-mobile connectivity is gathering pace in the Asia Pacific region, paving the way for better access to communication networks.

    Technological Leap for Remote Connectivity

    Malaysia’s Communications Minister, Fahmi Fadzil, elucidated on the potential benefits of this initiative. He outlined the potential for satellite-based internet connectivity in remote regions, where the establishment of telecom towers is impractical due to low population density or economic constraints. He further emphasized how D2C satellite services could complement existing terrestrial networks, presenting an alternate solution to traditional tower construction that typically spans 18 to 24 months.

    Fadzil shared that Malaysia has been scrutinizing D2C technology since 2024, with intentions to introduce the service in 2026 or 2027. The proposed trial by Starlink could potentially expedite this timeline, making it a significant technological progression for the country.

    Expansion of D2C Services in Asia Pacific

    Starlink’s proposed trial in Malaysia comes on the heels of Globe Telecom’s commercial launch of Starlink Mobile in the Philippines, marking the first commercially available Starlink D2C service in Southeast Asia.

    An analysis by Ookla highlighted a significant increase in D2C service adoption across Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and the Philippines. Between July 2025 and May 2026, the number of unique devices using D2C services in these countries grew more than fivefold. The Philippines spearheaded this growth, constituting 64% of detected D2C users across the four markets by Q2 2026.

    Furthermore, Ookla’s report indicated that six commercial D2C services, all based on Starlink, are currently operational in four APAC markets. Japan’s KDDI, SoftBank, and NTT DOCOMO provide free satellite messaging, while Australia’s Telstra incorporates satellite texting in select postpaid plans. Globe Telecom made headlines by launching Southeast Asia’s inaugural commercial D2C service in June 2026.

    Questions & Answers

    What is the potential benefit of Starlink’s proposed D2C satellite service trial in Malaysia?
    The trial could enhance internet connectivity in remote areas where the installation of telecom towers is impractical due to economic constraints or minimal population.

    How does D2C technology complement existing terrestrial networks?
    D2C technology offers an alternative solution to traditional tower construction, which typically takes between 18 and 24 months. This can ensure connectivity in areas where building new mobile towers would be impractical.

    What has been the growth trend of D2C services in the Asia Pacific region?
    An Ookla report showed a more than fivefold increase in the number of devices using D2C services across Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and the Philippines from July 2025 to May 2026. The Philippines accounted for 64% of the detected D2C users by the second quarter of 2026.

  • Malaysia Boosts Digital Infrastructure with New SALAM Submarine Cable Network

    Malaysia Boosts Digital Infrastructure with New SALAM Submarine Cable Network

    Malaysia is making strides in its efforts to enhance digital connectivity within the country. The nation’s communications regulatory body is encouraging licensed telecommunications entities to consider participating in the construction of a new domestic underwater cable network.

    The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has prompted qualified license holders to indicate their interest in this groundbreaking project on July 16. They were also asked to present an initial Universal Service Plan for evaluation. The regulator requested draft proposals, however, they did not provide a final date for submissions.

    The planned network, named SALAM (Sambungan Kabel Dasar Laut MADANI), is projected to extend over 5,582 kilometers. It will consist of four submarine cable segments connecting ten landing stations scattered throughout the nation. SALAM’s primary objective is to bolster Malaysia’s internal communications infrastructure by creating a new underwater backbone that connects Peninsular Malaysia with Sabah and Sarawak.

    According to Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil, the new network is expected to eventually replace the ageing SCREAM cable system. This system has been a significant domestic link for over a decade.

    With the introduction of SALAM, the MCMC plans to further augment domestic transmission capacity. It also aims to support multiple services and industries such as nationwide 5G expansion, broadband services, cloud computing, artificial intelligence applications, data centers, and other digital industries. Funded under Malaysia’s USP framework, SALAM will assist in financing communications projects in underserved regions, with contributions sourced from qualifying telecommunications license holders.

    Oscar Ling, a Sibu Member of Parliament, applauded the project, stating that it would enhance connectivity between Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, and Sarawak. He also noted that it would help deliver more reliable internet services to communities in Sibu and across Sarawak.

    The progression of the project is contingent on the expressions of interest and draft Universal Service Plans submitted by eligible telecommunications companies. The MCMC has not yet announced when these submissions will be made public.

    Questions & Answers

    What is the aim of the SALAM network?
    The SALAM network aims to bolster Malaysia’s domestic communications infrastructure by creating a new underwater backbone that connects Peninsular Malaysia with Sabah and Sarawak.

    What services and industries will SALAM support?
    SALAM plans to support multiple services and industries such as nationwide 5G expansion, broadband services, cloud computing, artificial intelligence applications, data centers, and other digital industries.

    Who is funding the SALAM project?
    The SALAM project will be funded under Malaysia’s USP framework, which finances communication projects in underserved regions with contributions from qualifying telecommunications license holders.

  • LS Cable & System Spearheads Submarine Power Grid Expansion in Malaysia: Aims for Dominance in Booming Asia-Pacific Subsea Cable Market

    LS Cable & System Spearheads Submarine Power Grid Expansion in Malaysia: Aims for Dominance in Booming Asia-Pacific Subsea Cable Market

    The initiative’s main objective is to guarantee a reliable power supply by enlarging a 132kV-grade underwater power grid between the Malaysian peninsula and Langkawi Island, a well-known tourist hotspot.

    LS Cable & System prevailed over several international corporations to secure this second Langkawi venture, following an earlier project. The firm emphasized its capacity to manage intricate turn-key projects, supervising everything from design and material provision to installation and construction. This was over and above the basic cable supply, thus demonstrating its superior engineering proficiency.

    It is predicted that the worldwide underwater cable market will increase to KRW 34 trillion by 2030. The Asia-Pacific region, renowned for its abundant islands, is likely to be at the forefront of this surge with KRW 20 trillion. At present, Southeast Asia is diligently working on large-scale underwater power grid projects in an effort to set up the ASEAN Power Grid (APG). The primary goal of the APG is to interconnect national power infrastructures.

    LS Cable & System is poised to use this project as a stepping stone to boost its international order references and quicken its growth in the local market. The company plans to join forces with LS Marine Solution and other associates on large national projects. One example of such a project is the West Coast energy highway, for which a bidding notice is expected to be released in the first half of this year.

    LS Cable & System stated, “We are establishing credibility in the global market, built upon previous project implementation experience and our technical prowess. We are determined to strengthen our leadership in the underwater cable market by successfully executing domestic and international backbone network construction projects, leveraging our proven turn-key competencies.”

    Questions & Answers

    What is the primary goal of the project?
    The project’s main goal is to ensure a reliable power supply by expanding a 132kV-grade underwater power grid between the Malaysian peninsula and Langkawi Island.

    What is LS Cable & System’s role in the project?
    LS Cable & System is responsible for managing complex turn-key projects, including design, material supply, laying, and construction.

    What future plans does LS Cable & System have?
    LS Cable & System plans to use this project to enhance its international order references and accelerate its expansion into the domestic market. It also intends to collaborate with LS Marine Solution and other partners on large-scale national projects.

  • Unlocking Vietnam’s Digital Economy: The Transformative Impact of 5G Expansion

    Unlocking Vietnam’s Digital Economy: The Transformative Impact of 5G Expansion

    Vietnam’s burgeoning 5G network is forecasted to bolster the forthcoming wave of the nation’s digital economy. This expectation comes as local telecommunications companies hasten infrastructure development and commence the expansion of commercial and public sector applications.

    5G Infrastructure Expansion

    Viettel, Vietnam’s premier operator, has established around 30,000 5G base stations, achieving approximately 90% outdoor coverage and 70% indoor coverage. This surpasses the commitments the company made to the government. As predicted by Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology, by 2025, 5G services were widely commercialized throughout the nation, reaching over 90% of the population.

    Practical Economic Benefits

    Telecommunications providers affirm that the extended availability of 5G is already producing tangible economic advantages, particularly within rural commerce and agriculture. Since August 2025, Viettel Post has facilitated numerous livestream sales sessions in several provinces such as Thai Nguyen, Vinh Long, Bac Ninh, and Lai Chau, to assist farmers in reaching consumers across the nation.

    In Sin Ho commune, located in Lai Chau province, three livestream sessions led to more than 300 tons of yacon root being sold by local Mong farmers. According to Dinh Thanh Son, Deputy General Director of Viettel Post, the marriage of 5G connectivity and integrated logistics systems is aiding farmers in reducing their reliance on traditional intermediaries and managing price fluctuations. The existence of stable, high-speed connections allows farmers to livestream directly from production sites, while 5G-enabled Internet of Things applications are being trialed to monitor conditions such as temperature, humidity, and weather in agricultural production.

    5G Rollout and Development

    Nguyen Duy Lam, a Senior Telecommunications Solutions Expert at Huawei Vietnam, shared that the rollout of 5G in Vietnam has made rapid strides in areas like e-commerce. However, the establishment of smart city and smart factory applications will necessitate continued enterprise investment and supportive government policies.

    Nguyen Ha Thanh, Deputy General Director of Viettel Telecom, considers 5G as strategic national digital infrastructure, aligning with a specific national resolution. She believes the impact of 5G investments should be evaluated from a national viewpoint, taking into account improvements in governance efficiency, quality of life, and the development of novel digital business models.

    Network Coverage and Focus Shift

    With network coverage largely in place, operators are now shifting their attention towards applications and platforms. Viettel Telecom intends to launch three virtual assistant platforms for individuals, households, and enterprises over its 5G network. Concurrently, MobiFone is executing 5G-based smart city solutions in Hanoi, inclusive of AI-powered camera systems, emergency response drones, and comprehensive urban monitoring platforms that address issues like traffic congestion, flooding, environmental pollution, and food safety.

    Questions & Answers

    What is the current state of Vietnam’s 5G network?
    Vietnam’s 5G network has been extensively developed, with the country’s largest operator, Viettel, establishing approximately 30,000 base stations. This has resulted in around 90% outdoor coverage and 70% indoor coverage.

    How is 5G aiding Vietnam’s rural sectors?
    5G is proving particularly beneficial to rural commerce and agriculture, where high-speed connections allow for activities such as livestream sales sessions. This is helping farmers reach consumers nationwide without the need for traditional intermediaries.

    What future applications are being planned for Vietnam’s 5G network?
    Looking ahead, operators are shifting their focus towards applications and platforms. Viettel Telecom plans to introduce three virtual assistant platforms, while MobiFone is implementing smart city solutions in Hanoi. These advancements will further integrate 5G connectivity into everyday life and enterprise operations.

  • Philippines Telecom and Pay-TV Eye $9.7B Revenue Boom by 2029, Fuelled by Mobile Data and Broadband Growth

    Philippines Telecom and Pay-TV Eye $9.7B Revenue Boom by 2029, Fuelled by Mobile Data and Broadband Growth

    The Philippines’ telecommunications and pay-TV service sectors are set to experience a surge in revenue, increasing from USD 8 billion in 2024 to an estimated USD 9.7 billion by 2029, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.8%. The expected growth can be attributed to the expanding mobile data and fixed broadband service sectors.

    Mobile Voice Service Revenue Facing a Decline

    Despite the overall projected growth in the telecom industry, mobile voice services are anticipated to experience a decline in revenue. This is a result of a consistent drop in the average revenue per user (ARPU) levels of mobile voice services. Consumers are increasingly turning towards internet or application-based communication platforms, and operators are providing complimentary voice minutes in their service plans.

    Promising Growth in Mobile Data Service Sector

    The mobile data service sector, however, is expected to witness substantial growth, with an anticipated CAGR of 7.1% over the forecast period. This growth is driven by an increase in mobile internet subscriptions, especially the upswing in 5G subscriptions, which will significantly enhance mobile data ARPU levels.

    The adoption of 5G services is expected to escalate rapidly in the coming years, with 5G projected to become the dominant mobile technology generation by subscriber base in 2029. This growth surge in 5G adoption can be credited to the ongoing 5G network expansion initiatives by operators across the country.

    Fixed Communication Services Sector

    In the fixed communication services sector, revenue from fixed voice services is likely to reduce due to a decrease in circuit-switched subscriptions and a decline in fixed voice ARPU levels. However, the fixed broadband service revenue is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.7% from 2024 to 2029. This growth can be linked to the rising adoption of higher ARPU fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) broadband services.

    The increased adoption of FTTH broadband services in the Philippines is a response to the growing demand for high-speed broadband services and the ongoing expansion of fiber network coverage by operators.

    Projected Growth in Pay-TV Services Revenue

    The revenue from pay-TV services in the country is also predicted to increase over the forecast period, backed by robust growth in IPTV subscriptions and a steady rise in DTH subscriptions.

    Leading Telecom Market Players

    In the mobile services sector, Globe Telecom and PLDT are expected to retain their market leader positions by subscription share throughout the forecast period. This is due to their concentrated efforts on mobile network expansion and modernization. PLDT will continue leading in the fixed broadband sector, largely driven by its extensive fiber network coverage and increasing FTTH subscriber base.

    Questions & Answers

    What is contributing to the growth in the Philippine telecommunications industry?
    The growth in the industry is primarily due to the expanding mobile data and fixed broadband service sectors.

    Why is the mobile voice services revenue expected to decline?
    The projected decline is a result of a consistent drop in mobile voice service ARPU levels as consumers increasingly prefer internet or application-based communication platforms.

    Which telecom operators are expected to remain market leaders in the Philippines?
    In the mobile services sector, Globe Telecom and PLDT are expected to maintain their market leader positions due to their focused efforts on mobile network expansion and modernization.

  • Singtel Launches Singapore’s First 50 Gbps Fiber Broadband Trial: Ushering in a New Era of Ultra-Speed Connectivity

    Singtel Launches Singapore’s First 50 Gbps Fiber Broadband Trial: Ushering in a New Era of Ultra-Speed Connectivity

    Singtel, a leading telecommunications company, has initiated Singapore’s first technical trial for 50 Gbps fiber broadband, a forward-looking step aimed at bolstering the country’s fixed connectivity. This venture is a response to the expected boom in AI-powered and data-heavy digital services.

    Next-Gen Connectivity

    The trial leverages advanced XGS-PON-based fiber technology to achieve speeds of up to 50 Gbps. This state-of-the-art connectivity is designed to facilitate the increasing demand of emerging technologies such as augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), mixed reality (MR), cloud gaming, AI-enabled smart homes, and high-performance remote workspaces. Singtel’s objective with this initiative is to ensure that both residential and business consumers are equipped for the assimilation of these technologies as they transition into the mainstream over the next three to five years.

    During this technical trial, Singtel aims to assess the network’s performance and potential to support the complex, multi-device environments that AI enables. The company believes this trial signifies a critical progression towards the large-scale deployment of ultra-high-speed fiber broadband for both residential and commercial users.

    According to Ng Tian Chong, CEO of Singtel Singapore, Singapore’s everyday life is deeply intertwined with digital technologies, facilitated by near-universal internet access, high device ownership, and the widespread use of online communication and digital services across work, learning, and entertainment. He notes that this next evolution in fiber broadband connectivity is crucial to ensure that homes and businesses can continuously support increasingly immersive and AI-driven digital experiences.

    Enhancing Digital Infrastructure

    Singtel’s early adoption of the 50 Gbps fiber technology sets Singapore as a pioneer in next-generation broadband innovation. This aligns with the nation’s Digital Connectivity Blueprint that aims to construct a resilient and future-proof digital infrastructure.

    The new 50 Gbps trial offers the possibility of comprehensive, multi-gigabit connectivity. Singtel suggests that this will facilitate ultra-high-definition entertainment, including 8K and future 12K video streaming, high-quality AR, VR, and XR experiences, low-latency cloud gaming, and cloud PCs. The technology is also expected to support data-heavy workflows for home-based businesses and professionals, such as engineering simulations and secure, enterprise-grade remote connectivity.

    Moreover, advanced telemedicine and remote diagnostics stand to benefit from this ultra-high-speed broadband. This includes real-time medical imaging transmission, VR-based physiotherapy, and home-connected medical devices. AI-powered smart homes can also leverage this technology for real-time analytics across security cameras, IoT appliances, and autonomous devices. Furthermore, this technology has the potential to enhance the next generation of Wi-Fi, dense IoT ecosystems, and emerging AI-driven entertainment formats.

    Investing Ahead of Demand

    The fiber broadband trial underlines Singtel’s long-standing strategy of anticipating demand to deliver advanced connectivity. The company made history by becoming the first to democratize network slicing for everyday users to support evolving digital needs.

    In 2022, Singtel set another milestone by becoming the first operator globally to deploy nationwide standalone 5G. The company later improved coverage by integrating a 700 MHz spectrum, offering up to 40% stronger signal strength in indoor, underground, and high-density environments.

    Questions & Answers

    What is the purpose of Singtel’s 50 Gbps fiber broadband technical trial?
    The trial is meant to test the network’s performance and its capabilities to support increasingly complex, AI-enabled, multi-device environments.

    How will ultra-high-speed broadband benefit home-based businesses and professionals?
    The technology is designed to support data-heavy workflows, such as engineering simulations and secure enterprise-grade remote connectivity, which are integral to many home-based businesses and professionals.

    How will this technology improve healthcare?
    The ultra-high-speed broadband is expected to enable advanced telemedicine and remote diagnostics, such as real-time medical imaging transmission, VR-based physiotherapy, and connected at-home medical devices.