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Tag: broadband

  • Thailand’s Broadband Surge Sparks Robust Market Growth in the Retail Sector

    Thailand’s Broadband Surge Sparks Robust Market Growth in the Retail Sector

    The Thai telecommunications landscape is poised for steady growth, with fixed communication services expected to see a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.6%, rising from USD 2.2 billion in 2024 to USD 2.5 billion by 2029. According to GlobalData, this uptick is largely fueled by an expanding fixed broadband sector, leaving the era of traditional voice services gasping for breath.

    Declining Voice Services Amid Rising Broadband

    While the overall revenue picture appears promising, the outlook for fixed voice services tells a different story. GlobalData highlights a projected decline in revenue at an alarming CAGR of 8.6% from 2024 to 2029, reflecting a significant shift as consumers prioritize mobile and over-the-top (OTT) communication platforms over conventional voice services. It’s a classic case of out with the old and in with the new; as fancy apps become our preferred method of chatting, old landlines are quietly becoming relics of the past.

    Fiber-Optic Services Lead the Charge

    In a more favorable turn, the fixed broadband segment is on track to grow at a CAGR of 3.2% during the forecast period, benefitting from advancements in fiber-optic technology. The rise of fiber-to-the-home and fiber-to-the-business subscriptions is paving the way for this growth, bolstered by improvements in fixed wireless access (FWA) as consumers seek high-speed internet at home and in the office.

    A Fiber-Driven Future

    Sarwat Zeeshan, a Telecom Analyst at GlobalData, emphasized the importance of fiber technology, noting that fiber lines accounted for approximately 89.2% of all fixed broadband lines in 2024. This dominance is expected to continue through 2029, driven by increasing demand for robust, high-speed connectivity, enhanced fiber networks in urban centers, and targeted efforts by government and telecom operators to expand fiber coverage across the nation. As soon as the buzz of fiber networks fills the air, expect consumers to clamor for faster connections.

    Leading the charge in the fixed broadband market is Advanced Info Service Public Co., Ltd. (AIS), which is projected to retain its subscriber share dominance through 2029, followed closely by True Corp Public Co., Ltd.

    Questions & Answers

    What is the projected growth rate for fixed communication services in Thailand?
    Revenue is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 2.6%, increasing from USD 2.2 billion in 2024 to USD 2.5 billion by 2029.

    Which segment within fixed communication services is expected to decline?
    Fixed voice services are projected to experience a decline at a CAGR of 8.6% during the same period, largely due to a shift towards mobile and OTT communication methods.

    What technology is driving growth in fixed broadband services?
    Growth in fixed broadband services is primarily powered by fiber-optic technology, particularly fiber-to-the-home and fiber-to-the-business subscriptions, which are increasingly in demand for high-speed connectivity.

  • Indonesia’s Fixed Communication Services Market Projected to Reach $3.7 Billion by 2029—A Growing Opportunity!

    Indonesia’s Fixed Communication Services Market Projected to Reach $3.7 Billion by 2029—A Growing Opportunity!

    Indonesia’s fixed communication services market is poised for significant growth, projected to reach USD 3.7 billion by 2029, up from USD 3 billion in 2024, according to insights from GlobalData, a leading data and analytics firm. This upward trajectory is set against the backdrop of the Indonesian government’s concerted efforts to expand high-speed internet access across the archipelago.

    Broadband Boom in the Archipelago

    The nation’s expansion of fixed broadband services is expected to be the primary engine for this growth, with an anticipated compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.3%. With aspirations for internet speeds reaching up to 100 Mbps at affordable prices, the government is not just aiming for wider connectivity but also striving for digital inclusivity and transformative national goals.

    Voice Services Face Challenges

    Conversely, fixed voice services are on a downward trend, forecasted to decline at a CAGR of 1.3%. This is mainly due to a diminishing number of circuit-switched subscriptions and decreasing average revenue per user (ARPU) as consumers increasingly turn to over-the-top (OTT) and app-based communication platforms. Even the most robust services can’t escape the irresistible lure of free messaging apps — it seems love is indeed digital.

    Fiber Takes the Lead

    In 2024, fiber lines were responsible for an impressive 83.1% of all fixed broadband connections and are projected to maintain their dominance through 2029. Neha Mishra, a Telecom Analyst at GlobalData, attributes this trend to the surging demand for dependable and high-speed broadband, further amplified by government initiatives for a nationwide fiber rollout.

    Competition Fuels Innovation

    As service providers venture deeper into underserved territories, competition is expected to escalate, characterized by service differentiation through bundled offerings, network reliability, and enhanced customer experience. Operators that make astute investments in infrastructure and innovate their pricing strategies will be most effectively positioned to reap long-term benefits in this evolving digital landscape. With everyone vying for a slice of the digital pie, the stakes have never been higher.

    Questions & Answers

    What is driving the growth of Indonesia’s fixed communication services market?
    The growth is primarily fueled by the expanding fixed broadband segment, which is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.3% as the government pushes for high-speed internet access.

    How are fixed voice services performing in Indonesia?
    Fixed voice services are predicted to decline at a CAGR of 1.3%, largely due to a decrease in circuit-switched subscriptions as users shift to OTT and app-based communication.

    What technology is dominant in Indonesia’s fixed broadband sector?
    Fiber lines dominated the market in 2024, accounting for about 83.1% of all fixed broadband connections, and are expected to remain the top technology through 2029.

  • Starlink Wins Regulatory Green Light to Launch Satellite Internet Services Across India!

    Starlink Wins Regulatory Green Light to Launch Satellite Internet Services Across India!

    Elon Musk’s Starlink Inc. has received the green light from India’s telecom ministry, paving the way for the launch of its satellite internet services within the country. This much-anticipated approval marks a significant milestone for the U.S.-based company as it seeks to tap into India’s expansive internet user base of over 900 million—a crucial market following its exclusion from China.

    A New Era for Internet Access in India

    Starlink’s entry is set to transform the Indian internet landscape, which has largely relied on conventional cell towers and fiber-optic cables. By introducing satellite technology, the company aims to bridge the connectivity gap, particularly in underserved areas. Imagine connecting to the internet from the comfort of your backyard rather than needing a thick bundle of wires!

    Expanding Horizons Beyond the Skies

    But Musk isn’t stopping with internet services. He is also ramping up Tesla’s ambitions in India’s automotive market by shipping vehicles, hiring local talent, and establishing showrooms across the nation. It seems that Musk is launching everything but the kitchen sink in his quest for innovation in India.

    Building on Global Success

    Since the launch of its first satellites in 2019, Starlink has rapidly amassed around 5 million customers across more than 100 countries, outpacing its competitors. However, to start operations in India, the company must secure spectrum licenses to conduct trial services, expected to last between three to six months. The approval process for trial spectrum is anticipated to take about two to three weeks, so stay tuned!

    Strategic Partnerships for a Robust Rollout

    In a strategic move, Starlink has forged partnerships with India’s top telecom players, signing agreements in March with Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd. and Bharti Airtel Ltd. These alliances will help bolster its rollout efforts in the expansive Indian market. India’s Telecom Minister, Jyotiraditya Scindia, has emphasized the crucial role satellite internet will play in enhancing connectivity in remote areas and during disaster recovery scenarios, underscoring a pivotal shift in the way India accesses the internet.

    Questions & Answers

    What is the significance of Starlink entering India?
    Starlink’s entry provides innovative internet access to over 900 million users, transforming connectivity especially in underserved regions.

    How does Starlink’s technology differ from traditional internet?
    Unlike conventional services relying on cell towers and cables, Starlink uses satellite technology, which allows it to reach remote areas more effectively.

    What is the timeline for Starlink to begin operations in India?
    After securing the necessary spectrum licenses, Starlink anticipates conducting trial services for three to six months, with approval for trial spectrum expected within two to three weeks.

  • 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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  • Global broadband less affordable in 2021

    Global broadband less affordable in 2021

    Internet connectivity became less affordable around the world in 2021, according to the latest statistical analysis by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the Alliance for Affordable Internet (A4AI).

    The share of people’s incomes spent on fixed broadband and mobile Internet services increased globally last year, in parallel with upticks in demand and usage compared to 2020, reveals an ITU-A4AI policy brief, “The affordability of ICT services 2021”.

    Relative prices of fixed broadband services climbed to 3.5% of gross national income (GNI) per capita globally in 2021, up from 2.9% in 2020. The relative prices of mobile broadband services around the world also edged up to 2% of GNI per capita, from 1.9% a year earlier.

    Yet people have sacrificed other goods and services to maintain reliable Internet access during the COVID-19 pandemic. Those who can have largely stayed connected, even at relatively higher prices.

    “Broadband services have ceased to be a mere luxury,” said ITU secretary-general Houlin Zhao. “They are a necessity for communication, teleworking, online education, and other essential services. Still, we must urgently address the issue of affordability if we hope to achieve our goal of universal and meaningful connectivity.”

    Affordability gaps have persisted or widened over the past year. Fewer economies now meet the affordable cost target of 2% of monthly GNI per capita for entry-level broadband service, as set out by the United Nations Broadband Commission.

    Consumers in low- and middle-income economies typically paid five to six times more, relative to their income, to use information and communication technology (ICT) services than consumers in high-income economies did in 2021.

    At the regional level, users in Africa paid more than three times the global median price for mobile broadband services, and over five times the global median for fixed broadband.

    “The affordability gap for Internet access between those living in low- and middle-income countries and those living in high income countries is inexcusably high,” said Sonia Jorge, executive director of A4AI. “Moreover, people in rural areas, and women everywhere, are disproportionately affected. A continued failure to address this worsens the situation for those who need help the most. The public and private sectors must work together to connect humanity with affordable and meaningful access.”

    Worldwide, only 96 economies met the UN Broadband Commission target for the prices of data-only mobile broadband prices in 2021, seven fewer than in 2020. At the same time, only 64 economies met the Commission’s target for fixed-broadband prices, down by two from 2020.

    “These findings are a warning sign, and significant improvement is needed as the Broadband Commission’s 2025 target date for achieving global broadband affordability edges ever closer,” said Doreen Bogdan-Martin, director of ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau. “The past few years have proven that connectivity is vital. As we move to post-pandemic recovery, we need to make connectivity affordable for everyone to ensure that we leave no one behind in this digital era.”

    Among the world’s 46 least developed countries, entry-level fixed or mobile broadband Internet costs less than 2% of GNI per capita in only four cases: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, and the Republic of Nepal.

    Fixed broadband services saw the highest jump, with prices increasing by 8% last year (as measured in US dollars, adjusting for inflation).

    This meant fixed broadband became less affordable for many users, with relative prices climbing from 2.9% of GNI per capita in 2020 to 3.5% in 2021. The price of mobile broadband services also increased slightly, from 1.9 to 2.0% of GNI per capita worldwide.

    Historically, global demand for broadband services and their overall affordability have appeared to climb hand in hand, with price drops typically prompting more subscriptions.

    Even with last year’s price rises, both data usage and the number of fixed and mobile broadband subscriptions continued growing globally, suggesting people were cutting other expenses to be able to keep using the Internet.

    To some extent, the relative price increase for broadband services reflects a global economic downturn triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic. Many countries have seen GNI reductions, offsetting gains for consumers even where prices declined.

    On the positive side, broadband operators in many countries increased the data allowance included in their benchmark baskets. Users who could afford those baskets, therefore, received greater value for money.

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  • Cebu Pacific Equips Airbus A330neo fleet with SITA Swiftbroadband Cockpit Connectivity

    Cebu Pacific Equips Airbus A330neo fleet with SITA Swiftbroadband Cockpit Connectivity

    Cebu Pacific Air, the Manila, Philippines-based low cost airline, will equip its fleet of Airbus A330neo aircraft with an upgraded form of SITA for Aircraft’s AIRCOM cockpit connectivity technology with Swiftbroadband-Safety (SB-S).

    The AIRCOM connectivity is being factory-installed on a fleet of 16 new A330neos from an Airbus order first placed by Cebu Pacific in 2019, that now also includes a Flight Hour Services (FHS) materials management contract signed by the two companies during the 2022 Singapore Air Show last month. SITA first signed a global connectivity services distribution agreement with Inmarsat in 2017 to start leveraging Swiftbroadband-Safety within its suite of cockpit communication applications that it now brands as AIRCOM Cockpit Services.

    SB-S is Inmarsat’s Aircraft Communication, Addressing and Reporting System (ACARS) over Internet Protocol (IP) networking technology that permits previous aircraft data transmissions solely done over the legacy ACARS network to be done faster and cheaper using IP as a gateway for air-to-ground and aircraft-to-controller data transmissions and messaging.

    Sumesh Patel, President of Asia Pacific, SITA, said in a statement that “Cebu Pacific is the first airline to take advantage of these capabilities to boost safety and deliver greater operational efficiencies on their new fleet.”

    Three specific connection types are provided over SB-S, including character-based ACARS data services for Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Contract (ADS-C) and Controller Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC). ADS-C, CPDLC, real-time prison reporting, and flight data streaming along with aircraft performance data downloads can also be provided over the SB-S prioritized IP channel. Additionally, the regular IP channel can be used as a voice and data communication channel for Airline Administrative Control (AAC) and Airline Operations Center (AOC) applications.

    According to SITA, some of the specific applications Cebu Pacific can use on AIRCOM with SB-S that are not enabled without Swiftbroadband include real-time updates for flight optimization tools and graphical weather applications.

    The SITA cockpit connectivity agreement for Cebu Pacific comes following the airline’s announcement earlier this month that it will begin expanding its domestic network, including re-starting flights to Siargao, Surigao, and Calbayog after closing those and many other routes due to COVID-19 related travel restrictions.

    Cebu Pacific received its first A330neo in December and now has two of the 459-seat aircraft in its fleet. Mike Szucs, Chief Executive Adviser at Cebu Pacific, expects every Airbus model aircraft in its fleet to feature the new engine option variant by 2027.

    “We turned to SITA given their expertise in the aircraft domain to help us navigate the challenges and complexities of the aircraft communications landscape, and prepare us for that future,” Javier Massot, Chief Operations Adviser, Cebu Pacific Air, said in a statement. “Having high-speed connectivity and greater capacity is essential to access more advanced digital applications that support decision-making onboard. It will enable our pilots and operational staff to access information in real-time and deliver a better service for our passengers.”

  • TRAI releases consultation paper on satellite gateway

    TRAI releases consultation paper on satellite gateway

    Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has extended an invitation to industry stakeholders to gather inputs on a framework for satellite gateways in India. This will facilitate the launch of satellite communication services in India.

    Prior to this, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has requested TRAI to furnish recommendations on licensing framework for establishing a satellite gateway. DoT has requested TRAI to address existing limitations in satellite gateway operations as there is no provision regarding the use of gateway by service providers established by a satellite constellation operator.

    The regulator is called to look into factors and make recommendations on entry fee, license fee, bank guarantee, NOCC charges, and other issues which may concern LEO, MEO and HTS systems.

    TRAI has since released a consultation paper to garner inputs by 13 December.

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  • Netflix CEO admits Disney+ hurt it in the U.S.

    Netflix CEO admits Disney+ hurt it in the U.S.

    Netflix on Tuesday announced its fourth-quarter earnings for 2019 and the streaming video company reported the addition of 420,000 net new subscribers in the U.S. during the period. But before you use that stat as proof that the November launch of Disney+ did not effect Netflix during the fourth quarter, guess again. The company expected that it would report 600,000 new subscribers in the states for the period. The 180,000 subscriber shortfall might have been related to the strong start that Disney+ got off to, with 10 million subscribers signed up in the first 24 hours.
    Netflix CEO Reed Hastings admitted after the earnings announcement that Disney+ has “great” content and said that the rival streamer’s strong lineup “takes away a little from us.” While Netflix often falls short of its estimates (it happens half the time, says the Times), Netflix stated that during this past quarter it was impacted by the seven weeks that Disney+ was up and running during the fourth quarter. In the states, Netflix has 61 million subscribers and expects that figure to keep rising until it hits 90 million.
    Netflix added 8.4 million net new subscribers globally from October through December and set company records for the number of subscribers it picked up in Latin America, Asia and Europe during the period. On a quarterly basis, Netflix saw its global subscriber list rise 5.5% bringing the total to 167.1 million customers.
    Netflix will also have some more competition coming starting in the second quarter of this year when NBC Universal’s Peacock streamer launches. The latter’s inventory of content will include extremely popular fare including The Office. NBC/Universal reportedly paid $500 million for a five-year exclusive run for the sitcom on Peacock starting in 2021. The service will have two ad-supported tiers that will be free to Comcast and Cox subscribers although anyone can pay $4.99 a month for the Premium service. Comcast and Cox subscribers can also pay a monthly fee for ad-free streaming.
    Hastings doesn’t expect that Disney+ will negatively impact Netflix in the long term. “Most of their growth in the future is coming out of the linear TV,” the executive said. And frankly, the same might turn out to be true for Peacock.
    During the fourth quarter, Netflix reported net income of $570 million or $1.30 per share. That compares to net of $134 million or 30 cents per share during 2018’s fourth quarter. But last year’s quarter includes a $438 million tax benefit. Revenue rose 30% from the $4.2 billion recorded during 2018’s Q4 to $5.7 billion in 2019. The company announced that The Witcher was viewed by 76 million member households. But Netflix has changed the definition of a view to mean that a subscriber “chose to watch and did watch for at least 2 minutes — long enough to indicate the choice was intentional.” Previously, a viewer had to watch 70% or more of an episode or film to qualify as a view. As a result, Netflix’s future view counts will be hiked by 35%. For example, the number of views credited to Our Planet went from 33 million under the old definition to 45 million using the new definition.
    For the current quarter, Netflix estimates that it will add 7 million net new subscribers globally vs the 9.6 million it added during last year’s first quarter. Netflix expects to see elevated churn levels in the U.S. from January through March. Once again alluding to Disney+, the company’s Chief Financial Officer Spencer Neumann said that Netflix has been experiencing “some elevated churn from pricing and competition.”
  • AirAsia sees in-flight Wi-Fi as next income source

    AirAsia sees in-flight Wi-Fi as next income source

    AirAsia has been exemplary in using digital and disruptive technologies in increasing its ancillary income, including the introduction of in-flight Wi-Fi, which is expected to create a US$130 billion global market by 2035, according to London School of Economics research.

    AirAsia is the pioneer of low-cost airline in-flight Wi-Fi in the region.

    “Currently, we have about slightly over 50% of our aircraft (in Malaysia) Wi-Fi-enabled. We expect AirAsia Wi-Fi to be installed fleetwide in all AirAsia Malaysia in 2020,” chief executive officer Riad Asmat said.

    The other AirAsia companies are expected to follow suit, he said.

    “Wi-Fi these days is like oxygen. The moment you sit in a place the first thing we ask is if it has Wi-Fi and it is slowly gaining traction in the aviation sector,” he told Bernama when asked on the growing sector.

    For the Malaysian operation, the flights are all within the one-to four-hour range.

    “Within the AirAsia Wi-Fi ecosystem, the airline has entertainment, we have our e-shop, digital in-flight magazine and some level of entertainment, especially for kids. Besides enhancing the experience of passengers, the service also enables them to connect with their loved ones on air,” said Riad.

    “Hooking up to the AirAsia” Wi-Fi ecosystem is free (browsing kids entertainment, e-shop and magazine) but if you want to use your social media or do real work, then you’ve got to pay and I believe our rates are competitive as compared with other airlines around the region,” he said.

    A check on the service revealed that the Wi-Fi plans range from RM9 to RM58, with the most basic plan capped at 10MB. There is also a top-of-the-line 200MB plan, which is best for streaming. Riad said more than 30% of its passengers have accessed the AirAsia Wi-Fi services and the figure is expected to hit 50% soon.

    Knowing AirAsia, Riad was also quick to point out that incorporating a lot of its services in the AirAsia Wi-Fi ecosystem would also help them cut costs via fuel-saving.

    “Once the aircraft is Wi-Fi-enabled the in-flight magazine (hardcopy) should not be there. It is fuel-saving,” he said, adding that although the hardcopy uses some of the lightest paper material available, going 100% digital would save kilos for every fleet.

    Hence, Wi-Fi is crucial for AirAsia’s business, he said, noting “it is part and parcel of embracing technology.” Riad, however, said the portion of WiFi contribution now to its overall ancillary income is negligible.

    “But the growth potential is phenomenal because once all the aircraft have the service, people start using dependent on the needs of that day. I am sure you can get business out of it, directly and indirectly, especially when passengers browse and make a purchase via OURSHOP,” he said. OURSHOP is AirAsia’s e-commerce platform.

    However, for the service to have a bigger impact on its ancillary income, Riad said it has to remain attractive, noting the company is constantly on the lookout for more content providers.

    AirAsia currently uses the high-speed Ka-band platform, which claims to provide connectivity beyond basic broadband, supporting real-time video, music streaming and more.

    A recent survey by the International Air Transport Association, which represents some 290 airlines comprising 82 percent of global air traffic, revealed that some 53 percent of surveyed passengers found Wi-Fi important to have.

    The importance is highest in Africa (71 percent), followed by Latin America (68 percent) and the Middle East (67 percent), with the lowest in Europe (44 percent) and North America (49 percent).

    The 2019 Global Passenger Survey was based on 10,877 responses from passengers across 166 countries.

    “With the availability of Wi-Fi connectivity continuing to have a direct impact on the overall travel experience, adopting the latest onboard Wi-Fi technology continues to be an effective way for airlines to distinguish their product offering,” said the association.

    Besides WiFi, Riad said there is also a huge potential to increase ancillary income through its cargo business Teleport, which is the second-largest cargo airline group in Southeast Asia by capacity after Singapore Airlines Cargo as of July 2019, according to the Centre for Aviation.

    “We’re currently utilizing only approximately 15% of the available belly space for cargo, in which approximately 40% of our revenues are generated from connections through our network,” he said.

    It delivered approximately RM206 million in revenue in the financial year 2018 and is on track to deliver approximately RM400 million in financial year 2019.

    “We have invested in technology, with the goal to deliver the same day as standard anywhere within Southeast Asia. Airports are at the heart of this ability to do so,” he noted.

    Riad said AirAsia foresees bigger growth in the small parcel business.

  • Vietnam Airlines to launch inflight Wi-Fi service

    Vietnam Airlines to launch inflight Wi-Fi service

    Vietnam Airlines will launch inflight Wi-Fi service on some flights connecting Hanoi and HCMC with cities in China, Japan and Singapore.

    Passengers will be charged VND75,000-735,000 ($2.95 -$29.95) depending on usage time and capacity.

    Providing inflight Wi-Fi service is one of the steps that Vietnam Airlines is taking towards becoming a digital airlines by 2020 and an international five-star airline in the future.

    The Wi-Fi service will be available on the domestic route from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City and international flights from Hanoi to China’s Shanghai and Japan’s Osaka and between HCMC and Osaka and Singapore, the airline said in a statement Monday.

    In the coming months, the airline will continue upgrading and expanding this service to Boeing 787 and other Airbus A350 aircraft with faster speeds, it said.

    Le Hong Ha, deputy general director of Vietnam Airlines, said that when using the service, passengers can send text messages on popular applications such as Viber, iMessage, Messenger and Whatsapp.

    “This is part of Vietnam Airlines’ efforts to catch up with the development trends of the world aviation industry, with many 5-star airlines like Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways, Cathay Pacific Airways and Lufthansa providing similar services,” Ha said.

    Vietnam Airlines operates flights on 60 international and 33 domestic routes.

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  • India has world’s cheapest mobile data rates

    India has world’s cheapest mobile data rates

    Cable.co.uk analyzed 6,313 mobile data plans from 230 different countries from October to November 2018.

    For India’s market, 57 mobile data plans were analyzed and found that the lowest rate per 1GB in the country was 1.41 Rupees ($0.02) while the highest was at 98.83 Rupees ($1.41).

    “A country whose young population has a particularly high technological awareness, India offers a vibrant smartphone market, with strong adoption and many competitors. Data, therefore, is quite staggeringly cheap,” the report mentioned.

    India is home to more than 430 million smartphone users and is the second-largest smartphone market in the world, with China being the first.

    Other countries with cheap mobile data packages include Kyrgyzstan at $0.27, Kazakhstan at $0.49, Ukraine at $0.51, and Rwanda at $0.56.

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  • Taiwan overtakes Singapore in broadband speed

    Taiwan overtakes Singapore in broadband speed

    The global average in terms of broadband speed is 11.03Mbps since May 2019, compared to it being 9.14 at the same time last year. The data from this new research was gathered by a US-based open-source project called Measurement Lab (M-Lab).

    “With average broadband speeds rising by 20.65% in the last year the global picture looks rosy. But the truth is faster countries are the ones lifting the average, pulling away at speed and leaving the slowest to stagnate. Last year, we measured the slowest five countries at 88 times slower than the five fastest. This year they are 125 times slower,” commented Dan Howdle, consumer telecoms analyst at Cable.co.uk, with regards to the M-Lab research.

    The top 15 in the league tables of 2019 comprise of all European and Asian countries, with the US being number 16 on the list.

    Some of the European countries that made it to the top 15 were Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland. As for Asian countries, it included Japan and Singapore.

    The league table showed that downloading a movie in HD of around 5GB in size takes 8 minutes and 2 seconds on average in Taiwan while it took 30 hours in Yemen, which was the last-placed country in the league table.

    M-Lab is led by a variety of teams based at Code for Science and Society, Google Princeton University’s PlanetLab, New America’s Open Technology Institute among others.

    “Average speed rankings by country are.. a great starting point for deeper research and statistical analysis of the state of broadband using M-Lab’s global broadband measurement datasets,” said Chris Ritzo, M-Lab’s programme management and community lead.

    The research carried out 276 million speed tests, all on 70 million IP addresses.

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  • Google Fi announces its first Unlimited Plan

    Google Fi announces its first Unlimited Plan

    Google Fi is getting its first Unlimited Plan, which should offer subscribers everything in unlimited quantities. Well, that’s not how it really works in the United States, at least when it comes to data.

    Since the carrier’s launch in 2015, only one plan was available for customers, the Fi Flexible plan. Starting today, Fi is adding a second plan, a Google Fi Unlimited Plan. It will be available for $70 for a single line, but the more people you’re sharing it with, the less it will cost. So, for two lines, the Unlimited Plan is priced at $60, while three lines cost just $50 per line. Finally, if you add between four and six lines, you’ll be paying $45 per individual user (taxes excluded)

    Google Fi’s Unlimited Plan offers 22GB of unthrottled data per line, after which your data speed will be limited. Also, Google mentions that it “may optimize video streaming quality to 480p to extend customers access to high-speed data before they hit 22GB.”

    Besides data, you’ll get unlimited calls and texts, including international calls. Google says that the plan covers free international calls from the US to 50 countries and territories, as well as unlimited data and texting abroad in 200 destinations at no extra charge.

    To make things even more appealing, the Unlimited Plan comes with a Google One membership with 100GB of cloud storage and extra benefits such as expert support across Google, discounts on Google products, and much more.

  • Huawei to sell subsea cable business

    Huawei to sell subsea cable business

    Huawei is reportedly planning to sell its subsea cable business according to a buyer’s filing.

    Made on 31 May 2019 to the Shanghai Stock Exchange, the filing showed that Hengtong Optic-Electric Co, an optical telecoms network vendor, had signed a letter of intent with Huawei Technologies to buy its 51% stake in Huawei Marine Systems.

    Through no price was given, the deal is set to be financed through a combination of cash and shares.

    The news comes weeks after President Trump issued an executive order on “information and communications technology and services supply chain” which gives him and the rest of the US government unprecedented power to ban any business dealing. The order bans Huawei from buying technology from any US company without a license from the US government.

    A few days after the order was issued, the US government then relaxed its embargo on Huawei until 18 August. The Department of Commerce (DoC) issued a temporary general license which sets out limited exclusions to the order giving operators time to get their plans in order.

    “The temporary general license grants operators time to make other arrangements and the Department space to determine the appropriate long term measures for Americans and foreign telecommunications providers that currently rely on Huawei equipment for critical services,” said Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross. “In short, this license will allow operations to continue for existing Huawei mobile phone users and rural broadband networks.”

    It has been rumored that the sale of Huawei Marine is happening because the company is now facing stronger scrutiny, which may affect its ability to win new business.

    Speaking to the FT, Fergus Hanson, head of the International Cyber Policy Centre at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, said, “It’s becoming a more difficult environment when trying to negotiate deals to build cables because [Huawei] is so much in the spotlight.”

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  • HMD Global expands enterprise recommended portfolio

    HMD Global expands enterprise recommended portfolio

    HMD Global, licensee for the Nokia smartphone brand, has received Android Enterprise Recommended certification to three new devices in its portfolio.

    The three new devices include the Nokia 9 PureView, the recently announced smartphone with a five-camera array, as well as the Nokia 4.2 and 3.2 devices.

    HMD Global now has 14 Nokia branded devices that have received Android Enterprise Recommended Certification – more than any other smartphone brand.

    More than 50 organizations worldwide – including SAP, contacting and manufacturing company Ineco and industrial design company Mukava – have already deployed devices within this portfolio.

    Google’s Android Enterprise Recommended certification program requires devices to meet an elevated set of hardware, software, security update, user experience and other specifications. It is designed to act as a benchmark for the user experience in a variety of enterprise use cases.

    HMD Global said its recent market research found that 98% of enterprises within the European companies covered by the study use the Android Enterprise Recommended program to influence their choice of devices.

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