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Tag: communications

  • AS Watson Group Promotes Queennie Fung to Lead Global Corporate Communications

    AS Watson Group Promotes Queennie Fung to Lead Global Corporate Communications

    AS Watson Group, a leading global health and beauty retailer, has announced the promotion of Queennie Fung to the position of General Manager of Group Corporate Communications. In this role, Fung will be responsible for overseeing the company’s brand positioning, reputation management, and stakeholder engagement across its 31 markets worldwide.

    Professional Journey of Queennie Fung

    Queennie Fung joined AS Watson Group in 2014 and has since made notable advancements within the organization. Prior to her promotion, she served as the Head of Corporate Communications, a position she assumed in 2024. In this capacity, she successfully led integrated communications initiatives across various markets, working in close collaboration with numerous business units to ensure the delivery of consistent messaging.

    In addition to this, Fung has been at the forefront of several campaigns aimed at bolstering AS Watson Group’s brand presence and amplifying community engagement. Her strategic and impactful contributions have been instrumental in refining the group’s global communications strategy and enhancing relationships with customers, partners, and communities.

    Looking Ahead: AS Watson’s Global Vision

    Commenting on the promotion, Malina Ngai, Group CEO of AS Watson Group, emphasized Fung’s pivotal role in shaping the company’s communication strategy. Ngai expressed confidence in Fung’s leadership, envisaging her as instrumental in fostering a more integrated and purpose-driven brand across all markets.

    The decision to promote Fung is in line with AS Watson’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its global brand and stakeholder engagement across its international business divisions.

    Questions & Answers

    Who is Queennie Fung?
    Queennie Fung is the newly appointed General Manager of Group Corporate Communications for AS Watson Group. She joined the company in 2014 and has held various roles within the organization.

    What will be Fung’s responsibilities in her new role?
    As the General Manager of Group Corporate Communications, Fung will oversee AS Watson Group’s brand positioning, reputation management, and stakeholder engagement worldwide.

    What has been Fung’s contribution to AS Watson Group so far?
    Fung has played a critical role in shaping the company’s global communications strategy and strengthening its relationships with customers, partners, and communities. She has led integrated communications initiatives and driven campaigns to enhance the brand and boost community engagement.

  • Hong Kong and Cambodia Unite to Crush Spam Communications: A Victory for Cross-Border Collaboration

    Hong Kong and Cambodia Unite to Crush Spam Communications: A Victory for Cross-Border Collaboration

    The Hong Kong Office of the Communications Authority (OFCA) and the Telecommunication Regulator of Cambodia (TRC) have agreed to a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at bolstering their collaborative efforts in the fight against scam calls, scam messages, and other forms of spam communication.

    Strengthening Regulatory Cooperation

    The MoU was signed on January 26th during a bilateral meeting between Mr. Chaucer Leung, the Director-General of Communications for Hong Kong, and Mr. Chenda Thong, the Chairman of Cambodia’s TRC. This agreement sets out a comprehensive framework that will facilitate closer cooperation and a more streamlined exchange of information between the two regulatory bodies.

    The outlined areas of focus include regulatory practices, public awareness campaigns, and the development of technological practices specifically designed to mitigate the impact of scam and spam communications, such as voice calls and SMS messages.

    Shared Commitment to Tackling Scam and Spam Communications

    Commenting on the significance of the MoU, Mr. Chaucer Leung noted its importance in facilitating the sharing of expertise and experiences in battling scam and spam communications. He elaborated that it would also encourage the timely sharing of insights regarding emerging market trends and developments, allowing both regulators to identify and effectively tackle evolving scams and spam threats in Hong Kong and Cambodia. The MoU, according to Mr. Leung, is a clear demonstration of their joint commitment to devising and improving measures to effectively handle scam and spam communications.

    Measures in Place in Hong Kong

    In Hong Kong, the OFCA has been collaborating closely with telecommunications service providers and government departments to maintain the integrity of its communications network. These efforts have seen the implementation of key measures such as requiring operators to block suspected fraudulent phone numbers and websites, barring suspicious inbound calls that attempt to spoof the +852 Hong Kong prefix, the introduction of the SMS Sender Registration Scheme, and the enforcement of the Real-Name Registration Program for SIM cards.

    Questions & Answers

    What is the main focus of the MoU signed between the Hong Kong OFCA and the Cambodian TRC?
    The MoU provides a framework for cooperation and information sharing between the two regulators, aimed at combating scam and spam communications. This includes voice calls and SMS messages.

    Who signed the MoU on behalf of the two countries?
    The MoU was signed by Mr. Chaucer Leung, the Director-General of Communications for Hong Kong, and Mr. Chenda Thong, the Chairman of Cambodia’s Telecommunication Regulator.

    What measures have been implemented in Hong Kong to tackle scam and spam communications?
    In Hong Kong, various measures have been put in place. These include requiring operators to block suspected fraudulent phone numbers and websites, barring suspicious inbound calls spoofing the +852 Hong Kong prefix, implementing the SMS Sender Registration Scheme, and enforcing the Real-Name Registration Program for SIM cards.

  • Taiwan Boosts Communications Security with Five New Undersea Cables: A Step Towards Network Resilience

    Taiwan Boosts Communications Security with Five New Undersea Cables: A Step Towards Network Resilience

    Taiwan is set to elevate its national communications infrastructure’s robustness by building five new undersea communications cables. This ambitious step is part of a comprehensive strategy aimed at reinforcing the resilience and reliability of the nation’s communications systems.

    Strengthening Communications Infrastructure

    The Minister of Digital Affairs, Lin Yi-jing, revealed the plans at the sixth meeting of the Presidential Office’s Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee. Two of the proposed cables will be international, while the remaining three will facilitate domestic communication.

    The planned cables will incorporate an armor-like protective layer designed to minimize potential damage arising from natural disasters or external interferences. Lin emphasized the necessity of maintaining smooth connectivity, particularly during emergencies such as typhoons and earthquakes, when uninterrupted communication is of paramount importance. However, the minister has not yet revealed a construction timeline for these new undersea cables.

    Addressing Challenges

    In recent years, Taiwan has experienced several instances of damages to its undersea communications cables, with suspicion falling on interference from foreign civilian vessels. To counter this, the legislature passed amendments earlier this month, introducing stronger penalties for acts of cable sabotage. These penalties include prison sentences and the seizure of vessels and equipment involved in such acts.

    Three-Dimensional Defensive Communications Network

    The proposed undersea cables expansion aligns with the ministry’s vision of a “three-dimensional defensive communications network,” an initiative designed to strengthen connectivity via land, sea, and air.

    In addition to the undersea cables, the nation plans to incorporate low-Earth-orbit (LEO) satellite capacity through Amazon’s satellite constellation and initiate a high-orbit geosynchronous satellite built by US manufacturer Astranis. These satellite systems are set to offer backup connectivity in case of disruptions to terrestrial or subsea networks.

    On land, the ministry plans to build disaster-resilient base stations, increase its fleet of vehicles equipped with satellite communication capabilities, and procure numerous mobile diesel generators. Lin identified that during recent typhoons, power outages at base stations, rather than network failures, were the primary cause of most mobile service disruptions. Mobile generators, he added, have served as an effective solution to this issue.

    Moving Forward

    Through strategic investments in subsea cables, satellite systems, and terrestrial infrastructure, Taiwan aims to significantly bolster its communications network’s resilience against both natural and man-made disruptions.

    Questions & Answers

    What is the purpose of the proposed undersea cables?
    The proposed undersea cables aim to strengthen the resilience of Taiwan’s national communications infrastructure, particularly during emergencies such as typhoons and earthquakes.

    What will the new cables feature to enhance their durability?
    The new cables will incorporate an armor-like protective layer designed to minimize potential damage from natural disasters or external interference.

    What other measures are included in Taiwan’s strategy to strengthen its communications infrastructure?
    In addition to the undersea cables, Taiwan plans to incorporate low-Earth-orbit (LEO) satellite capacity, initiate a high-orbit geosynchronous satellite, build disaster-resilient base stations, increase its fleet of vehicles equipped with satellite communications, and procure numerous mobile diesel generators.

  • Tata Communications Boosts Asia’s Connectivity with Launch of TGN-IA2 Subsea Cable

    Tata Communications Boosts Asia’s Connectivity with Launch of TGN-IA2 Subsea Cable

    Tata Communications has taken a giant leap in enhancing its global network with the successful integration of the TGN-IA2 submarine cable system, marking a significant boost in capacity and performance along crucial Intra-Asia routes.

    Bridging Asia with Enhanced Connectivity

    On Tuesday, Tata Communications unveiled the TGN-IA2 subsea cable system, promising to elevate connectivity for businesses across Asia. This new cable creates vital links between Singapore, Hong Kong, and Japan, complementing the existing TGN-IA system with increased interconnections to other global regions.

    A Robust Addition to Subsea Infrastructure

    Constructed by the Asia Direct Cable (ADC) consortium, TGN-IA2 enriches Tata Communications’ subsea portfolio by offering high-capacity, low-latency connectivity. This integration is poised to benefit sectors like finance, e-commerce, and logistics that rely on instantaneous and secure data transfers between Asia and international markets.

    Agility at Its Core

    Importantly, Tata Communications retains full ownership and control over TGN-IA2’s capacity upgrades, which distinguishes it from many consortium-built cable systems. This autonomy ensures that businesses, hyperscalers, and service providers can enjoy agile, scalable services tailored to meet the surging demand for digital infrastructure in Asia and beyond.

    Future-Proofing Connectivity

    Genius Wong, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at Tata Communications, expressed enthusiasm about this enhancement: “This latest improvement will further solidify Tata Communications’ status as a global leader in smart, secure, and scalable connectivity, along with cross-border innovation.”

    Building Resilience and Efficiency

    The new system bolsters network resilience by adding vital redundancy to Tata Communications’ existing subsea infrastructure. With TGN-IA2 in place, latency for data-hungry applications such as high-definition streaming, real-time collaboration, and inter-data center connectivity is expected to decrease significantly.

    Harnessing Hyper-Connectivity for the Future

    TGN-IA2 serves as an essential complement to the original TGN-IA cable, linking Asia to major global hubs, including the U.S., EMEA, and India. It’s also crafted to support forward-thinking applications like AI workloads, enabling cloud providers, multinational corporations, and digital businesses to efficiently scale in an increasingly hyper-connected world.

    Wong concluded, “Whether you’re a cloud provider entering Asia, a multinational corporation searching for low-latency links across continents, or a digital business looking to expand globally, TGN-IA2 lays the groundwork for your future.”

    And let’s be honest—who knew that the future of connectivity could be swimming beneath the sea?

    Questions & Answers

    What are the main benefits of the TGN-IA2 cable system?
    The TGN-IA2 submarine cable system enhances high-capacity, low-latency connectivity, crucial for sectors like finance and e-commerce, ensuring secure, real-time data transfer between Asia and the rest of the world.

    How does TGN-IA2 differentiate itself from other cable systems?
    Tata Communications retains full ownership and control over TGN-IA2, allowing for flexible capacity upgrades and agile services that cater to the growing needs of businesses and service providers.

    In which areas will TGN-IA2 have the most impact?
    The TGN-IA2 system is expected to have a significant impact on data-intensive applications such as high-definition streaming, real-time collaboration, and inter-data center connectivity, enhancing overall network resilience.

  • High band 5G mmWave takes 5G to the next level

    High band 5G mmWave takes 5G to the next level

    As 5G technology becomes increasingly widespread, attention is veering towards high band 5G mmWave spectrum to deliver greater capacity and faster performance levels for data-intensive 5G mobile communications such as video communications, as well as virtual and augmented reality.

    With mobile experiences become more sophisticated, networks are pressured to expand wireless spectrums to support large bandwidths and high data rates for 5G systems to drive technology evolution. For mobile operators, 5G mmWave presents an opportunity to deliver unparalleled performance benefits for fixed wireless, enterprises and industrial applications for a broad set of use cases such as smart factories, supply chain visibility and indoor navigation.

    Even though high band mmWave is not new, it fell short previously owing to challenges such as high propagation losses and sensitivity to blockages by human bodies and buildings. But these issues can be resolved as mmWave combines line-of-sight (LOS) and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) signals with distributed antenna designs and advanced beamformers to expand a network’s coverage.

    While 5G low bands deliver 5G coverage over long distances, 5G high bands or mmWave deliver optimal coverage over short distances, and best complemented with low and mid bands for improved capacity and coverage. The earliest adopter of 5G mmWave is the US, which opted for high band spectrum first in its 5G strategy. This is contrary to most countries, which opted for mid-band spectrums first, before pursuing high band mmWave.

    For mmWave to pick further momentum now, stakeholders such as regulators, mobile operators and vendors must come together. For regulators, it means embracing 5G and freeing up mmWave bands to mobile operators to grow their coverage beyond low- and mid-band spectrums, and hence enable high capacity delivery and enhanced handling of peak rates. By fuelling 5G performance levels, countries that make digital transformation a priority can yield greater economic benefits in the long run. Likewise, vendors must support this evolution by continuing to roll out suitable and even improved mobile devices and customer premises equipment (CPE) that are accessible and affordable.

    According to GSA, about 106 operators in 20 countries and/or territories hold public licenses of 5G networks utilizing mmWave spectrum. Of which, only about 24 operators in 15 countries and/or territories are using mmWave to power deployed 5G networks. In November 2019, World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-19) identified new frequencies for IMT. While 5G mmWave is more predominant in the US and Europe, Asia Pacific is slowly coming into the picture, with Japan being the earliest adopter, followed by South Korea.

    Other countries such as Singapore and Thailand have just awarded mmWave allocations last year. Of which, Singapore Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) awarded three mobile operators 800 MHz of 26 GHz and 28 GHz mmWave. One of the operators, Singtel, has switched on mmWave in certain areas in the city, with dedicated experiences zones to provide users 3.2 Gbps streamed content powered by 5G mmWave. The mobile operator will also be working with enterprise customers to develop autonomous guided vehicles and mixed reality.

    Meanwhile, Thailand’s National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) auctioned 26 GHz to three mobile operators, namely AIS, Dtac and TrueMove H. In the region, Australia is the latest to open applications for auction of 26 GHz and 28 GHz mmWave spectrums. India is very likely to carry out 5G spectrum auctions soon.

    On the other hand, in anticipation of the rise of mmWave in the region, Taiwan-based semiconductor firm MediaTek recently unveiled M80, its first mmWave-capable modem. Launched in the same month, M80 will be in direct competition with Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 5G modem.

    Also competing in the emerging mmWave space, NEC leverages on its expertise in digital beamforming technology and Massive-MIMO in launching a distributed-MIMO technology that delivers three times the number of simultaneous connections and transmission capacity in the 28 GHz mmWave frequency band – using a large number of distributed antennas rather than in a single tray.

    It also helps that there are new technologies to support a denser and more cost-effective 5G mmWave network to deliver the desired low latency and high speed. Using integrated access and backhaul (IAB), base stations not only provide wireless access for users, but also wirelessly backhaul from nearby base stations using the same mmWave spectrum. This results in improved performance, greater efficiency of spectrum resources and lower costs, thereby allowing operators to expand their mmWave networks readily and more affordably.

    Even though APAC is behind in terms of mmWave adoption, when compared to the US, some countries are quick in catching up. Taiwan, for instance, claims the first spot in launching a smart factory powered by a private 5G mmWave network.

    According to Research and Markets, the global mmWave technology market is predicted to grow from US$1 billion in 2020 to US$3.4 billion by 2025. During this time, APAC is projected to grow at the fastest rate. Clearly, 5G mmWave is an important criterion worldwide, and particularly in APAC as countries grow their network bandwidth and capacity to enable full-fledge 5G services and experiences.

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  • Openet names Regan marketing development VP for APAC

    Openet names Regan marketing development VP for APAC

    Openet has appointed Tony Regan as vice president of market development for the APAC region, the BSS firm announced earlier this week.

    In his new role, Regan will run Openet’s market development team in APAC, working closely with regional sales VP and sales team to drive the company’s continued expansion in the region, the company said.

    Prior to joining Openet in 2016, Regan held various senior roles within the Telefonica group in Ireland, Spain and Latin America. In his previous role at Openet, Regan ran the company’s consulting division, advising operators on strategy development and execution.

    Regan will be based in Openet’s APAC headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

    Openet was established in Kuala Lumpur in 2006 and has grown to provide regional service and support, managed services and software development for all of Openet’s APAC customers. The company employs over 180 people in Malaysia.

    Eric Updyke to take helms at Spirent Communications

    Spirent Communications has appointed a new chief executive officer. Eric Updyke, a former Amdocs executive, has started working for the company on April 1, and will take up the CEO role on May 1.

    Updyke will succeed retiring CEO Eric Hutchinson, who will step down on May 1. The company had announced last November that Hutchison planned to retire after 37 years of working for Spirent. He has held the CEO position since being appointed in 2013.

    In a statement, Spirent said Updyke “has extensive experience in international business management with a strong technical understanding of the markets in which Spirent operates.”

    He has worked in various sections of the industry over the last 30 years and has led transformative growth programs on a global scale.

    Updyke joins Spirent from Amdocs, where he most recently served as president of the company’s services group, with responsibility for its managed services, testing and system integration businesses.

    Prior to joining Amdocs, Updyke held executive roles at Nokia Siemens Networks and AT&T.

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  • Executives blind to disruptive nature of 5G

    Executives blind to disruptive nature of 5G

    Accenture says business and technology executives underestimate the disruptive potential of 5G technology. Fifty-three percent of respondents in a global survey of 1,800 executives in 10 countries believe there are “very few” things that 5G will enable them to do that they cannot already do with 4G networks. Only 37% expect 5G to bring a “revolutionary” shift in speed and capacity.

    Competitive advantage

    5G is believed to have important competitive implications. Up to 60% of surveyed executives believe 5G will cover nearly all the population by the year 2022, and 70% believe that 5G applications will give them a competitive edge with customers. Speed will be a key advantage according to 46% of respondents while 42% cite its capacity.

    “The reality is that 5G will bring a major wave of connectivity that opens new dimensions for innovation and commercial and economic development,” said George Nazi, Accenture’s Network practice global lead. “Breakthroughs in three-dimensional video, immersive television, autonomous cars, and smart-city infrastructure will unleash opportunities that are difficult to imagine today but will soon be transformative. Telecommunications companies will play a pivotal role in bringing these prospects to light.”

    Role of carriers

    Up to 72% of executives said they need help to imagine future possibilities and use cases of 5G. These see telcos as just the right partner on their 5G journeys, cited by 40% of respondents. Hampering this partnership is the recognition by 60% of respondents who cite telcos’ lack of industry knowledge as a key challenge.

    Other barriers include the need for upfront investment (36%), security (32%) and employee buy-in (29%). While 78% of executives believe that using 5G in the workplace will make their business more secure, 32% have concerns about the security of the new connectivity standard.

    Anders Lindblad, Accenture’s Communications & Media industry lead for Europe, said, “Despite the knowledge gap, there is excitement among business leaders about the value that 5G can bring to enterprises. This value is currently trapped within the perceived risks and uncertainty around 5G, which can be unlocked by organizations that understand customer needs, can overcome barriers to adoption and can drive collaboration among service providers.”

  • Tata Communications posts $32.5m Q4 loss

    Tata Communications posts $32.5m Q4 loss

    Tata Communications has reported a 2.09 billion rupee ($32.5 million) net loss for the fourth quarter, with earnings impacted by issues including the impact of the demonetization of India’s 500 and 1000 rupee banknotes.

    Gross revenue fell 10% year-on-year to 43 billion rupees, with ebitda down 35.9% over the same period to 5.03 billion rupees.

    Besides the effect of demonetization, revenue was negatively impacted by the loss of revenue arising from the sale of 17 data centers in India and Singapore for $663 million in May last year.

    Cable repair costs, employee-related expenses and legal fees associated with the court battle over NTT DoCoMo’s stake in the Tata DoCoMo joint venture also contributed to the decline.

    With the Delhi High Court recently declaring the validity of the settlement agreement between Tata Teleservices, holding company Tata Sons and DoCoMo, entitling the Japanese operator to collect the $1.18 billion award reached in an earlier settlement agreement, Tata Communications said it has made a provision of 8.72 billion rupees for the current quarter.

    For the full year, Tata Communications reported a net profit of 12.23 billion rupees, or $184 million in US dollar terms, as well as 5.2% lower gross revenue of 194.9 billion rupees.

    “Market demand for our services remain strong and we continue to increase our wallet share with large global enterprises,” Tata Communications CEO Vinod Kumar commented.

    “The conclusion of the Data Center and Neotel deals makes us stronger, more agile. This will help drive focus and momentum into our evolution from a traditional telco to a next generation digital enablement provider.”

  • Panalpina Transforms Global Communications Infrastructure with BT

    Panalpina Transforms Global Communications Infrastructure with BT

    BT has announced a contract with Panalpina, one of the world’s leading freight forwarding and logistics companies, to transform and manage its global communications infrastructure. The transformation will enable Panalpina’s 15,000 employees to better communicate and collaborate internally and with their customers. This supports the company’s vision to work closer with its clients to build smart and efficient end-to-end logistics solutions.

    BT will overhaul Panalpina’s network infrastructure, currently sourced from more than a dozen domestic and regional providers, and migrate it into a single integrated platform, connecting 500 offices in more than 75 countries. BT will also provide services from its BT One Voice portfolio, to converge voice and data on a single platform.

    The new network will be a hybrid infrastructure, based on BT’s IP Connect and Internet Connect services, combining the reliability and security of IP-based Virtual Private Networks (VPN) with the flexibility of Internet connections. BT’s services will underpin the continued implementation of Panalpina’s new global enterprise resource planning (ERP) and transportation management systems, which require optimal end-to-end control of the infrastructure.

    Additional services, such as BT Connect Intelligence, will provide an application-aware network architecture designed to support strategic business applications.

    “This agreement with BT is a major milestone on our way to becoming the most customer focused global provider of freight forwarding and logistics solutions,” said Ralf Morawietz, Chief Information Officer at Panalpina. “As our single point of contact for communication services, BT will take away the burden of managing a multitude of different suppliers, and will make it easier for us to implement new services and to support our employees and customers around the globe.”

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