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  • NTT SmartConnect and Megaport Unveil Innovative Cloud and IX Services in Japan

    NTT SmartConnect and Megaport Unveil Innovative Cloud and IX Services in Japan

    NTT SmartConnect Corporation, operating from Osaka, is poised to enhance Japan’s digital landscape with its latest venture. Under the leadership of President and CEO Kento Miyaoku, the company has announced a strategic partnership with Megaport Japan K.K., a renowned global network service provider based in Brisbane, Australia, and led by CEO Michael Reid. This collaboration will culminate in the opening of a new connection point that promises to transform the way businesses in Japan access cloud services.

    A Milestone in Connectivity

    Situated within the Sonezaki Data Center in the heart of Osaka, this connection point is set to launch on Wednesday, July 23, 2025. With Megaport’s multi-cloud connectivity service, businesses will soon find themselves at the intersection of innovation and efficiency. The service boasts connections to over 975 data centers and supports more than 410 service providers, including industry heavyweights such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Salesforce.

    Clients can look forward to a suite of benefits, including seamless bandwidth adjustments, cost savings, rapid deployment of services, and streamlined connections to diverse cloud solutions. In a world where digital agility is paramount, this development could serve as a much-needed shot in the arm for companies eager to expand their capabilities.

    A New Era with MegaIX

    In addition to its connectivity services, this initiative marks the debut of Megaport’s internet exchange (IX) service, dubbed MegaIX, in Japan—an offering that will now be available from the Sonezaki Data Center.

    NTT SmartConnect’s forward-thinking approach highlights a commitment to not only enhancing customer business efficiency but also supporting global expansion. As Miyaoku noted, this collaboration stands as a testament to their joint vision of pioneering seamless digital connectivity in the Asian market.

    In a move that might remind you of the first time your favorite band released a surprise album, this partnership marks an exciting chapter for Japan’s retail and tech sectors, one that promises to generate a buzz and reshape digital commerce.

    Questions & Answers

    How will the new connection point benefit businesses in Japan?
    The new connection point will provide seamless multi-cloud connectivity, enabling businesses to adjust bandwidth, save costs, deploy services quickly, and connect effectively to major cloud platforms.

    What specific service is Megaport introducing in Japan with this collaboration?
    Megaport is launching its internet exchange service, MegaIX, in Japan, enhancing connectivity options from the Sonezaki Data Center.

    What are NTT SmartConnect’s future plans regarding this partnership?
    NTT SmartConnect aims to continue collaborating with Megaport to improve customer business efficiency and facilitate global expansion opportunities.

  • Globe Business Harnesses Data-Driven Strategies to Fuel Growth in the Digital Marketplace

    Globe Business Harnesses Data-Driven Strategies to Fuel Growth in the Digital Marketplace

    As the digital economy rapidly transforms industries across Southeast Asia, the Philippines is strategically positioning itself to become a pivotal hub for innovation, data, and connectivity. With soaring digital consumption and an advantageous location, the country stands at the forefront of this technological wave.

    In an exclusive interview with Telecom Review Asia, Raymond Policarpio, Vice President and Head of Strategy Management and Business Investments at Globe Business, the corporate arm of Globe Telecom, shed light on the Philippines’ journey to becoming a cornerstone in the global digital economy.

    Charting the Philippines’ Path in the Global Digital Economy

    The Philippines is primed to emerge as a major regional digital hub, bolstered by soaring data consumption rates. Among international data consumers, Filipinos rank high, particularly on platforms like Meta and YouTube. However, to fully realize this potential, robust infrastructure development is essential.

    While neighboring Southeast Asian nations such as Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, and Hong Kong are stepping up as regional leaders, the Philippines offers unique advantages, including a strategic location and a sizeable, predominantly working-age demographic. The pivotal challenge lies in enhancing the country’s infrastructure capabilities.

    At Globe Business, addressing this infrastructure gap is a top priority. The company is heavily investing in modernizing its digital infrastructure, encompassing expansive domestic fiber networks and international subsea cables. Additionally, investments in cable landing stations (CLS) and data centers are paramount to ensure the infrastructure remains modern, reliable, and prepared for future needs. These developments are critical not just for technological progress, but positioning the nation in the global digital landscape.

    The Role of Data Centers and Subsea Cables in Digital Advancement

    In today’s data-driven world, information is the new gold, yet it requires the right storage and access solutions. The adage “build it and they will come” rings true—the current volume of data already flowing through the Philippines promises to multiply as we introduce enhanced data centers. Access to this information hinges on robust cable systems, both domestically and internationally.

    Globe Business is actively developing these vital data centers through its subsidiary, STT GDC Philippines, while also forming strategic partnerships for broader infrastructure cooperation. This initiative promises to propel the nation’s digital transformation.

    In the past year, the company launched a domestic submarine cable network to handle rising local data traffic. On the international front, the Asia Link Cable (ALC), expected to connect the Philippines with regional powerhouses Singapore and Japan by 2026/2027, exemplifies these efforts. With several additional cable systems in progress, Globe is focused on scaling infrastructure to keep pace with America’s data surge.

    Infrastructure Investments: Balancing Profit with Purpose

    At Globe Business, the evaluation of infrastructure investments encompasses not only financial returns but also broader societal impact. Leading the Strategy Management team means emphasizing the importance of value creation. Policarpio highlights that when establishing subsea cables, for example, it can take five to seven years for them to come online, necessitating forward-thinking vision to unlock their true potential, not just for Globe but for the entire country.

    The company opts to prioritize sustainability and nation-building, focusing on expanding accessibility for consumers and enterprises alike. This strategic value-driven approach underpins their infrastructure investments.

    The Cloud Revolution: Embracing Trends in Local Business

    Data remains the linchpin, propelling the rise of cloud adoption among businesses. The burgeoning data ecosystem not only fuels interest in cloud computing but also in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence.

    Large enterprises are increasingly embracing cloud solutions, yet what’s particularly intriguing is the rapid cloud uptake among small and medium-sized enterprises. Many SMEs may not fully grasp the intricacies of cloud technology, but they unknowingly leverage it through AI-driven tools and cloud applications from providers like Google and Microsoft.

    Globe Business is responding with comprehensive solutions spanning connectivity, cloud services, and security while offering guidance to SMEs navigating their digital transformation journeys. Helping these businesses thrive is integral to Globe’s mission, as the adoption of cloud and AI technologies becomes an everyday reality.

    Collaboration: The Key to Infrastructure Growth

    Within the competitive telecommunications landscape, collaboration stands crucial at Globe Business. Policarpio asserts that authentic infrastructure growth can stem only from cooperative partnerships, aligning shared objectives among global and local players alike.

    Ongoing Projects to Fortify the Digital Landscape

    Globe Business is diligently engaged in enhancing the country’s digital infrastructure through various significant initiatives. A cornerstone project is the Philippine Domestic Submarine Cable Network, built in partnership with local collaborators to create a fiber-rich and reliably modern backbone tailored to the archipelago’s diverse connectivity needs.

    The company continues to expand its fiber network across the nation while establishing more cable landing stations to meet rising data demands from global titans such as Microsoft, Google, and Meta. The upcoming ALC will link the Philippines to regional hubs like Singapore and Japan, reflecting shifting internet traffic trends driven by geopolitical dynamics. Furthermore, sustained investments in data centers are vital to nurturing this thriving digital ecosystem.

    Questions & Answers

    How is Philippines’ digital infrastructure progressing and what role does Globe Business play?
    The Philippines is advancing as a digital hub, with Globe Business investing heavily in infrastructure such as data centers and subsea cables to support its burgeoning data consumption.

    What impact do data centers have on the country’s digital growth?
    Data centers act as essential receptacles for the ever-increasing data flow, enhancing access and storage capabilities crucial for the Philippines to thrive digitally.

    How does Globe Business measure the success of its infrastructure investments?
    Globe Business emphasizes sustainability and societal value over mere profitability, measuring success by how its investments contribute to accessibility and nation-building.

  • Transforming the Cloud: How Data Centers Propel Adoption Across Indonesia and Malaysia

    Transforming the Cloud: How Data Centers Propel Adoption Across Indonesia and Malaysia

    As the digital landscape accelerates across Asia, data centers are emerging as the backbone of telecom cloud adoption. These facilities are not just brick-and-mortar structures; they act as critical nodes where telecommunications companies converge, interlinking with various cloud and IT providers to enhance service delivery.

    Cloud Demand Soars in Indonesia and Malaysia

    In Indonesia, the cloud market is poised for impressive growth, expected to swell from USD 2.44 billion in 2025 to USD 4.80 billion by 2030, achieving a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.52%. An intriguing twist? A staggering 52% of businesses report improved operational efficiency post-cloud adoption, prompting 73% of those yet to embrace cloud solutions to plan their leap within the next two years.

    Meanwhile, in Malaysia, public cloud revenue is set to rise to USD 2.82 billion by 2025, propelled by an anticipated CAGR of 30% through 2030. Malaysian enterprises have already transitioned 48% of their application portfolios to public cloud services, with plans to boost this figure to 64% by 2025.

    Malaysia’s MYDIGITAL strategy is further fueling demand for data centers, which currently operates at about 800 megawatts, a number forecasted to quadruple by 2030. Johor is swiftly evolving as a digital corridor, thanks to its affordable land, substantial space, and improved connectivity. Upcoming data center initiatives in Greater Kuala Lumpur are set to fortify the nation’s cloud capabilities, reinforcing essential infrastructure.

    In a notable development, the newly established “Malaysia West” cloud region will enhance core services such as Azure and Microsoft 365, heralding a significant leap in local cloud performance. This strategic expansion aligns perfectly with Malaysia’s aspirations to become a leading data hub in the region, while the Cloud-First Policy further catalyzes public sector cloud adoption.

    Strategically Placing Cloud Regions for Impact

    The need for low-latency and cloud-native infrastructure is on the rise, and data centers serve as the foundation for deploying virtualized network functions (VNFs), 5G cores, edge computing nodes, and AI-driven services. Currently, Indonesia is home to around 80 operational colocation facilities, predominantly gathered in Jakarta, the nation’s bustling capital. The market thrives on wholesale colocation, a solution well-suited to facilitate large-scale cloud and AI deployments.

    Key players in the field, such as DCI Indonesia, Telkom Indonesia, NTT DATA, and ST Telemedia Global Data Centres, have made substantial investments in data centers. Additionally, major global cloud providers like Amazon Web Services, Microsoft, and Google Cloud are expanding their presence in Jakarta, reinforcing the nation’s strategic significance in the cloud ecosystem.

    In a groundbreaking commitment, Microsoft has announced a USD 2.2 billion investment to create its inaugural cloud region in Malaysia by Q2 2025, which will include the construction of three hyperscale data centers in Greater Kuala Lumpur and Johor.

    This robust ecosystem is drawing in an influx of new digital infrastructure players, with Equinix, Google, and Bridge Data Centres rapidly establishing or growing their operations across Johor, Selangor, and Cyberjaya, which have emerged as pivotal data center hubs, thanks to their land availability and fiber access.

    How Data Centers Supercharge Telco Cloud Services

    The modern telecommunications landscape demands infrastructure that can pivot swiftly. Rather than sinking capital into physical assets with lengthy setup times, telcos can harness data center services for immediate virtual resource deployment.

    Within a data center environment, virtual routers, firewalls, and software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN) nodes can be operational in mere hours. Utilizing telco cloud points of presence (PoPs) allows on-demand services like SD-WAN and content delivery networks to thrive with ultra-low latency, enhancing performance across various regions.

    Data centers serve as vital interconnection hubs, facilitating smooth access to leading cloud service providers such as AWS and Azure. This connectivity enables telcos to integrate hybrid services, deploy AI-driven applications, and manage IoT initiatives efficiently.

    Interestingly, although Equinix’s Singapore campus is not located in Indonesia or Malaysia, it significantly supports both countries’ data infrastructure. With robust connections to 14 submarine cables and over 255 cloud service providers, it positions Southeast Asia for low-latency, high-performance services. Its Jakarta facility is optimized for high-density power and liquid cooling, particularly catering to machine learning workloads.

    Charting the Future of Cloud in Southeast Asia

    Fostering digital transformation, Indonesia and Malaysia are rapidly solidifying their reputations as powerhouses in the data center landscape. Their evolving infrastructures are not just keeping pace with increasing data volumes but are also vital for advanced cloud capabilities that can elevate digital economies across the region.

    The burgeoning investments underline a regional shift toward cloud-focused infrastructures that enhance connectivity, attract global interest, and transform the industrial landscape across Asia.

    Questions & Answers

    What is driving cloud growth in Indonesia and Malaysia?
    The expanding cloud markets in both countries are fueled by rising operational efficiencies among businesses that adopt cloud technologies, along with strong governmental initiatives like Malaysia’s MYDIGITAL strategy.

    How significant is Microsoft’s investment in Malaysia’s cloud infrastructure?
    Microsoft’s USD 2.2 billion investment is a game-changer, as it will establish the company’s first cloud region in Malaysia, constructing three hyperscale data centers that will bolster local cloud services.

    Why are colocation facilities preferred in Indonesia?
    Wholesale colocation facilities are favored for their scalability, enabling support for large-scale cloud and AI deployments, which are essential in modern telecommunications.

  • For complex iPhone AI tasks, Apple will use cloud-based servers running M-series chips

    For complex iPhone AI tasks, Apple will use cloud-based servers running M-series chips

    Apple is planning on having more complex AI tasks for iPhones, iPads, and Macs get sent through the cloud to data centers using servers powered by Apple’s powerful in-house chips. Less complicated AI tasks will be handled directly on-device which will make them faster and more secure. According to a report in Bloomberg written by the news agency’s chief Apple correspondent Mark Gurman, the first chips to be used to power the servers in the data centers will be the M2 Ultra. That chip is currently used to run the Mac Pro and Mac Studio.
    The scuttlebutt calls for Apple to eventually develop an M4 Ultra chip to power the servers in the data centers. Apparently Apple had come up with a plan to use its own chips and cloud-based servers to run complex AI tasks three years ago but decided to accelerate the timeline once OpenAI kicked off the latest AI craze with the ChatGPT chatbot. In December 2022, when ChatGPT first started to become known to the public, Gmail developer Paul Buchheit said that AI will do to internet search what Google did to the Yellow Pages. Namely, make the older technology obsolete.
    Apple will reportedly use the M2 Ultra chip to power the first servers used in the data centers
    On June 10th Apple will kick off WWDC 2024 and the keynote held on that day will preview the AI changes that Apple is planning for iOS 18 and Siri. It is being billed as the largest iOS update ever and we could see things like text summarization, AI-based search options, and document analysis on Safari, Siri, Messages, Mail, and Spotlight Search.
    If you’re like me, you can’t wait to see how Siri is affected by Apple’s AI initiative. The virtual digital assistant, originally launched with the iPhone 4s in 2011, soon found itself not as useful as Google Assistant with too many responses consisting of excepts from three websites. Hopefully the use of AI will help Siri deliver more precise responses to queries.
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  • Tencent Cloud Teams Up With Acclivis to Bring Cloud and ICT Offerings in SE Asia, Mainland China and HK

    Tencent Cloud Teams Up With Acclivis to Bring Cloud and ICT Offerings in SE Asia, Mainland China and HK

    Tencent Cloud and technology services provider Acclivis Technologies and Solutions announced that they have signed a strategic partnership to bring private, public and hybrid cloud and ICT solutions to enterprises in Southeast Asia, mainland China and Hong Kong.

    Tapping Acclivis’ presence in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines and Hong Kong as well as Tencent Cloud’s expertise and experience in China, the collaboration primes both parties to be the go-to partners for Southeast Asian enterprises who want to access China as well as Chinese enterprises keen to expand in Southeast Asia.

    The combined platform will offer Tencent Cloud’s cloud computing services and industry solutions available for verticals including financial services, entertainment, gaming, media and entertainment, retail and more.

    Additionally, the collaboration also provides a one-stop ICT platform featuring the internet services, managed services and IT end-user support provided by Acclivis to address the diverse and interconnected needs of every enterprise’s digital transformation journey.

    This full-suite ICT platform will allow enterprises to enjoy a better customer experience through simplified IT management using AI and machine learning, and also reap cost savings from the synergies expected from the partnership.

    Further highlighting Tencent Cloud’s commitment to bringing only the best cloud solutions to every part of the world, Tencent Cloud said it is pleased to team up with Acclivis to serve Southeast Asian enterprises who want to expand their reach to China.

    Kenneth Siow, regional director for Southeast Asia and general manager of Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia, Tencent Cloud International, said, “Enterprises all over Southeast Asia have clamored for cloud technology that would help them easily connect their businesses to China. We are pleased to enter this new agreement with Acclivis to help businesses and organizations expand their global footprints, whether they are from Southeast Asia or China.”

    Meanwhile, Marcus Cheng, CEO of Acclivis Technologies and Solutions, added, “Acclivis’ mission is to provide reliable and comprehensive ICT solutions to help organizations realize the power of digital transformation. Leveraging on our deep roots in Southeast Asia, our internet connectivity and managed services capabilities, and Tencent Cloud’s years of experience in providing cloud services to various industries, our new partnership will put us ahead of the curve to access greater opportunities in Southeast Asia and China.”

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  • Gaming on cloud nine

    Gaming on cloud nine

    Console and game developers constantly have to reinvent themselves in order to stay ahead of the competition, and it would appear that cloud gaming is the next big thing in playing online games. According to gaming experts, the year 2021 is shaping up to be a significant year for cloud gaming. According to experts, Microsoft will be a substantial source of cloud gaming sales in 2021. Several companies have been attempting to create “cloud gaming” for a few years now. This is similar to how Apple Music or Spotify download music, except for video games.

    Let’s look at some of the platforms that will be offering these services and how they differ.

    Google Stadia 

    Google is constantly trying to improve their user experiences. Google Stadia is the first actual long-term forecast for cloud gaming. Gamers are about to get a welcome reprieve after spending years bound to the console update cycle. Stadia gives you access to an ever-expanding digital game library that works on any computer. We’ve finally put it to the test in our own house, and we can confidently claim that it’s a genuine console alternative and, in time, a possible platform killer. It does a lot of things correctly. The service offers on-the-go streaming via phones and tablets, as well as at home on PCs and Chromecast, in addition to remarkably enjoyable output with little to no latency on our home network. Furthermore, Stadia includes built-in YouTube Gaming live-streaming and, if you purchase the Premiere Edition, an ergonomic Wi-Fi controller that decreases latency, demonstrating Google’s thorough examination of Stadia.

    Like every other streaming service, your experience would be drastically different depending on your distance from Google’s servers and your communication speed. Unlike consoles, which work about the same from one place to the next, there’s no guarantee that we’ll all have the same experience when it comes to game-streaming. There are a few minor issues with the service that will be resolved over time, but if Google can clear up the mystery surrounding Pro and turn on all of the functionality it promised, it might be the end-all game-streaming site.

    Project X-Cloud 

    Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is simply a monthly subscription that includes various providers. Subscribers get Xbox Game Pass for consoles, PC, Xbox Live Gold, EA Play, and access to Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta) on Android devices all in one package. That means you’ll be able to choose from a wide range of games on console or PC, all of which you’ll be able to play online, and you might never have to buy a game on the Xbox One or one of the recent Xbox Series S / Xbox Series X consoles again. You won’t need an Xbox or a PC to play your favourite games for the first time because you can stream them from the cloud to your computer.

    Link problems and video latency remind you that this isn’t a 1 to 1 experience, but we’re getting closer to making the ‘on the go’ console gaming experience. Combining Game Pass with XCloud is a very appealing prospect, mainly because Game Pass is still one of the best deals in gaming. Since everybody has a phone and lots of people have controllers, the ability to throw your controller in your pocket and access your Xbox library from anywhere might be a big selling point for Microsoft.

    Nvidia GeForce

    Nvidia has been working on its GeForce Now subscription service for a few years, and it has now graduated from beta to a fully commercially available subscription service. Though it isn’t ideal, it is a convenient and user-friendly service for playing PC games on non-gaming computers. Free and Founders membership tiers are eligible for GeForce Now. The Founders membership gives you preferential access to Nvidia’s systems, as well as streaming with RTX ray-tracing allowed and six-hour gaming sessions. The free membership disables RTX and only allows you to play for an hour at a time before having to wait in line to use Nvidia’s computers again.

    GeForce Now, like all other game streaming services, demands a lot of internet bandwidth and speed. For 720p60 game streaming, you’ll need at least a 15Mbps link, and for 1080p60 game streaming, you’ll need at least a 25Mbps connection. To link to your router, you’ll need either a wired or a 5GHz Wi-Fi connection. Although there are a lot of games available, you might have trouble finding them because the user interface for selecting games isn’t very good.

    Conclusion

    Although each of the three platforms has advantages and disadvantages, it appears that the cloud gaming industry is waiting for most people’s internet speeds to improve. The technology exists and performs admirably under ideal conditions. However, the inconsistency of options for playing games you already own on the go means that none of these services will be as familiar or reliable as console gaming for a long time. Regardless of this, the future appears very exciting, and this new technology could attract new gamers.

     

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  • Cloud Services Growth to Amazon profit

    Cloud Services Growth to Amazon profit

    Amazon profit surged 118 per cent during the first quarter of this year, from US$1.6 billion to $3.56 billion.

    Operating income during the March quarter reached $4.4 billion, compared to $1.9 billion the same time last year. The increases come off the back of a 17-per-cent growth in sales to $59.7.

    While the company grew its North American operating income over the period to $2.28 billion, its international division reduced its loss from $622 million last year to a more modest $90 million this year.

    Research firm eMarketer estimates that Amazon holds about 47 per cent of the US e-commerce market, which is set to grow 20 per cent to $282.5 billion this year.

    EMarketer principal analyst Andrew Lipsman said the quarter was fuelled by the strength of Amazon’s cloud and advertising business, which continues to inflate the company’s margins.

    “While AWS’s momentum continues unabated and is clearly the bigger driver of this profit story at the moment, the advertising flywheel now appears to be in full effect for Amazon and will only be a bigger part of the growth story over the near term,” Lipsman said.

    Amazon’s AWS segment saw net sales grow 40 per cent year-on-year, from $5.4 billion to almost $7.7 billion, contributing $2.2 billion to the company’s quarterly income.

    Looking ahead, Amazon expects second-quarter sales to land between $59.5 and $63.5 billion, representing an annual growth of between 13 and 20 per cent.

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  • Global public cloud spend to 17.5% in 2019

    Global public cloud spend to 17.5% in 2019

    Gartner forecasts worldwide public cloud services market will grow 17.5% in 2019 to reach a total of $214.3 billion, up from $182.4 billion in 2018.

    Cloud system infrastructure services, or infrastructure as a service (IaaS) is forecast to grow 27.5% in 2019 and reach $38.9 billion, up from $30.5 billion in 2018 (see Table 1). The second-highest growth rate of 21.8% will be achieved by cloud application infrastructure services, or platform as a service (PaaS).

    Gartner research vice president, Sig Nag, says “we know of no vendor or service provider today whose business model offerings and revenue growth are not influenced by the increasing adoption of cloud-first strategies in organizations. What we see now is only the beginning, though. Through 2022, Gartner projects the market size and growth of the cloud services industry at nearly three time the growth of overall IT services.”

    Gartner expects that by the end of 2019, more than 30% of technology providers’ new software investments will shift from cloud-first to cloud-only. This means that license-based software consumption will further plummet, while SaaS and subscription-based cloud consumption models continue their rise.

    “Organizations need cloud-related services to get onboarded onto public clouds and to transform their operations as they adopt public cloud services,” said Nag. Currently almost 19% of cloud budgets are spent on cloud-related services, such as cloud consulting, implementation, migration and managed services, and Gartner expects that this rate will increase to 28% by 2022.

    “As cloud continues to become mainstream within most organizations, technology product managers for cloud related service offerings will need to focus on delivering solutions that combine experience and execution with hyperscale providers’ offerings,” said Nag.

    He sees the complementary approach as driving both transformation and optimization of an organization’s infrastructure and operations.

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  • SK Telecom builds 5G mobile edge computing open platform

    SK Telecom builds 5G mobile edge computing open platform

    SK Telecom unveiled its mobile edge computing (MEC) open platform, which it says can enhance response times in 5G data communications. The operator plans to open up its MEC platform to enterprise customers to enable them to offer new services.

    MEC, which will be used in 5G networks to deliver ultra-low latency data, enables operators to cut down on latency by installing tiny data centers at 5G base stations. SK Telecom says MEC can cut latency by 60%. Applications such as AR/VR services, cloud gaming services, autonomous driving and fleet management, and real-time live broadcasting will all make use of MEC in 5G networks.

    “By opening up the ‘5G Mobile Edge Computing Platform’, SK Telecom will secure the basis for expanding the MEC-related ecosystem and accelerating the release of 5G services,” said Park Jin-hyo, CTO of SK Telecom, in a statement. “SK Telecom will join hands with diverse companies throughout the globe to boost the adoption of MEC-based services.”

    SK Telecom is releasing an API that enterprise customers can use to develop MEC-based 5G services. The company is betting enterprise customers can use the platform to improve efficiency and QoE by reducing latency in communications. A smart factory, for example, can use the MEC platform and a 5G network to increase response time of manufacturing robots.

    At Mobile World Congress this year, the operator teamed up with MobiledgeX to demo a MEC-based industrial AR service. SK Telecom is also working with the Telecom Infra Project (TIP), the Facebook-backed tech initiative, to build out an ecosystem for MEC developers.

    SK Telecom also successfully conducted a 4G-5G network dual connectivity test with Samsung, using Samsung’s E-UTRAN New Radio Dual Connectivity (EN-DC) tech, which is based on the 3GPP 5G NR standard.

    The test checked network device interoperability using dual connectivity technology on 4G and 5G networks using Samsung’s Galaxy S10 5G smartphone and its virtual core (vCore) product that supports 4G and 5G simultaneously. The companies were able to achieve data rates of 2.65 Gbps on a 5G smartphone, with 1.5 Gbps coming from 5G using 3.5-GHz frequency and 1.15 Gbps coming from LTE using 1.8-GHz, 2.1-GHz, and 2.6-GHz frequencies.

    SK Telecom says the technology can be used to improve transmission data speed by 80% by leveraging the 4G and 5G dual connectivity.

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  • HGC launches iBizCloud in Indonesia

    HGC launches iBizCloud in Indonesia

    Hutchison Global Communications (HGC) has teamed up with Indonesian ISP PT Centrin Online Prima to launch a cloud service tailored for the Indonesia market.

    The launch of ibizCloud in Jakarta aims to provide a one-stop global cloud service that meets the infrastructure and speed requirements of local and international enterprises.

    HGC is providing cloud technologies and service design, as well as international connectivity, while Centrin Online provides local connectivity for the service. This launch aims to help the latter meet increasing demand for data exchanges from corporations operating in Indonesia.

    Offered as a total solution, ibizCloud aims to enable Indonesian businesses to access reliable cloud storage without having to make hefty upfront investment in infrastructure.

    The service grants access to a cloud environment via infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS), bandwidth-as-a-service (BaaS) and dedicated bandwidth-as-a-service (DBaaS).

    Customer organizations can also choose to use on-demand Virtual Leased Line (ODVLL), which facilitates end-to-end data transmission over a secure network. ibizCloud comes complete with virtualised infrastructure such as virtual machines, CPU cores, RAM and storage.

    “Making ibizCloud available in Jakarta represents a great start to 2017 for HGC,” commented Andrew Kwok, Limited president of international and carrier for HGC parent company Hutchison Telecommunications (Hong Kong).

    “The new cloud site strengthens ibizCloud’s market position in Asia, following launch of the service in Hanoi last December. HGC works tirelessly to enhance ibizCloud features in order to meet ever-rising demand from multinationals. One of the value-added features to look out for in early 2017 will be a resource pool arrangement by which customers can allocate additional resource promptly, without having to go through a subscription process.”

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  • AsiaInfo strengthens cloud computing portfolio

    AsiaInfo strengthens cloud computing portfolio

    Chinese telecoms IT software company AsiaInfo has signed a strategic co-operation agreement with Alibaba Cloud, the cloud computing arm of Alibaba Group.

    The two companies said they will work together on projects and jointly promote China as a center of excellence for cloud computing services and innovation.

    The partnership will also see the pair share a wide range of resources and jointly build a more open cloud ecosystem to form the basis of a comprehensive portfolio of cloud-based services.

    AsiaInfo said the company is stepping up its transition from a supplier of IT solutions to telco service providers, to a specialist in enabling digital business transformation for operators, their partners and other enterprises.

    Cloud-based delivery platforms and exchanges play a key role in the company’s vision of the industrial and business-led Internet, and the partnership with Alibaba Cloud will enable the company to continue to develop and deliver advanced operator and business solutions, the company added.

    “We are entering a new era of the internet. An era where people and things become customers, where service providers and businesses become operators, and where cloud-based business technology platforms will form both the backbone and the brains of the digital network,” said AsiaInfo CEO Michael Wu.

    “Our partnership with Alibaba Cloud will ensure we stay at the forefront of developments and provide innovative and ground-breaking solutions to our customers.”

  • India’s GCX expands cloud ecosystem

    India’s GCX expands cloud ecosystem

    Reliance Communications subsidiary Global Cloud Xchange (GCX) has expanded its cloud ecosystem with the addition of support for Microsoft Azure ExpressRoute.

    The company is offering access to ExpressRoute via its CLOUD X Fusion service in Chennai.

    CLOUD X Fusion allows enterprises to use Ethernet or MPLS VPN to privately connect their on-premise network or data center directly to Microsoft’s cloud platforms.

    Besides Chennai, CLOUD X nodes have been launched in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Hyderabad, as well as Hong Kong, California, London and New York.

    “As India enterprises enter a new era of digital globalization, they require sophisticated new levels of support to tap into opportunities from the convergence of Big Data and the IoT, to the latest augmented reality apps,” RCom and GCX SVP of global product management Braham Singh said.

    “Through the interconnection of CLOUD X Fusion and Microsoft Azure ExpressRoute, customers will benefit from the added flexibility and global reach to be more competitive as we look at new opportunities from the ‘Digital India’ initiatives.”

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  • Public cloud market set to grow 17% in 2016

    Public cloud market set to grow 17% in 2016

    The worldwide public cloud services market is projected to grow 17% in 2016 to $208.6 billion, according to Gartner.

    The highest growth will come from IaaS, which is projected to grow 43% in 2016. SaaS, one of the largest segments in the global cloud services market, is expected to grow 22% in 2016 to reach $38.9 billion.

    “There’s no question there is great appetite within organizations to use cloud services, but there are still challenges for organizations as they make the move to the cloud,” said Sid Nag, research director at Gartner. “Even with the high rate of predicted growth, a large number of organizations still have no current plans to use cloud services.”

    IT modernization is currently the top driver of public cloud adoption, followed by cost savings, innovation, agility and other benefits. The focus on IT modernization indicates a more sophisticated and strategic use of public cloud services.

    Security and/or privacy concerns continue to be the top inhibitors to public cloud adoption, despite the strong security track record and increased transparency of leading cloud providers.

    Most organizations are already using a combination of cloud services from different cloud providers. While public cloud usage will continue to increase, the use of private cloud and hosted private cloud services is also expected to increase at least through 2017.

    The increased use of multiple public cloud providers, plus growth in various types of private cloud services, will create a multi-cloud environment in most enterprises and a need to coordinate cloud usage using hybrid scenarios.

    Although hybrid cloud scenarios will dominate, there are many challenges that inhibit working hybrid cloud implementations. Organizations that are not planning to use hybrid cloud indicated a number of concerns, including integration challenges, application incompatibilities, a lack of management tools, a lack of common APIs and a lack of vendor support.

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  • IIJ, TCCT launch joint cloud services in Thailand

    IIJ, TCCT launch joint cloud services in Thailand

    Internet Initiative Japan and Thai data center and IT infrastructure provider TCC Technology (TCCT) have jointly launched a new cloud service in Thailand named Leap GIO Cloud.

    The new service is being operated by Leap Solutions Asia (LSA), a joint venture between the two companies.

    Targeted at local Thai companies and Japanese enterprises doing business in the market, Leap GIO Cloud encompasses both public and private cloud services.

    The public cloud service can be self-provisioned and billed on an hourly or monthly basis, while the private cloud service is being offered for a monthly fee.

    LSA has also secured SAP certifications for hosting services, cloud services and SAP HANA operations services, and will use these certifications to offer support for implementing and operating SAP BASIS in the cloud.

    LSA was established in April  as a 60/40 joint venture majority-owned by TCCT.  The joint venture aims to become a market leader in Thailand’s cloud sector.

  • Globe to deploy fiber in 20,000 villages

    Globe to deploy fiber in 20,000 villages

    The Philippines’ Globe Telecom has committed to connect 2 million Filipino homes with high-speed internet access with a speed of at least 10Mbps and above by 2020.

    The operator plans to deploy fiber in 20,000 villages across the country to achieve this goal.

    “That will change a lot for families because families today are so dependent on the internet,” said Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu at an event on Friday night.

    “Industries and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) also cannot flourish without dependable connection to the United States, the UK, Australia and to the rest of the world.”

    “We are committed to spending $500 million to upgrade the network of Globe to enable continuous growth among enterprises in the Philippines,” he added.

    Since the joint purchase of the telco assets owned by San Miguel Corporation (SMC) by Globe Telecom and PLDT last May, both companies have been rolling out LTE 700-MHz cell sites across the country. In the Globe network, around 250 such cell ties will have been activated in Metro Manila by the end of this month, at least 188 of which will be active in the National Capital Region.

    Cu said the goal is to deploy at least 500 LTE 700-MHz cell sites nationwide by the end of 2016.

    The majority of these sites will cover major business districts and highly urbanized and populated areas in the country, including Metro Manila, Metro Cebu, and Metro Davao.

    Globe’s chief executive emphasized that the company is maximizing the use of the previously idle 700-MHz band in fulfillment of its commitment to the National Telecommunications Commission to improve the overall internet experience of its customers following the sell-out of SMC’s telco assets.

    “One of our goals its to try to create an experience as close to first world internet as possible. You can now do this with mobile, given the amount of spectrum that we have,” he said.

    Parallel to this, Globe has also started rolling out a capacity expansion program for its corporate data network to address the bandwidth requirement of its enterprise clients. The company will be equipping 61 of its corporate sites with fiber technology.