For communications professionals in the southern Asian region SOUTHERN ASIAN

WIRELESSCOMMUNICATIONS Q1 2021 Volume 14 Number 1

l Satellite: a thing of the past or a thing of the future? l The growing importance of FWA and Wi-Fi on the move l Southern Asian mobile fraud, according to Evina

Experts in RF over Fiber

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4 SOUTHERN AFRICAN WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS January/February 2019

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COMMUNICATIONSWIRELESS Q1 2021 5 NEWS 5 NEWS u Volume 14 Cambodia’s NIG going ahead u Globe sees traffic spike Number 1 u Nokia chosen for 5G rollout u NBTC considers payment for 5G licences u SES supplies broadband to villages u launches LTE service u Wireless Logic expands global footprint 18 FEATURE I u Thaicom searches for LEO partner u Bangladeshi players fork out ViaLite designs and manufactures u Pakistan’s disrupted RF over fiber links and systems for a u Maldives to subsea cable goes live range of applications including Satcom, 13 WIRELESS BUSINESS LEO and MEO; transporting satellite Vyke and x-Mobility sign two new deals for signals between antennas and control APAC expansion rooms. The links are also used in Mil- 25 FEATURE II 18 FEATURE Aero, Defence, Broadcast, Cellular and Shaping the future of satcoms Network Timing etc. ViaLite’s links 22 INDUSTRY VIEW include: L-Band HTS, VSAT, C-Band Evina’s David Lofti explains how mobile (covering 500 MHz-7.5 GHz), Hyper- carriers can stop the financial havoc Wide Dynamic Range, Ultra-Wideband, 25 FEATURE UHF/VHF, Satellite IF, SIGINT, GPS & 28 WIRELESS SOLUTIONS Fixed wireless access and Wi-Fi on the move more. Solutions include Long Distance DWDM Link Systems covering up to 600 28 WIRELESS SOLUTIONS Teltronic presents the new MCBS km and the Rain Fade Diversity System for Ka-Band. ViaLite also offers a range 31 WORLD NEWS u Phoenix Tower and Monaco Telecom partner of supporting products such as: SNMP u ‘Most African operators lack a strategy’ for monitoring and control, the System u SpaceX’s Starlink arriving in Lebanon in 2022 Designer Tool (for designing DWDM u Nokia to supply Cibicom with LTE network u Greece’s OTE Telecom targets growth systems) and outdoor enclosures. u Potraz boss criticises telecoms vandals ViaLite products include a long 5-year u Zambia issues new spectrum invitation warranty as standard. 35 Q&A 30 WORLD NEWS Catching up with Malcolm Chan from BICS Experts in RF over Fiber SUBSCRIPTIONS: [email protected] Southern Asian Wireless Communications is a controlled circulation quarterly magazine. Register now for your free subscription at www.kadiumpublishing.com www.vialite.com Readers who do not qualify under the terms of control can purchase an annual subscription at the cost of £110. For more information and general enquiries please contact Suzanne Thomas at [email protected] or call +44 (0) 1932 886 537.

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4 SOUTHERN AFRICAN WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS January/February 2019

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Cambodia’s NIG going Nokia chosen for 5G rollout ahead in face of criticism Nokia has been selected by Globe Telecom in a three-year deal to Cambodia is to press ahead with upgrade its existing 4G network heavily-criticised plans to establish and expand the geographical reach a National Internet Gateway (NIG) of its 5G network at over 1,000 to direct, manage and facilitate all sites in the Philippines. of the country’s internet traffic.. The deployment will cover the According to a report in the Phnom second and third largest islands of Penh Post, the country’s prime Mindanao and Visayas and will begin minister Hun Sen signed a sub- in Q2 2021 with completion expect- decree on in February outlining the ed in 2023. Under the terms of the gateway’s proposed role in routing deal, Nokia will provide equipment local and international internet and services from its comprehensive traffic, enabling “effective and 5G AirScale portfolio to build out efficient” revenue collection and the Radio Access Network (RAN), management, and safeguarding including base stations and other national security and social order. radio access products. The NIG will incorporate and Globe will also use Nokia’s high- oversee both the Domestic Internet capacity AirScale massive MIMO Exchange (DIX) and the Interna- Adaptive Antenna solution, which tional Internet Gateway (IIG). It utilises the latest 64TR radios to is understood that these will be boost coverage and performance. situated in the capital Phnom Penh, Utilising the new 3.5GHz Sihanoukville, Poipet, Bavet and oth- spectrum band for dense urban er locations based on demand. They The operator must “manage and facilitate connections and the use of coverage, Globe will be able to will also be subject to approval from infrastructure, network and internet services at all instances of the NIG, as provide end-users with high peak the Ministry of Posts and Telecom- well as terrestrial cross-border network infrastructure speeds typical on 5G network. munications Cambodia (MPTC). Furthermore, the deal will also see Cambodia’s decision to create NIG licence from the network connections or peering the expansion of the existing FDD/ was first proposed in July 2020, but Regulator of Cambodia (TRC). facilities for NIG and operators of TDD LTE network infrastructure. was criticised by the Asia Internet According to the authorities, international gateways”. These solutions will enable Globe Coalition (AIC), which claimed that the operator must “manage and It must “take immediate action to to roll out 5G services across gateway could be used to restrict facilitate connections and the block or disconnect any network con- the two major islands of the internet access for civilians, posing use of infrastructure, network nection that affects national revenue, Philippines and offer customers a threat to businesses and internet and internet services at all security [or] social order” in collabo- superior speeds, capacity and lower platforms as well as freedom of instances of the NIG, as well as ration with the country’s authorities latencies while reducing complexity. expression and user privacy. terrestrial cross-border network including the MPTC and TRC. Finnish gear-maker Nokia will Reports also claimed the infrastructure. It will have to install Meanwhile, the MPTC again called provide its NetAct solution for government has not appointed an and configure the routers, switches for the kingdom’s operators to network management and seamless operator for the NIG, with interested and other network equipment to improve the quality of mobile and daily network operations as well parties invited to apply to for a ensure the quality and security of internet services available to users. as deliver digital design and deployment and optimization and technical support services. Nokia is an existing partner Pakistan’s internet disrupted after of Globe Telecom and provides a wide range of solutions including undersea cable develops fault wireless, IP, optical, and fixed network products and services. Internet services were hampered developed at SEA-ME-WE 5 (South It is understood that the TWA “It’s exciting to be part of this in Pakistan in mid-February as East Asia-Middle East-Western systems cater to about 40% of project to deliver 5G services to the country’s telecom watchdog 5), which is operated by the internet traffic in Pakistan and the citizens across the Philippines and said one of its six international Trans World Associates (TWA). company executive acknowledged see our industry-leading 5G RAN undersea cables developed a fault. The TWA and the Pakistan that the internet users across the solutions underpin the network,” said The Pakistan Telecommunication Telecommunication Company Ltd country will experience downgraded Tommi Uitto, president of mobile Authority (PTA) said the (PTCL) are the two licence holders speeds until the users are shifted. networks, Nokia. “The expanded and international submarine cable for international landing stations The fault has occurred in the upgraded 5G network will deliver system near Abu Talat, Egypt, of submarine cables. While the cable system coming from France exciting new solutions to even more developed the glitch February 17. TWA operates SEA-ME-WE 5 and and the TWA executive said ISPs people and businesses and our It also acknowledged lower and TW-1 (Transworld), the PTCL were in the process of shifting the technology will play a fundamental internet speeds and frequent submarine cable network comprises load to other submarine systems role in delivering these compelling outages and said the fault SMW-3, SMW-4, I-ME-WE and AAE-1. coming from Singapore. connectivity experiences.”

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Globe sees Maldives to Sri Lanka traffic spike Globe Telecom in the Philippines subsea cable goes live has experienced 24 times increase in traffic to 416.76 TB in February The Maldives Sri Lanka Cable (MSC) 2021 from September 2020 as is now ready for service, 12 months it continued to expand its 5G after the project was first announced. network across the country. This consortium 840km fibre The operator was the first in south- optic submarine cable will provide east Asia to commercially launch 5G connectivity between Hulhumale in AirFiber for home use in 2019. Sub- the Maldives and Mount Lavinia in sequently, Globe Telecom launched Sri Lanka. A joint project between its 5G for mobile in 2020. Globe , Ooredoo and Telecom’s 5G network is now covering Dhiraagu, the cable was delivered approximately 82% of Metro Manila. in partnership with HMN Tech. “We Since February 19 this year, are pleased to have completed Globe’s 5G coverage is present in this project with our international 960 locations in the National Capi- consortium partners Ooredoo tal Region and 240 areas in Visayas and Dhiraagu together with and Mindanao. The Philippines led HMN in record time amidst the the rest of the world in improve- challenges of the pandemic,” said ments in 5G technology compared Supun Weerasinghe, group chief to 4G, when it comes to video expe- executive of Dialog Axiata. rience with a 40% score, according Ismail Rasheed, CEO and manag- to a report from international ana- ing director of Dhiraagu added: “The This consortium 840km fibre optic submarine cable will provide connectivity lytics firm Opensignal. The country MSC system will facilitate the growing between Hulhumale in the Maldives and Mount Lavinia in Sri Lanka ranked ahead of Thailand, which demand for internet in the Maldives, came second with a 29% boost. while increasing our submarine cable Ma Yanfeng, executive vice pres- tinues to provide commercial value Moreover, the Philippines has over- network reliability by providing route ident, HMN Tech the company was to our customers, HMN Tech is com- taken countries like Australia and Hong diversity. The system also caters “honoured to be supported by our mitted to supporting worldwide dig- Kong, ranking second in 5G Download for additional capacity required to customers” to deliver this important ital transformation through leading Speed Improvement with 10.1 times enhance the digital ecosystem and regional network. “Our innovative technologies and effective system increase versus 4G at 117.2 Mbps. provide modern digital services.” products and network solutions con- engineering and deployment.’ Myanmar telecom operators restore internet service

Internet access in Myanmar started operating from 2pm. Norwegian majority state-owned tained at all times, especially during was restored February 7, after Less than 24 hours before, the Telenor Group said in a separate times of conflict, to ensure people’s authorities ordered the country’s company said the Ministry of statement it complied with the basic right to freedom of expression operators to turn off data service Transport and Communications directive, as required by its licence, and access to information”. the day before, following widespread (MoTC) directed all mobile opera- but added it “views this development Myanmar’s military declared anti-government protests. tors to temporarily shut down data with deep concern. We have empha- a state of emergency February 1 Telenor Myanmar issued a short networks, noting voice and SMS sised to the authorities that access after a coup ousted Aung San Suu statement saying its data network services remained open. to telecom services should be main- Kyi’s elected government. Nepal targets 5G mobile internet roll-out by mid-July

Nepal said it is ready to roll-out said it had submitted a proposal on operation. The government will work that were established in January 5G mobile internet by mid-July as February 1 to the National Frequency to expand the 5G network under the 2017. According to Nepal Telecom, it endeavours to become the first Determining Committee under the Digital Nepal Framework 2018. 4G service has reached all 77 dis- country in southern Asia to offer Ministry of Information, Commu- For commercial operation, the tricts in the country, covering 654 super-fast connectivity. nication and Technology to issue a telecom regulator has started doing local units, or 85 percent of the Fifth generation wireless mobile separate frequency for 5G operation. homework to fix the frequency band, population. The authority said that networks will be set up in the According to Nepal, 5G will be spectrum, distribution process, pric- 75 percent of the population used capital Kathmandu and three other tested using different bands and ing and other possibilities, Aryal said. devices that are 4G supportive. major cities under a pilot project by suitable ones will be selected. Once The frequency band needs to be The fifth generation 5G technology the end of this fiscal year. the frequency for 5G operation is separated for trial operation and for cellular broadband networks offers Min Prasad Aryal, director of the separated, state-owned telecom commercial use, he added. faster connections, higher through- Nepal Authority, giant Nepal Telecom will start trial Nepal currently has 4G networks put and more capacity than 4G.

6 SOUTHERN ASIAN WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS Q1 2021

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4 SOUTHERN AFRICAN WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS January/February 2019

SASIA 19Q4 p4 (Rajant).indd 4 01/04/2021 13:32 NEWS NBTC SES supplies broadband considers payment to Indonesian villages Luxembourg’s SES Networks has relief for 5G signed a new broadband deal with Dwi Tunggal Putra (DTP), to enable resi- licences dents of 158 villages in remote parts of Indonesia’s West Java Province. Thailand’s National Broadcasting and The move will offer access to Telecommunications Commission crucial online resources such as (NBTC) was asked to provide mobile educational content, as well as operators extra time to pay for 5G unlocking the potential of the licences along with other potential region’s digital economy. relief, to account for a hit to their DTP will be using high- finances caused by Covid-19. throughput capacity on the SES-12 A report in the Bangkok Post said satellite to support the Ministry of a national 5G committee chaired by Communication and Information prime minister Prayut Chan-o-cha or- Technology’s Smart Village project dered the NBTC to consider delaying and fulfil the government’s universal the payments alongside other poten- service obligation (USO). tial aid packages for the sector. SES is already serving Indo- The watchdog is tasked with nesia’s telecommunication and The move will offer access to crucial online resources such as educational making recommendations at information accessibility agency content, as well as unlocking the potential of the region’s digital economy the committee’s next meeting in Badan Aksesibilitas Telekomunikasi April, according to the report. In dan Informasi’s (BAKTI) Leased services to underserved rural com- commercial officer of DTP. “At DTP, February 2020, AIS, True Move, Capacity Project using the SES-12 munities of Indonesia. we strive to bridge the digital divide dtac, CAT Telecom and TOT ring- ground station in Indonesia. The “Satellite connectivity plays a by providing high-quality internet to fenced THB100.5bn on 2,805MHz Smart Village project, spearheaded critical role in providing internet ac- these far-flung, remote communi- of spectrum in the 700MHz, by BAKTI, aims to bridge the digital cess to many of Indonesia’s villages ties and thereby allowing access to 2600MHz and 26GHz bands. divide and bring much-needed and small towns located in remote essential e-government, e-health and The operators are required to e-government and other essential areas,” said Edi Sugianto, chief e-learning services, among others.” pay for the 700MHz and 2600MHz licences over 10 years. The winning bidders of the 26GHZ spectrum need to pay the full amount within a Etisalat launches 4G LTE service year of the licences being issued. However, operators recorded Etisalat Afghanistan, a subsidiary In a statement, the operator Etisalat 4G, businesses and declines in Q4 2020, with of Abu Dhabi’s Etisalat Group, has said the launch would also enable individuals will benefit from faster AIS’ mobile revenue dropping, True launched 4G LTE services in the customers to choose from a wide and more reliable internet.” Move recording a loss and dtac’s country’s northern Balkh province. range of 4G LTE data plans. Etisalat said it plans to expand its also seeing its profit drop. The introduction of the fourth-gen- “We are pleased to witness the coverage after the 4G LTE launch in In 2018 the NBTC recommended eration technology means customers launch of our 4G network in the Mazar-i-Sharif and has published a relaxing the payment terms of 4G in Mazar-i-Sharif can now enjoy up to beautiful city of Mazar-i-Sharif,’ list available on its website and Face- licences awarded to AIS and True 10 times high-speed internet at the said outgoing Etisalat Afghanistan book page to show the exact locations Move in 2015, but later dropped same price as their plans. CEO, Matthew Willsher. “With where its 4G LTE service is available. SLT-Mobitel helps ‘Gamata Sanniwedanaya’ Project

SLT-Mobitel reached an historic tel as the National Telecommunication the nation’s progress when it hilltop village of Ihalagalagama in milestone by facilitating the Service Provider came forward to comes to telecom infrastructure Ratnapura and was attended by Telecommunications Regulatory facilitate this project as it also falls in and connectivity,” said Lalith several distinguished dignitaries from Commission of Sri Lanka’s (TRCSL) line with the company’s commitment Seneviratne, TRCSL, SLT-Mobitel the TRCSL, SLT-Mobitel and other ‘Gamata Sanniwedanaya’ Project to bridging the digital divide and group CEO. “As the National ICT and relevant government authorities such which aims to empower rural areas leading the nation towards an info Telecommunication Service Provider, as the Central Environment Authority, with supreme connectivity solutions. com and knowledge-rich society. we commend the efforts taken by the Urban Development Authority, the The ‘Gamata Sanniwedanaya’ “SLT-Mobitel strives to maintain Director-General Oshada Senanayake Imbulpe Divisional Secretariat, initiative champions the TRCSL’s prime a strong commitment towards and will continue to support TRCSL the National Building Research objective of powering Sri Lanka with integrating our expertise in the to lead Sri Lanka towards the next Organization (NBRO) - Ratnapura 100% 4G/broadband coverage. Under- info com and technology sphere phase of the digital revolution.” District Office and the Ceylon standing this national vision, SLT-Mobi- and enable the development of A ceremony took place at the Electricity Board, Ratnapura.

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SASIA 21Q1 p5-11 (News) NEW.indd 8 16/04/2021 11:36 NEWS Wireless Logic expands global footprint LPWAN Asia coverage Wireless Logic, the IoT connectivity platform provider, has further strengthened its global presence and market position with the expansion of low power wide area network (LPWAN) services across Asia, Europe and North America. The enlargement comes as a di- rect result of new mobile operator partnerships and the recent acqui- sition of international businesses, including Arkessa, Com4, New Line IoT and Datamobile AG. “When it comes to IoT connectivity, NB IoT and LTE-M services represent low cost, low power solutions that are highly reliable and can stay in the field for multiple years,” said Matthew Tate, CCO at Wireless Logic. “As a result of recent expansion, we are in a strong position to offer customers the local LPWAN services that they The enlargement comes as a direct result of new mobile operator partnerships and the recent acquisition of are asking for with direct access to international businesses, including Arkessa, Com4, New Line IoT and Datamobile AG 75 cellular LPWAN networks in 45 countries across three continents Wireless Logic will provide both and mobile applications, delivering more suitable for static, lower-data, through SIMPro, our operator and LTE-M and NB IoT services for IoT latency and speeds broadly equiva- high-density and passive sensor technology agnostic platform.” applications across the globe. LTE-M lent to 3G, therefore making it suita- applications, making it ideal for use As part of its LPWAN offering, is optimised for higher bandwidth ble for telematics. NB IoT is instead cases such as smart metering. Service provider Thaicom searches for LEO partner

Satellite service provider Thaicom US$99 deposit, putting them on a operators, including Starlink,” said satellites, also known as geostation- is looking to serve as a partner for priority list to purchase the Starlink Patompob Suwansiri, deputy chief ary satellites, that orbit at around any operators offering low Earth kit when it becomes available. executive and chief commercial 36,000km. The lower orbit means orbit (LEO) satellite broadband The latter is targeting service officer of Thaicom. “We are looking lower latency in signal transmission. services as the firm specialises in coverage for Bangkok in 2022, to open for partnership with any Furthermore, LEO satellites are the regional market. according to its website. Interested LEO satellite providers. We have projected by some to have strong The move comes after the LEO customers in Thailand can pre-order more knowledge about the regional business potential because they satellite Starlink project under the service, which will be allotted on market than global players do so we can beam the internet all over the billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk’s a first-come first-serve basis. can support their businesses.” globe, including deep into forests, SpaceX has allowed interested “For a close satellite service LEO satellites operate 500- high in the mountains or even people to pre-order the service society, we have been in the industry 2,000km from Earth’s surface, across oceans, without relying on through its website with a refundable for long and we know all the versus traditional communication terrestrial telecom cell sites. Unregistered SIMs ‘facilitate crimes and terrorist activities’

The Telecom Regulatory Authority SIM cards must be registered by the in the market, approximately 22 rullah Saleh indicated that security of Afghanistan said telecom com- end of 1400 (Solar Hijri Calendar). million of them are active. agencies in the country have gathered panies have been fined for selling Shinwari said the government Previously, Kabul police warned thousands of unregistered SIM cards. unregistered SIM cards, while 70% took this step to ensure security, all of the involved bodies in tele- It has been reported that unregis- of these SIM cards were blocked. because many terrorist activities, coms, not to sell unregistered SIM tered wireless telecom services in the Noor Saeed Shinwari, a spokesman blasts, and various other crimes are cards, as MoI recognizes many of country had facilitated the insurgen- for the ATRA office, told BBC Persian being carried out using unregis- the organized crimes carried by cy or terrorist attacks, IED blasts, all telecom firms in the country were tered mobile SIM cards. unregistered mobile numbers. different criminal activities and warned that all the active and existing Out of 34 million SIM cards sold Afghan first vice president, Am- supported many organised crimes.

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SASIA 21Q1 p5-11 (News) NEW.indd 9 16/04/2021 11:36 NEWS Nepal Gautam Buddha airport deploys Sepura SC20 TETRA radios Gautam Buddha International Airport has become the second airport in Nepal to deploy a TETRA communication solution, following on from Tribhuvan International Airport. The solution will be led by Sepura SC20 hand-held radios, providing the airport’s security and operations team with the standard of secure, robust, reliable communications devices required to safely manage operations. This mission critical communi- cations solution, built on Teltronic’s TETRA infrastructure, is part of the airport’s wider infrastructure upgrade. When complete the airport should ease the burden on Tribhuvan. The TETRA network will allow the airport to respond to the pressure of moving passengers, luggage and cargo at the airport site, improving This mission critical communications solution, built on Teltronic’s TETRA infrastructure, is part of the airport’s both efficiency and safety. It will also wider infrastructure upgrade. When complete the airport should ease the burden on Tribhuvan enable co-ordination between the air- port’s security and operational teams “By adopting Sepura’s SC20 in noisy airside locations,” said convinced of the need to deploy a for everyday operations and, where radios, airport staff will benefit Shiv Prakash Khemka, director of TETRA network to ensure that cov- necessary, emergency response. from the robust design, crystal clear Mahavir Shree International Pvt. erage was achieved throughout the Sepura’s regional partner in Nepal, audio and class-leading coverage Sepura said that having seen the entire airport site, including run- Mahavir Shree International Pvt, capability, making the radio suitable performance of Sepura’s solutions ways, covered walkways, passenger delivered the solution to the airport’s for those working across the airport around the world, the purchasing areas, cargo areas, hangars, under- operational and security teams. in security roles and those working team at Gautam Buddha were ground areas and parking. Myanmar blocks internet following ‘bloodiest night’

Myanmar blocked mobile internet ary. A report on Radio Free Asia said connectivity was restored in the Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, March 15, a day after 70 people were the country is experiencing recurring early hours of March 15, NetBlocks and Twitter remain banned in Myan- killed in what has been described as nightly internet blackouts since tweeted that the mobile network mar “until further notice,” according the “bloodiest” crackdown since the February 15, according to monitoring remains disabled nationwide. to a statement issued by telecom military coup at the start of Febru- service NetBlocks. Although internet Social media platforms, including firm Telenor in early February. Bangladeshi players fork out in latest 4G auction

Bangladesh’s latest round of 4G pay 25% of the total cost before ther contribute to the digitalisation of 1800MHz spectrum for spectrum auctions has generated March 23rd with the remainder to of Bangladesh and meet people’s US$281.4m, bringing its 2100MHz US$898.2m as operators seek to be paid across the next five years. growing need for high-speed internet holding level with Robi Axiata’s steal a march on their competitors Data from BTRC showed that mar- in rural as well as urban areas”. The at 15MHz. Grameenphone, Robi by increasing their holdings amid ket leader Grameenphone paid out the operator plans to use the spectrum Axiata and Banglalink now hold surging demand for data services. most, spending US$391.8m to obtain to increase the reach of its coverage. 20MHz of 1800MHz spectrum. National watchdog the Bangla- 10MHz of 2100MHz and 0.4MHz of Meanwhile, second placed In March last year, Bangladesh desh Telecommunications Regu- 1800MHz airwaves. Its total holding Robi Axiata spent US$225.6m saw internet traffic spike by 15% latory Commission (BTRC) listed now stands at 47.4MHz, including to purchase 5MHz in the as a result of the pandemic. The four 5MHz blocks in the band and 20MHz in the 2100MHz band. 2100MHz band and 2.6MHz in following month saw operators pe- 7.4MHz of 1800MHz spectrum up Grameenphone’s acting CEO and the 1800MHz band. Banglalink tition the regulator to release extra for sale. The concessions last 15 CFO Jens Becker said that the oper- obtained the same amount of spectrum in the 2100MHz band to years and victorious bidders must ator was now “well-positioned to fur- 2100MHz spectrum and 4.4MHz help them cope with demand.

10 SOUTHERN ASIAN WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS Q1 2021

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Martin Jarrold, chief of international Pakistani Talking satellite programme development, GVF

phone users debate about the necessity, and advan- but when data ‘Zoom’ing in on tages, of far greater change than pre- is analysed to pay lower a Global Digital viously conceived. Though a necessary it becomes consequence of the (hopefully) limited information, and Ecosystem phenomenon that is the SARS-Cov2 information is the building advance tax virus, we have undergone a profound block of the knowledge that facilitates In my last column published here change in the human experience, one effective decisions and enables Tax imposed on users I began with the words “The which gives small illustration of the im- positive and productive action. in Pakistan will gradually reduce Digital Divide remains despite portance of a much more deeply rooted Data maintains financial liquidity after the country’s federal cabinet years of debate about solutions to and strategic phenomenon: our ability in markets, improves creativity in approved granting the telecom sec- bridge it.” I was reflecting on the to gather, analyse and disseminate that maintaining and evolving supply chains, tor the status of an “industry”. opening statement of the pre- which can be digitised. makes production of “things” more The approval came on the recom- event description for a dialogue in We have the potential to increasingly efficient using latest manufacturing mendations of the Ministry of IT and the GVF Webinar Series, organised and more accurately understand the technology advances, takes ideas and Telecommunication, according to a in association with the Satellite complexities of the world around us develops them, and builds more robust tweet from the government body. Evolution Group (https://www. – natural disaster causes and conse- cyber security to sit alongside machine Moreover, the ministry said there satellite-evolution.com/). quences, manifestations and effects of learning and artificial intelligence (AI). would be a gradual reduction of In this contribution I would like climate change, monitoring environ- 5G Enhanced Mobile Broadband taxes imposed on the telecom sec- to draw attention to a discussion mental degradation throughout the (eMBB), Ultra Reliable Low Latency tor and mobile phone users. facilitated by another of GVF’s biosphere, human action and inaction Communications (URLLC), and Massive “This is a major achievement that webinars to consider the problem of with consequences including conflict Machine Type Communications (mMTC), will directly benefit not only mobile a variation, or rather an extension, and refugee population migrations. may be expanded into not just a global phone users but will also help of that divide… A divide with Communities and economies digital ecosystem, but a global digital spread the spirit of digital Pakistan consequences and implications far will be more deeply and widely ecosystem. Data will be gathered from (connectivity) to remote areas of beyond those encompassed within enabled by the growing digital all conceivable sources by all available the country,” federal minister for in- the usual framework of discussion infrastructure. There is a much technologies and processed by all avail- formation technology and telecom- about inadequate access to the greater significance now attaching able tools: satellites, drones & sensors; munication Syed Amin ul Haque technologies and services of modern to the integration of 5G and satellite artificial & virtual reality; smartphone told a press conference. digital communications… This is what technologies into a single network apps; open source software; blockchain From the next financial year I describe as the digitisation divide. of networks. Industries, businesses, & distributed databases; social media (2021-22), advance income tax on What is the digitisation divide? people and governments worldwide, feeds; IoT; AI & machine learning; cloud mobile phone users will be reduced The GVF webinar Global Transitions: facing unprecedented challenge, & edge computing; and, other! from 12.5% to 10% and in the Digital Economy, Digital Infrastructure, will accelerate in their adoption of The “product” of this global digital financial year 2022-23, it will go Connected Communities, Digital Planet digitisation to both adjust to the new ecosystem will enable more than just the further down to 8%, Haque added. set out to explore this with the help of normal and to improve preparedness formulation of Actionable Intelligence, Similarly, the federal excise duty representatives of two GVF members, to minimise the impact of the next but foster a culture of Sustainable Deci- (FED) on telecommunication servic- Isotropic Networks and Telstra, joined crisis – an impact that may again be sion-Making that, in the context of trying es has been reduced from 17% to by the Coordinator of the Digital equally as serious for, and equally to meet the Sustainable Development 16%, the minister noted. Transformation Task Force of the United intertwining of, people’s economic Goals (SDGs) and of trying to stem Furthermore, Haque said the Nations Environment Programme well-being and their health. climate change, will be the indispensable government is planning on reducing (UNEP), with moderation by the Chief Digitisation is not itself the currency of the future Digital Planet. 6% excise duty along with tax reduc- Technology Officer of the Satellite end point. Whilst data gathered The webinar panellists were tion on various services, according Applications Catapult in the UK. from a massively expanded – 5G + asked what they thought still needs to reports. “Rs250 charges on sim Whilst the early train of thought lead- satellite enabled – communications to be done to guarantee a level of purchase have been withdrawn, and ing to this theme originated out of the infrastructure will be the vital raw digitised connectivity – in developed this will be beneficial for the public,” social distancing and travel restriction material of a digitised economy and and developing economies alike – to the minister was quoted as saying. imperatives of pandemic lockdown, over society, what matters is the mechanism enable gathering of data for the World time the initial thoughts, influenced by and processes by which it is turned Economic Forum Stakeholder Capitalism ideas from the UNEP, evolved into the into what is today commonly called Metrics which are designed to show concept of “Digital Planet”. “Actionable Intelligence”, often how companies are doing on climate The importance of the digital commu- represented in the form of dashboards. change action, biodiversity, etc., and nications technologies behind our now Data in the Zettabyte Age will flow track contributions towards the UN having been forced to realise the full in vast volumes from the tap of the Sustainable Development Goals. If you potential of virtual business meetings/ Internet of Things (IoT), including want to hear their perspectives, this events has been boldly underscored. devices from our own personal video recording is not to be missed. Lockdown necessitated digital ways of wireless communications (i.e., If you want to grow your working to allow people still to do their smartphones with social media, plus understanding of what the future jobs. Extending digitisation will help increasing biometrics-based data of the digital Earth may be, how recovery from the economic recession generation) to our Wi-Fi-enabled satellites contribute now and might be The approval came on the engendered by pandemic. Notions about, domestic appliances. All this data will contributing 10 years from now, and recommendations of the Ministry of and gearing-up for, Digital Economy and only be of use when it is determined understand the steps needed now to IT and Telecommunication, according Digital Infrastructure, are not new but a exactly what it is for. Data may be create a pathway to this future visit to a tweet from the government body global socio-economic crisis has elevated just measurement, quanta, of things, https://gvf.org/webinars/.

Q1 2021 SOUTHERN ASIAN WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS 11

SASIA 21Q1 p5-11 (News) NEW.indd 11 16/04/2021 11:36 NEWS

4 SOUTHERN AFRICAN WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS January/February 2019

SASIA 19Q4 p4 (Rajant).indd 4 01/04/2021 13:10 WIRELESS BUSINESS

Vyke and x-Mobility sign two new India’s JioFiber deals for APAC expansion achieves highest

Vyke and x-Mobility have penned two new deals tinued growth of subscriber numbers. Within less broadband speeds to provide them with new number ranges in the than three months it has increased its average new Asia-Pacific region. The deals will see the further net additions by over 50% to 75,000 per quarter. India’s Reliance JioFiber achieved the highest global expansion of x-Mobility’s AppVNO service Vyke has seen huge recent growth in markets such average speeds on wired broadband in the country, for digital MVNOs through the offering of local as Nigeria, Pakistan and India and now expects while whereas Idea leads the mobile numbers for both Vietnam and Australia. similar growth from Australia and Vietnam. internet speeds chart, according to new data. Digital MVNO service Vyke will now be able to “Users are flocking to Vyke and brands and A report network performance measuring firm expand its offering to users wanting to have a Viet- MNOs are turning to x-Mobility to help them launch by Ookla, also found India to have seen strong namese or Australian number, in additional to their AppVNO services,” added Marica. “Our further internet speed increases during the whole of current number or numbers, on their existing device. expansion into Asia-Pac will only accelerate that. 2020. The research further found that Indian This will appeal in particular to people who Vyke is downloaded as an app and can be telcos and broadband operators continue to will be travelling in and out of the Asia-Pac used to subscribe to multiple mobile numbers, in invest in network upgradation and expansion, region once the global Covid-19 restrictions are addition to sharing credit and making free calls resulting in better and faster speeds. This has led lifted, or to ex-pats who want to be able to have and texts to other Vyke subscribers. The service to India having the best mean fixed broadband a local number for calling back ‘home’. prides itself on the fact it has grown globally with speeds among the South Asian Association for In addition, the x-Mobility, which offers a almost zero marketing spend or activity and has Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries, whereas white-labelled digital MVNO service that brands seen word of mouth drive the download growth. the Maldives leads the mobile internet speeds. can launch to their own target audience, will also The Speedtest Consumer Sentiment data now increase to brands and challenger MNOs gathered by Ookla found that JioFiber had that want to target users in the region, or that the fastest mean download speed over fixed want to reach the large international diaspora broadband among other top provides during from both Vietnam and Australia. “We’ve now made Q4 2020. Jio also had the highest rating at “AppVNO has always been a global offering, that connection even 3.7 stars and the only positive Net Promoter allowing anyone to connect with friends, family easier and closer for Score (NPS). The report coincides with Reliance and business contacts all over the world,” said people from Australia JioFiber introducing Rs1,000 in installation Iqbal Marica, VP Asia-Pac at x-Mobility. “We’ve and Vietnam, or charges for its Rs2,500 free 30-day trial plan. now made that connection even easier and those wanting to get ACT Fibernet was second on the list, followed closer for people from Australia and Vietnam, or in touch with people by Airtel Xstream Fiber and Excitel. Ookla said those wanting to get in touch with people there,” there,” said Iqbal ACT Fibernet and Excitel had the same star said Iqbal Marica, VP Asia-Pac at x-Mobility. Marica, VP Asia-Pac rating, while the former had a higher NPS. The new number ranges will help Vyke’s con- at x-Mobility BSNL had the slowest mean download speed during the same period. Hathway had the lowest rating and the lowest NPS. The graph posted by Ookla shows JioFiber has mean Malaysia’s telecom board invites download speed of around 80 Mbps, whereas ACT Fibernet achieved 75 Mbps speed. firms to join satellite scheme Moreover, Vodafone Idea achieved the fastest average mobile download speed during Q4 The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia residents at the 839 locations will enjoy free Wi- 2020. Ookla also said that Vi increased its Commission (MCMC), the country’s main Fi access with an average speed of 35Mbps. download speed performance lead over Airtel regulatory body for telecom sector, has issued According to the RFP document, the designed which was the leader in Q3 2020. The graph an invitation for the installation and provisioning Universal Service Provider will be entitled to shows Vi achieved a mean download speed of of broadband access services via satellite at claim the CAPEX and OPEX cost from the over 15 Mbps. Airtel is second on the list with 839 locations throughout the country. Universal Service Provision (USP) fund. In 2019, around 14 Mbps average speed, while Jio ranked According to a statement from the watchdog, the fund gained RM1.53bn in contributions from third with a 10 Mbps average speed. this will be implemented under the operators and RM0.34bn in interest. In Consumer Sentiment Ratings, Vi tied with JENDELA (Jalinan Digital Negara) plan and it MEASAT’s ConnectMe has been deployed at Bharti Airtel, whereas Jio came in third place across would cover states such as Johor, Kelantan, Negeri over 1,000 sites in rural Malaysia. Targeted at all the three parameters- performance, ratings Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, Selangor, Sabah and Sar- areas without fibre and 4G access, the service and NPS. Vi led Airtel and Jio on NPS, but none of awak. The majority of these locations are in remote can provide 100% nationwide coverage with the providers’ scores were positive, indicating that areas where provisioning of public cellular services speeds of up to 30Mbps. customers were not likely to recommend any of the and mobile broadband will take a lot of time to Under the ConnectMe initiative, satellite providers, added Ookla in its latest report. deploy. Satellite broadband is regarded as a quick broadband can be deployed at remote areas with The report also indicates the performance and interim solution to the problem as high-speed zero cost upfront, with a Wi-Fi service via prepaid of broadband and telecom operators in SAARC broadband can be deployed in just a matter of days vouchers for RM10 per 1GB or RM40 for 5GB. countries (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, with immediate results. MCMC said 178 (21%) will MCMC said that all eligible and interested India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka). be deployed in Peninsular Malaysia, 138 (17%) are licensees can register their interest and submit India leads the wired broadband internet in Sabah and 523 (62%) are in Sarawak. draft universal service plans under Regulation speeds but falls short in the mobile internet Furthermore, the MCMC aims to deploy 5 of the Communications and Multimedia speeds section. Maldives, which already has 5G all sites successfully by October 2021 and (Universal Service Provision) Regulations 2002. services, tops the mobile speeds category.

Q1 2021 SOUTHERN ASIAN WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS 13

SASIA 21Q1 p13-15 (Wireless Business) Bob edit.indd 13 01/04/2021 13:21 WIRELESS BUSINESS

1.2 million new smartphones India’s telecom manufactured in first months of 2021 revenues back to

Pakistan’s mobile phone manufacturing industry ecution of DIRBS, the local assembly industry pre-Jio levels saw the production of 1.21 million mobile has evolved from infancy to well-growing stage, phones in the first two months of 2021. with significant growth seen in the local assem- India’s telecom sector revenues have Manufactured at the 33 local mobile devices bly of smartphones,” PTA said. rebounded to levels seen in the years prior to assembly plants, the number of smartphones In 2020, Pakistan approved its first mobile disruptor Reliance Jio Infocomm entrance in assembled and produced in January and February device manufacturing policy to attract investment September 2016 that forced fellow operators this year indicate a significant increase as com- and encourage manufacturers of major cell to drastically cut prices. According to data pared to the last two years. The country produced phone brands to set up plants in the country. issued by the Telecom Regulatory Authority 2.1 million smartphone devices in 2020 and Smartphone brand Infinix currently has the of India (Trai), net mobile revenues rose 4.5% 119,639 in 2019, according to figures released by largest mobile phone production and assembly sequentially to US$25bn in the December Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). plant in Pakistan where three million units are 2020 quarter. The last time the sector earned The country has produced over 25 million produced each year. Vivo, Airlink and Advance US$25bn was in the June quarter of 2016. mobile devices including 4G smartphones fol- Telecom are the three new companies that will The arrival of Jio almost five-years-ago led to lowing the successful implementation of PTA’s soon establish their manufacturing units in widespread disruptions with nearly-free voice Device Identification, Registration and Blocking Faisalabad, Karachi and Lahore. and data offers. Established players were then System (DIRBS). “With the successful ex- Smartphone giants Samsung forced to review their own business models. and Oppo could start local Telecom sector revenues in Asia’s second assembly of their devices most populous nation fell to the lowest point in Pakistan soon, following of US$18bn in the fiscal year 2018-19, forcing PTCL gets a change in tax laws. some to exit their businesses and others to merge with bigger companies. Vodafone further 25-year India and Idea Cellular completed their merger in August 2018 to continue their operations amid mounting debt and licence renewal shrinking revenues. The average revenue per user (Arpu) of Bharti State operator Pakistan Telecommunication Com- Airtel plummeted to Rs100 per pany Limited (PTCL) has had its licence renewed month in Q2FY19, from Rs196 in the by the government for a further 25 years. first quarter of fiscal 2017. Prior The terms of the licence renewal state that The operator recently to the merger, Idea’s Arpu stood at PTCL must adhere to “enhanced quality of appointed Matthew Willsher Rs181, which fell to a record low service (QoS) parameters” and will be obliged to as the new chief executive of Rs88, for the combined entity in deliver a 5% year-on-year rise in Next Generation officer (CEO). Previously CEO of the September quarter of 2019. Access Network (NGAN) connections. Etisalat Afghani- stan, Willsher “Trai’s latest report shows that net The new validity period began at the start of succeeds Rashid Naseer Khan, mobile revenues in India rose 4.5% quarter-on- the year and the Pakistan Telecommunication who was appointed as the CEO of PTCL on quarter to an annualised US$25bn in Q3FY21. Authority (PTA) confirmed that the integrated February 12, 2019. This is in line with the peak levels seen before licence is technology- neutral and permits the Meanwhile, PTCL has teamed up with Jio’s entry,” Jefferies Equity Research said in company to deliver all telecom services nation- NdcTech, a regional partner of Temenos, to offer a report. Although sector revenues have risen wide, except mobile services. banking services on cloud on the local market. by 40% from the lows experienced in Q4FY19, PTCL must pay 2% of its annual gross Under the terms of the deal, NdcTech and PTCL they are still marginally lower, at around 1% revenues into Pakistan’s Universal Service Fund will provide cloud-based digital banking and less than the historical high reported in the (USF) and Research and Development Fund. core banking services across Pakistan. June quarter of FY17, according to global brokerage CLSA. However, analysts have warned that recovery in sectoral revenues, could dampen the chances of a floor set for tariffs as the pressure of shrinking revenues Afghanistan receives US$60m in was the main reason cited by struggling telecom operators that had urged Trai to fix the telecom tax income in 2020 minimum prices for services. Despite Jio’s huge popularity after it broke the Afghanistan received up to 4.6 billion afghani According to the statement, 12.8 million out dominance of the aforementioned operators, the (US$59.7m) in telecom tax income in 2020, of Afghanistan’s 32 million population have company has had its critics. In December 2020, according to local media reports. Online local access to internet in the country, located at the farmers across multiple states in northern part business news agency Wadsam revealed that crossroads of central and south Asia. of India boycotted and vandalised Jio’s towers “The Afghanistan Telecommunication Regulatory Meanwhile, Afghanistan’s Telecom owing to allegations of parent company Reliance Authority (ATRA) has collected 4.6bn afghani Development Company, Roshan, said it has Industries’s alleged support of controversial from the 10% tax on telecom services last year”. selected NetNumber to help it revamp its farm laws in India. In January this year, social The income for 2020 is 300m afghani more signalling and routing systems for its mobile media posts started circulating linking bird than the past year, the report said. network across the landlocked country. deaths to Jio’s 5G network trials.

14 SOUTHERN ASIAN WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS Q1 2021

SASIA 21Q1 p13-15 (Wireless Business) Bob edit.indd 14 01/04/2021 13:21 WIRELESS BUSINESS

TOT, CAT Telecom complete merger CK Hutchison and Thailand’s state-owned operators TOT and CAT There was talk of a merger a decade or so Ooredoo talk Telecom completed a long-delayed merger to before new entrants were allowed in, but the become National Telecom, which was made deal was postponed repeatedly. necessary by growing private-sector competition. The completion was scheduled for July last Indonesia merger The new company will consolidate overlapping year, but was stalled by the arrival of Covid-19. administrative staff, initially in the financial, human Meanwhile, National Telecom (NT) paid Qatar-based Ooredoo QPSC and CK Hutchison resources and legal departments. National Telecom for the first instalment of the 700-megahertz Holdings have entered talks to merge their said this approach will streamline operations and spectrum licence fee, ending speculation that Indonesian wireless phone businesses in a bid reduce costs, with no staff cuts planned. the merged unit of CAT Telecom and TOT may to fight growing competition in the country. Somsak Khaosuwan, the former acting chair- ditch the frequency over concerns about the A deal would require the merger of Jakarta- man of TOT, initially will serve as acting CEO of viability of the 5G business plan. listed PT Indosat, in which Ooredoo owns the new company, which plans to boost earnings In last year’s 5G spectrum auction, CAT Telecom about 65% and CK Hutchison’s PT Hutchison 3 in the short term by capturing demand from pub- shocked the telecom industry as it won two slots Indonesia unit, the companies said in a statement. lic-sector agencies to introduce 5G networks. on the 700MHz range at a total cost of ฿34.3bn, The negotiations will be exclusive until April 30, TOT and CAT long-enjoyed and controlled while Advanced Wireless Network (AWN) secured as both firms try to compete against state-owned monopolies over domestic and international another slot on the frequency for ฿17.1bn. PT Telkom Indonesia, the nation’s largest operator telephone services, respectively. However, that Winning bidders of the 700MHz licence must and Axiata Group Bhd.’s local arm PT XL Axiata, changed post 2000 when Thailand opened pay the National Broadcasting in southeast Asia’s biggest market by subscribers. the telecom market for competition from and Telecommunications “Ooredoo is in the early stages of assessing privately-owned businesses. That resulted in Commission (NBTC) in 10 the merits of such a potential transaction,” the loss of earnings at both companies, while instalments for the firm said in a statement. “As part of our corporate their combined share of the kingdom’s mobile licence fees. strategy, we regularly review our strategic priorities communications market is around 2% to 3%. and market position across all of our operations, and their contribution to the Ooredoo Group,” Ooredoo which operates across the Middle East, north Africa and southeast Asia and CK TM post net profit Hutchison, a conglomerate founded by Hong Kong’s richest man Li Ka-shing, said in a of RM1.01bn separate statement the potential transaction is subject to due diligence, agreement on terms, signing of definitive agreements Telekom Malaysia posted net profit of RM1.01bn and obtaining all required corporate in the financial year ended Dec 31,2020, up 60.6% and regulatory approvals. from RM632.67m year-on-year due to lower tax Indonesia accounted for HK$3.95bn charges and improved performance of subsidiaries. (US$510m), or 87% of subsidiary Revenue decreased by 5.2% or RM593.9m Hutchison Asia Telecom Group’s total to RM10.84bn from RM11.43bn in FY19 due to revenue in the first six months of 2020. lower revenue from all lines of products. Elsewhere, revenue from internet had been affected by the Streamyx price adjustments introduced from September 2019 onwards. CVC Capital’s purchase of Irrawady TM said voice and other telecommunication related services were impacted from lower Green Towers put on hold volume and restricted economic activities from the Movement Control Order (MCO) in general, A US$390m loan backing Luxembourg-based Legal acted as legal counsel to the selling affecting revenues from customer projects private equity firm CVC Capital Partners’ shareholders. “This landmark transaction was under the enterprise segments. purchase of Myanmar’s largest telecom the largest mergers and acquisitions deal in Despite the drop in revenue, the group’s tower company, Irrawady Green Towers, has Myanmar in 2020 and another example of the operating profit before finance cost increased by reportedly been put on hold as a direct result attraction of the Asian digital infrastructure 23.9% (RM311.2m) to RM1.61bn compared to of the Asian nation’s military coup. sector, including data centre and fibre optic RM1.29bn in 2019. Factors for higher operating The proposed deal, thought to be valued at asset portfolios, for private equity investment” profit were lower direct and operating costs about US$700m, marks the global buy-out firm’s said Freshfields major projects partner Don amidst continuing cost initiatives which were well first venture into the south- east Asian country Stokes in a statement at the time. However, the underway even from previous financial years. and sees it absorb 4,000 towers across Myanmar. recent military coup in Myanmar has stalled Meanwhile, Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM) According to reports, CVC was given the deal, with fears that it could be called off has partnered with San Francisco-based, exclusivity after it was shortlisted from potential altogether as violence escalates in the streets. AI-enabled customer engagement platform buyers, including regional telecoms groups Standard Chartered Bank (Singapore) was - MoEngage to drive the digital customer and other companies. Potential bidders – yet the lead financial adviser, while UBS was the marketing strategy of unifi. unnamed suitors – hired local consultants and joint financial adviser to Irrawaddy on the deal, “We look forward to serving Malaysians better technical advisers to conduct site visits and according to reports. Irrawaddy serves all major and helping them make informed decisions due diligence during the sale process that mobile network operators in Myanmar, including about our products and services,” said Safiyya took just over a year to be completed. Law Norwegian telecom giant Telenor, Qatar-based Rusli, head of digital, unifi. firms Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and SCM Ooredoo and local firm Mytel.

Q1 2021 SOUTHERN ASIAN WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS 15

SASIA 21Q1 p13-15 (Wireless Business) Bob edit.indd 15 01/04/2021 13:21 WIRELESS BUSINESS

Mladen Vratonjic, chair, BSNL’s IoT Talking critical The Critical Communications Association (TCCA)

network communications technologies. 3GPP standards Introducing the This is the challenge that is being specifications are India’s state-run BSNL critical comms addressed around the world, as they considered to has launched a pan-In- governments look to ensure their first be mission critical. dia satellite-based narrowband IoT column responders have the best possible com- For devices, work is network in partnership with Skylotech munications tools with which to carry ongoing with the Global Certification India in line with the prime minister How would you define critical out their critical work. The way forward Forum (GCF) to develop a testing and Narendra Modi vision of ‘Digital India’. communications? There are many however is very much dependent on the certification process to ensure user The ‘Made in India’ solution, which instances where needing to commu- availability of spectrum and of course devices can also be termed mission is indigenously developed by Skylo, nicate is important. But truly mission the level of investment that each coun- critical whilst conforming to the 3GPP will connect with BSNL’s land satellite critical communications can mean the try or region is able to commit. standards and being interoperable ground infrastructure and will provide difference between life or death. Two examples: In the US, FirstNet with networks and other devices pan-India coverage, including at seas. This is the first in a series of is the new nationwide broadband built to the same 3GPP standards. This solution has been successfully articles where we will take a look communications platform for data, Against the backdrop of all the tested in core sectors of India such as at the critical communications built for the country’s first responders work going into developing mission Indian Railways, fishing vessels, and landscape around the world, how and extended public safety critical broadband, the trusted connected vehicles across India. it is evolving to meet the changing community. It is based on a public- narrowband networks remain in needs of the end-users, and the private partnership with telecoms full use, new networks are being huge amount of work that goes on operator AT&T, and uses spectrum implemented and existing networks behind the scenes – largely carried set aside by the US government upgraded and refreshed. TCCA works Thailand: 5G out by volunteers – to ensure that specifically for FirstNet. The existing closely with standards development critical communications networks are narrowband networks that carry organisation ETSI to ensure the TETRA 2025 claim robust, reliable, resilient and secure. critical voice services continued to standard is enhanced to support It is those networks that support, be used for the meantime. In the users to 2035 and beyond. A report by data and an- amongst others, our first responders UK, the Emergency Services Network It is estimated that the transition alytics firm Omdia found - the police, medical and fire and (ESN) is being created using the from narrowband to broadband mission that 5G subscriptions will account rescue services that we rely on to network and spectrum owned by critical networks will take perhaps more for more than 55% of total mobile help us in a crisis and keep us safe. commercial mobile network operator than ten years. It is anticipated that in subscriptions by 2025 in Thailand, Until very recently, the networks EE. An ambitious roll-out schedule the meantime, many organisations will as demand for high-speed data that supported critical users were needed to be revised more than once use hybrid mission critical networks and low latency network gathers specific to that sector, designed from to ensure that the ESN will be as and that it is necessary to enable steam in the country. The need for inception to meet the unique needs of trusted as the existing TETRA-based interoperability and collaboration of digital solutions in sectors such as mission critical users. The technologies Airwave service before that network narrowband and broadband networks healthcare, education, retail, and – TETRA, P25, DMR, Tetrapol – have is switched off and ESN becomes and devices. Therefore, 3GPP on the one tourism will drive the development resilience and security built in from the first responders’ communication hand and ETSI on the other are working of 5G in the kingdom, combined the very beginning, both in the platform for both voice and data. rapidly to develop a standardised with the new normal of the infrastructure and the devices, in The US and the UK are two of the interface for their interconnection. post-pandemic world, it added. hardware and in software, in order to countries that are the most advanced TCCA, on behalf of its members – end deliver trusted, reliable and resilient in terms of delivering critical users, government and commercial communications support. However, broadband. Other countries are at network operators, industry and more they are all narrowband technologies various stages from consultation – represents all standard mobile critical AIC raises and as such are limited in the type of through to procurement. communications technologies and com- data applications they can support. It is not just the networks that need plementary applications. Our members concerns As any of us who use a smartphone to be 100% trusted. The services – design, manufacture, build, implement, will know, in the consumer mobile com- voice, data, video – and the devices all utilise, analyse, promote, develop and The Asia Internet Coalition munications market, the focus is firmly need to work seamlessly. To achieve deploy critical communications world- (AIC) expressed con- on data applications. Although the past seamless services, the Third Gener- wide. We believe in and promote the cern over the plan to establish the year has seen a resurgence in the use of ation Partnership Project (3GPP) has principle of open and competitive mar- National Internet Gateway (NIG), voice calls due to the pandemic, overall been developing a set of standards for kets through the use of open standards urging the Cambodian government to the mobile networks are supporting mission-critical functions for broad- and harmonised spectrum, working with assess the impact on the end-users mostly data-centric applications, and the band networks. Currently, these are stakeholders in the critical communica- in the country. In a letter addressed same evolution is coming to the critical Mission Critical Push-to-Talk (MCPTT), tions ecosystem to achieve this. to prime minister Hun Sen and the communications world. mission critical data (MC Data) and Behind the scenes, there are many, minister of post and telecommunica- While voice will always remain an mission critical video (MC Video). many organisations and individuals tions Chea Vandeth, the AIC said the essential – and the most immediate This time these are not specialised, committed to ensuring that critical draft of the sub-decree on the estab- – form of communications between dedicated standards for mission critical communications networks and services lishment of NIG poses serious risks first responders in a crisis, there is systems but rather parts of the main- are the best they can be. We will en- to businesses and internet platforms. a need for broadband networks to stream standards of cellular telephony, deavour through this column to show- “Having a single national internet have the capability to be mission- for 4G and 5G networks, developed case some of the initiatives, to discuss gateway creates concerns in terms critical bearers for mission-critical and included on the basis of require- the challenges and the expectations, of failure, as there is no alternative data – to have a similar level of ments and with the support of the and to hopefully encourage more peo- to the country’s connection to the reliability, resilience and security as critical communications community. ple to become involved in shaping the global internet,” the letter said. the dedicated narrowband critical When services are created to those future of critical communications.

16 SOUTHERN ASIAN WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS Q1 2021

SASIA 21Q1 p13-15 (Wireless Business) NEW.indd 16 01/04/2021 17:16 ON THE NETWORK Five ways MNOs can use digital sales to boost revenue During a most challenging year, mobile network operators in Asia went to great lengths to keep economies and people connected in trying circumstances, writes Fernando Bortman, chief business officer at Upstream

ith an eye toward improving With their customer experience and sales channels Wengagement it has been severely part and parcel of the digital disrupted, MNOs transformation taking place in say in-store mobile networks around the world. sales are down It’s all being driven by increased 90%, and many competition – especially from over- believe physical the-top (OTT) players – and massive commerce investments for network rollouts will not return meaning that mobile network to previous operators (MNOs) are feeling the levels when the pressure to boost revenue per user pandemic is over (ARPU), while also reducing churn. At a time when the global economy has been weakened and strained, Cov- id-19 has forced MNOs to scale up to meet the unprecedented demand for connectivity. Moreover, the pandemic available. They support targeting customers to post-paid contracts. the foreseeable future. Meanwhile has forced MNOs to close physical and converting prepaid users to • Create proactive and customized there’s no question that it can be stores and reduce call-centre capacity. post-paid accounts using a variety campaigns – Call centres and costly to build a digital strategy that With their sales channels severely of digital channels, eliminating the physical stores traditionally embraces all channels and links back disrupted, MNOs say in-store sales need for store visits or call centre rely on customers to make to existing customer relationship are down 90%, and many believe conversations. Yet many operators the first move. But in a digital management (CRM) systems. physical commerce will not return to still depend heavily on physical environment, MNOs can precisely With so many other investment previous levels when the pandemic stores and call centres to manage target individual customers with priorities, the digital sales process is is over. Yet prior to the pandemic, most processes – including post- personalized offers. often overlooked. Moreover, there’s a many MNOs – especially those in paid sales and prepaid upgrades. • Continually analyse and improve your skills gap, and it’s expensive to recruit emerging markets – were heavily While the human touch has digital journey – The digital journey and train digital sales personnel. relying on physical stores and some advantages, the truth is is easier to monitor than in stores But MNOs have a tremendous call centres to both sign up new that digital sales help customers or call centres. MNOs can scrutinize opportunity to overcome those barriers customers and upsell packages and complete faster. In fact, there are performance analytics and run tests to entry by partnering with a company services to existing subscribers. five key ways that MNOs can use to assess copywriting, form layout, that specializes in building digital It’s long been known that this digital sales to boost revenue: button placement and more. systems. Such partners should have approach is both expensive for MNOs • Give consumers what they want • Apply digital selling across the solutions that enable MNOs to migrate and time-consuming for customers; – Reports and industry analysts entire portfolio – MNOs can sell to digital sales quickly – in weeks vs. however, the pandemic has forced alike say customers prefer to help a plethora of offerings via digital months. Such solutions shouldn’t operators to reprioritize their digital themselves. According to Forrester, channels, including post-paid require operators to pay set-up or run- transformation goals, with an eye “Customers increasingly leverage contracts, prepaid to post-paid ning costs. Instead, operators should toward answering questions like: self-service and agent-assisted upgrades, mobile money products partner with a company that provides • Where are we with digital outreach? digital communication channels for such as micro-loans and other a revenue-share model on complet- • Do we have the technical customer service, as these channels digital products and services. ed conversions with a lower cost to infrastructure to precisely target have the least amount of friction.” acquire than traditional channels. and convert customers using • Deploy an array of digital channels If digital is so effective, By embracing the digital sales digital channels? – Websites, apps and SMS push why aren’t more model and identifying the right part- • Do we have the in-house skills to can be used to target new custom- operators using it? ner to create and manage the digital create strong digital campaigns? ers and upsell existing subscrib- sales initiative, mobile operators can • How can we implement a digital ers. But there are less obvious Building 3G, 4G and now 5G replace the expensive, ineffective campaign when we have such options – for instance, the balance networks are some of the most retail store/call centre model with tight budget constraints? check menu, where prepaid cus- expensive technology upgrades that a new model that cost-effectively The tools to make it possible for tomers are directed to assess their operators have ever faced, depleting attracts both new smartphone users MNOs to sell online are readily credit – that can be used to upsell almost all of their Capex budgets for and existing prepaid users. n

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SASIA 21Q1 p17 (OTN) NEW.indd 17 16/04/2021 11:36 FEATURE: SATELLITE

Shaping the future of satcoms Satellite has played vital role for decades, whether it’s for communication or entertainment - but is it in danger of being left behind? Robert Shepherd asks the experts

atellite has attracted many favourable corporate marketing communications at chief commercial officer Farhan Khan, says satel- column inches of late. From Starlink, Hughes, the broadband satellite networks and lites “might seem outdated, after all, it’s close to 70 SpaceX’s much-hyped satellite internet services provider, is the first to admit that years since the first satellite launched into space. Sservice to China’s mission to dominate space “unfortunately, satellite has a PR problem”, “The Sputnik was a surprising accomplish- internet, you’d be forgiven for thinking that the primarily as a result of two misconceptions. ment for many during the late 1950’s and as technology is going through a renaissance. In- “The first misconception is that satellite is a result of that success, we have plenty of deed, the opportunities afforded by this method slow – which is a holdover from the early days satellites orbiting the earth’s atmosphere ena- of communication is moving at speed in military of the technology and not a reflection of today’s bling humanity to live safer and more connected and defence applications and broadband IP satellite capabilities,” she says. “Today’s satellite lives,” Khan says. “With rapid development over services, to name a few. However, the challenge technology is much more sophisticated, fast and the past few years in the satellite technology has been that these advancements have coin- dependable, able to support speeds of 25 Mbps industry, it would be unfair to say that satellites cided with performance gains enjoyed by other (the FCC’s definition of “broadband”) and higher have the same limited functionalities as those telecommunications systems. for consumer plans and capable of handling thou- launched during the mid-20th century. Like So, with satellite having long been viewed as sands of simultaneous sessions (16,000 in the several small and large-scale devices used in the a technology belonging to a different era, is it case of the Hughes Jupiter System).” past, scientists and engineers have always found going to be playing catch up for a long time? Another key player in Asia is Yahsat, a satellite ways to significantly overhaul the functionalities Sharyn Nerenberg, senior director, communications company based in Abu Dhabi. Its of satellites to make them more efficient, easily

18 SOUTHERN ASIAN WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS Q1 2021

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deployable as well as maximising their capabilities.” It may also come as a surprise that while 5G Khan further argues that “with indispensable Song Lee Meng, is a wireless service, unlike satellite, it doesn’t functions and a growing range of services”, director of FSS product function entirely without wires. That’s because satellites will support disruption on ground, and marketing, the fifth-generation technology depends on cell furthering movements like the advancement of Singtel towers, which connect to the network core. autonomous vehicles and other interoperable “In urban and suburban areas, that connection devices as such which will use satellite comes through fibre or cable,” says Nerenberg. connectivity to transfer data, communicate “In rural and hard-to-reach places (e.g., islands, and make decisions. “Private enterprise is mountains, forests, jungles), cell towers are investing heavily in R&D and the likes of SpaceX connected by satellite for backhaul to the network are accelerating the volume of satellites to be “Fibre is subject to terrestrial core. According to NSR, more than 70,000 deployed. We do not expect the trajectory to wireless towers are backhauled by geostationary change anytime soon, as the future is dependent disruptions and cuts, where satellite satellite today, and that figure is expected to grow on better connectivity that is not necessarily has just three potential points of as wireless providers extend their networks to dependent on terrestrial networks,” he says. serve more people in hard-to-reach places.” She Intelsat I was the first commercial communica- failure: the satellite, the hub and the says this is why companies like Hughes are work- tions satellite to be placed in geosynchronous orbit ing with standards bodies to ensure that satellite in April 1965. Terry Bleakley, the current Intelsat satellite terminal, each of which has technology fits seamlessly into the multi-transport regional vice president of Asia Pacific sales, says it networks that make up what we call “5G” service. wasn’t long afterward that satellite moved beyond built-in redundancy in case of failure” Another satellite provider with a large Asian sending transmissions covering the Apollo 11 footprint is Singtel Satellite, a unit of Singapore moon landing in 1969 over local news stations, to solution for high-speed, reliable connectivity.” Telecommunications (Singtel). Song Lee Meng, transmitting news and entertainment from around Now, we’re in 2021 and newer technologies its director of FSS product and marketing, the world directly into homes (mostly rural) via are always on the horizon. One of those is 5G, explains what technology the satellite sector is very large, clunky satellite dishes in the backyards which has been lauded as the step towards a fully introducing in order to improve its performance along with complicated tuning hardware. interconnected society. Nerenberg argues that and make it more affordable to compete with “Eventually the large clunky home satellite sys- satellite is perhaps more relevant than ever in small cells towers. “Satellite communications tems were made smaller and easier to use, but as 2021. That’s because, she says, the demand for technologies have achieved remarkable time went on and as more people moved from ru- internet access has never been higher and will only breakthrough efficiencies and increases in ral areas to urban and suburban areas where ca- continue to grow. “No single transport can meet performance in nearly a half century,” he says. ble television was available, people began to view all of the need for connectivity, and satellite is “High Throughput Satellite (HTS) can enable satellite as limited to government and science an essential service in the network mix, enabling high performance and cost-effective links. In projects as well as global news feeds by media access in places where other technologies do not addition, the LEO satellites will offer low latency companies,” Bleakley continues. “And since the reach,” Nerenberg says. “Aeronautical and mari- and higher throughput in future which will launch of high-speed internet and the various ac- time applications, which wired technology cannot introduce new capabilities for satcom services. cess technologies, including mobile broadband, serve, are the most obvious instances. Remote and One key technology that will improve satcom high quality transmission of news and entertain- rural places are also ripe for satellite connectivity. capabilities is flat-panel antennas which will ment is available anytime, anywhere, even on the In fact, the GSMA predicts that 5G will cover one- be ‘a game changer’ for expanding the role move. Quickly, satellite became something viewed third of the world’s population by 2025, leaving satellites play in connecting devices to the as outdated, limited largely to home internet two-thirds of the world unserved by 5G.” internet-of-things, assuming the price is right.” and entertainment in places without access to Khan adds the need for satellite services is not For Nerenberg, “our aim is not to compete with cable networks.” Indeed, satellite technology has eliminated with the introduction of 5G, “as both small cell towers”, but rather to deliver value as clearly come a long way over the decades and can work in a symbiotic relationship”, serving the part of the networking ecosystem. “To that end, Nerenberg cites HughesNet, its flagship satellite same and different purposes. The next genera- our equipment is in use around the world back- internet service, as an example. tion of satellites will be equipped to cater to 5G hauling more than 12,000 cellular sites across “When it first launched, HughesNet enabled platforms that enhance mobile broadband, better Africa, Asia and Latin America, powering satellite service at speeds of around 5 Mbps down,” she mission critical services, and enable the greater de- internet services for millions of people and ena- continues. “HughesNet Gen4 offered download ployment of IoT systems across numerous sectors. bling more than 40,000 community Wi-Fi hotspots speeds of 15 Mbps. HughesNet Gen5, our current “Our satellites come with the flexibility of across the same regions,” she continues. “In service, offers download speeds of 25 Mbps. Our catering to 5G platforms and our most recent fact, our JUPITER System is the leading satellite next satellite, JUPITER 3, will enable service plans agreement with Airbus on the Thuraya 4-NGS ground system in the world, with more than 50% with speeds of up to 100 Mbps down.” satellite, will be best suited for a GEO mission, market share. As the de facto standard for satellite She says that comparing today’s satellite with maximising capabilities, cost-effectiveness, implementations, the JUPITER System powers the satellite service of the past “is like comparing security and reliability,” he adds. “Reducing costs broadband solutions on more than 40 convention- dial-up internet access (remember 56 Kbps and increasing benefit to rural communities al and high-throughput satellites globally.” service?) with fibre-optic cable services”, which and non-urban communities which have limited Nerenberg argues how continuous innovation has are now capable of gigabit speeds. Both are access to 5G connectivity. Working to serve the kept the JUPITER System “at the forefront of the in- wired services to the home or business, but the unserved who might not be able to migrate easily dustry”, from DVB-S2 and DVB-S2X to more recent technology is drastically different. to 5G. This flexibility still exists with satellites. innovations like return channel adaptive coding and “The second misconception about satellite is While the industry has anticipated this transition, modulation (ACM) to yield up to 30% bandwidth that it’s a substitute for wired technologies like we have taken action to ensure that 5G was savings, and support of Layer 2 transport – essen- cable and fibre. That is simply not the case,” considered seriously with the evolution of our tial for cellular backhaul implementations. adds Nerenberg. “Where terrestrial connectivity services.” He adds that when the Thuraya 4-NGS “On the horizon, we are innovating is available, it is always going to be the faster satellite goes live in 2023, it will be able to cater enhancements to the system such as software- form of connectivity. However, where terrestrial to enterprise and government clients who have defined networking, mobile edge computing, services are not available, satellite offers the best made the transition to 5G networks. and virtualization with a private cloud to support

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Continuous innovation has kept the JUPITER System at the forefront of the industry, from DVB-S2 and DVB-S2X to more recent innovations like return channel adaptive coding and modulation (ACM) to yield up to 30% bandwidth savings, and support of Layer 2 transport – essential for cellular backhaul implementations

scalability and efficiencies,” she continues. “This equipment, or to traverse a mountainous dirt road doubled throughput of data products as the kind of innovation is essential to support the new or through a jungle. And the pick-up truck would MSS/L-Band design offers optimised data rates.” class of software-defined and flexible satellites.” be unwieldy and uncomfortable (not to mention Nerenberg agrees that the challenge “and the It’s often said that fibre is cheaper, faster, more inelegant!) in a city centre. Satellite-based internet opportunity” for satellite providers is to serve reliable and carries far lower latency than satellite. goes where fibre providers do not. the growing demand for bandwidth with a finite It sounds like a no-brainer when it’s put like that, It’s a view shared by Martin Jarrold, chief of resource. She warns that serving more customers but Lee Meng finds holes in the argument. international programme development at satellite is not as easy as running a connection to new “Fibre is subject to terrestrial disruptions and body, GVF. “Copper or fibre lines are most customers’ homes – it requires building and cuts, where satellite has just three potential points applicable for urban areas and not economically launching a new satellite. “That said, Hughes has of failure: the satellite, the hub and the satellite viable for rural areas due to distance and terrain,” been in the business of supplying satellite internet terminal, each of which has built-in redundancy in he says. “For microwave transmission, line of longer than any other provider, and we have learned case of failure,” he says. “It is also difficult to lay sight and flat terrain needed to be cost-effective, a lot along the way,” she says. “We are constantly the last mile fibre due to challenges on the ground. with limited rural/remote application. Satellite improving and advancing our offerings to better Most enterprise applications are not time sensi- is increasingly the backhaul of choice and only serve our HughesNet customers, who have been tive. Therefore, satellite can be a good alternative solution for rural/remote deployments.” largely overlooked by other providers. This is why as the main or backup connectivity but when Looking ahead, data consumption is only we continue to innovate and implement network companies are located in remote places, satellite going to grow and it’s no secret that satellite optimizations, such as automatically saving data communications can be the only option in providing faces challenges in this space. when streaming video or using artificial intelligence ubiquitous and instant coverage in these zones.” However, Khan says that while there are to detect and triage potential network issues.” In fact, there are those who are of the opinion limitations, network infrastructure and Yahsat’s Thuraya 4 – NGS is an example that not only is satellite a viable alternative, to capabilities continue to mature and develop at of how the operator is overcoming data limit fibre, but it’s actually more reliable. Nerenberg such an incredible rate. Yahsat, for example, challenges, as the satellite is designed to be says that is most certainly the case when it comes is developing ways to overcome the obstacles highly flexible and agile. “This is so that we can to manmade and natural disasters, to which that are posed by satellite data limits. “We integrate new technologies on the ground, which fibre is vulnerable. “This is why satellite makes remain committed to R&D in the field of satellite provide considerable edge, given the challenges the ideal transport for disaster response and communication, and the development of new and dynamics in the industry which includes a recovery as well as critical back-up to enterprise features and functionalities that meet the wide spectrum of data service,” says Khan. and government fibre networks,” she adds. “Then, requirements of today’s users,” he adds. “With Hughes is equally optimistic about what lies I would say that we do not intend for our satellite new emerging data requirements, at Yahsat, we ahead. “Looking to the future, we see many services to compete with fibre. They are different have been developing next generation systems opportunities to continue enhancing our service - just the same way that a pick-up truck and that will have a wide spectrum of data services – from the launch of our JUPITER 3 satellite… a sedan serve different needs. Both forms of catering to throughout requirements ranging to implementing multi-transport solutions transportation have their own specific benefits from low (20 kbps) to high (more than 1 Mbps) combining a low-latency transport such as LEO or and trade-offs. You probably wouldn’t use the for various verticals and applications. To this end, wireless as a complement to the high-capacity/ sedan to haul construction debris or landscaping our next generation satellite system has nearly low-cost GEO service,” concludes Nerenberg. n

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4 SOUTHERN AFRICAN WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS January/February 2019

SASIA 19Q4 p4 (Rajant).indd 4 01/04/2021 13:33 INDUSTRY VIEW: MOBILE FRAUD

The silver lining of combating mobile fraud The glory days for mobile payments are just around the corner, yet we face a knowledge gap and fraudulent attempts that prevent southern Asia from reaching its full potential. David Lotfi, founder and CEO at cybersecurity firm Evina, shares his advice with Asian mobile operators on how the combat against fraud can be used as a lever to assure business growth in a particularly vast and diverse region

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lot is happening in mobile in southern growth in the region: fraud. Thanks to our group that silently operates: organised crime. Asia’s mobile ecosystem: the e-commerce cutting-edge technology, we at Evina, have been With the increase in traffic and money on mobile, market is growing, the digital divide is still monitoring fraudulent activity worldwide for the organised criminals have also decided the digital Aall too present, and an invisible menace is lingering. past several years and can testify that fraudsters world holds many opportunities for them. They Southern Asia has huge potential in the don’t show sympathy for this region. In fact, have set their intentions to heavily invest in digital mobile payment market. By 2025, the overall 2021 started off with the arrest of fraudsters in monetisation, meaning fraud rates will continue e-commerce market in southeast Asia is expected India that were implanting malware in malicious to rise if they are not stopped. to reach US$300bn according to the e-Conomy mobile apps to collect personal identification The much-awaited, fast and effective - yet young SEA 2020 report by Google. This is the result of and user’s money. According to Evina, southeast - 5G network, is the second bump on the road to an increasing number of overall internet users, Asia also recorded high fraud rates, with reaching the full potentiality of mobile payment. with 70% of the SEA population online, and a Indonesia at 13% and Malaysia at 24%. Why Much like its sibling networks 3G and 4G, the high mobile internet penetration rate. should you care? Mobile fraud doesn’t just new generation presents the same weaknesses Yet from India to Singapore and Thailand, steal money from mobile operators, it hinders in the face of fraud, evermore so considering 5G the mobile phone penetration rate is all too business growth and it’s currently dividing by five is still at its infancy stage. This first stage of life heterogeneous. In some countries, mobile has the number of legitimate transactions that would means many functions still have to be tested and neared its full-peak, giving users access to bring you cleaner traffic and more revenue. the network is open to more vulnerabilities as high-speed internet, exclusive mobile services, All the players involved in the mobile payment protocols are not 100% foolproof. And fraudsters and payments by phone. These countries are process, from merchants to payment gateways aren’t thinking of sparing the 5G networks noticeable as big tech giants have approached and most importantly mobile operators, from their tricks. Southeast Asia represents them with targeted offers. Companies offering orchestrators of mobile payment through Direct the same disparities in regards to the roll out Over-The-Top platforms have been the first to Carrier Billing (DCB), need to acknowledge these of 5G, with some countries ready to deploy seize the mobile opportunity. Last year, Netflix two major challenges and find the right approach new infrastructures while others will continue released a mobile-only subscription plan in India, adapted to each individual southern Asian country. to depend on 4G for the time being. Singapore followed by Amazon also launching its mobile-only is leading the 5G way followed by Vietnam, the subscription plan to its OTT platform this month. Foolproof business growth: a Philippines, Malaysia, and Thailand . Mobile The entertainment vertical is proof of the success must-have in 2021 operators need to keep this in mind and increase mobile services can experience in this region. security in countries where users are expected to While in other countries, the mobile disparity To the regional challenges southern Asia soon connect to a still vulnerable 5G network. remains strong. Among the 1.3 billion population faces, the year 2020 adds up issues that have Both the increase in fraud operated by in India, more than half of the 48% women converted into new obstacles for the year to organised crime and the vulnerabilities population is unaware of the existence of mobile come. No industry was left untouched by the presented by the 5G’s infancy stage could be internet according to GSMA Intelligence. While Covid-19 pandemic, the lockdowns and their prevented and their consequences attenuated if other countries such as Singapore recorded a repercussions, except for the digital industry that companies in the mobile payment industry make mobile internet penetration rate of 83.2% in served as a safe boat for many businesses. This the right security investments. In 2020 many 2020. This gives mobile operators a window of caused a sharp increase in overall internet traffic companies didn’t make security their priority, opportunity to launch payments through mobile and even more so on mobile, giving a safety net while fraudsters did make cyberattacks theirs. in only a few selected regions. Due to this digital to many businesses where they could keep on In addition to the regional challenges MNOs divide, the southern Asian region represents growing and making money. Fraudsters also had face, when confronting mobile fraud, players today a patchwork of mobile payment adoption to find a way to re-adapt, which brought them to must insert themselves into a wider global optic that might one day reach harmony if the also target the digital ecosystem. More money to overcome these challenges correctly. challenges are correctly approached. flowing is synonymous with more fraud attempts The global increase in mobile traffic, organised Although southern Asia faces a much bigger in digital payment. We also aren’t dealing with crime investing in digital monetisation, and a obstacle that truly hinders mobile payment’s individual fraudsters anymore, but with a larger vulnerable 5G network at its infant stage make for

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a gloomy future ahead for this industry, but the in hand with educating the market about fraud, that they have accumulated a heavy cybersecurity situation is brighter than it seems. what it looks like, and how to protect businesses. debt, which are the repercussions of not having Mobile fraud education involves the user, correctly invested in security. This debt has a The silver-lining of combating the merchants, the payment gateways, and the great toll on business as it presents itself in mobile fraud in southern Asia mobile operators. The importance of protecting the form of increased fraud rates, customer mobile users is currently underrated, as complaint rates and the churn rates. To avoid The mobile payment adoption gap between fraudsters continuously attack the vulnerable the risk of inducing a crisis, mobile operators and within countries in southern Asia needs to in order to steal their precious data and money. will need to repay these debts by investing in the be mended and resolved and the mobile fraud The players of the mobile payment ecosystem cybersecurity tools needed to fight fraud. challenges confronted, for Asian mobile operators need to fully comprehend that users behold the The choice of the right cybersecurity partner to experience the prosperity that derives from a success of businesses as they decide whether though is crucial. Oftentimes when companies de- healthy mobile payment ecosystem. But how? complaint rates decrease or rise, and if a cide to deal with fraud, they resort to counter-pro- We can start by admitting fraud is a problem in business is even worth their attention. ductive measures that complexify their billing southern Asia’s mobile payment. This goes hand Once educated, mobile operators will realise process by adding security steps that reduce the number of illegitimate transactions yet scare customers away. Too many MNOs deal with their fraud rates by adding security layers such as pin codes, then by restricting media buyers, and in the end almost decide to cut off mobile payment entirely as complaint rates are still on the rise. After integrating our anti-fraud solu- tion, mobile operators who work with us see their complaint rates decrease along with their fraud rate that can drop as low as 1%. More importantly their traffic is clean and they’re able to simplify their billing flow, so that they can now focus on their business. When the cybersecurity debt will be repaid and when market players will resort to the right partner, mobile players will realise that cybersecurity tools don’t just fend off fraudsters, they reduce complaints, increase happy users, and boost business growth. Results will show faster than you know it. For this to happen, we insist that mobile operators, the influencers of the mobile payment, are the first that need to partner up with an independent, expert, and solid anti- fraud solution company. The benefits of such a solution are that you are able to optimise your subscription instead of managing complaints, and deploy frictionless payment while restoring trust with your partners and users. This solution has a rippling effect, protecting the end user and pressuring the mobile players to unite in protecting this industry. Confronting mobile fraud is a chance for market players to assess the situation, understand that fraud is not only a nuisance but a barrier for business growth, and that tools exist to fight it off the right way. These actions will naturally lead to a more unified mobile ecosystem in southern Asia, where mobile gaps are mended and mobile fraud reduced for a more prosperous regional growth. n

24 SOUTHERN ASIAN WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS Q1 2021

SASIA 21Q1 p22-24 (Industry View) NEW.indd 24 16/04/2021 11:41 FEATURE: CRITICAL COMMS

Fixed wireless access and Wi-Fi on the move FWA, an invaluable tool for internet connectivity in remote and built-up areas? Robert Shepherd connects with the industry to find out if this is so and how

herever you live, the average prohibitive, lower population densities in rural Asia, indeed the world, in need of enhanced broadband speed requirement markets often harm the fibre business case quality and speeds. Now, in early 2021, as the continues to rise and fibre access return on investment (ROI), while buildings dust begins to settle following the worst pan- Wis arguably still the go-to option. It makes or things of natural beauty may prevent the demic any of us will (hopefully) ever have to en- complete sense, when one considers its high installation of fibre regardless of how much dure, the demands for speedy internet access on bandwidth performance, low latency and money has been made available. the move is becoming more important than ever maintenance, as well as durability. That said, fibre is not always available, either, before. Does FWA really offer the best way to Of course, copper and fibre deployment which means other technologies and methods of meet the last mile challenge that wired networks for better broadband service is not always an communication have to fill the void. Enter fixed have been unable to solve? If so, how? upgrade option. Reasons include the fact that wireless access (FWA), which is known to offer “FWA has several major benefits when municipal regulations can make fibre trenching high-capacity solutions for parts of southern compared to fixed line/fibre deployments,”

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SASIA 21Q1 p25-27 (Feature II).indd 25 16/04/2021 11:41 FEATURE: FIXED WIRELESS ACCESS

says David Sumi, VP of marketing at wireless “There is, unfortunately, no single gigabit solution provider Siklu. “Especially Kamal Mokrani, in a large area such as southern Asia where blanket solution that will meet the global vice president, many communities are spread out. Fixed line Infinet Wireless deployments are almost always more expensive exact requirements in all scenarios” than FWA and take months to install versus FWA which can be up and running in weeks. It used to be that FWA was at a speed disadvantage to needed, according to Kamal Mokrani, global vice wireline, but with mmWave systems delivering president at broadband wireless development up to 10Gbps full duplex, this is no longer the business Infinet Wireless. ”There is, unfortunately, case. For regions that lack existing wireline no single blanket solution that will meet the infrastructure FWA is cheaper and faster.” exact requirements in all scenarios,” he says. cellular solutions alongside the shopping centre Large swathes of southern Asia certainly Our experience has shown that the challenges we owner providing Wi-Fi,” he adds. ”In locations lack the infrastructure Sumi mentions, which would need to overcome in a shopping centre, as where mobile operators are less interested in de- is unsurprising when one considers the an example, are totally different from those we ployment then only Wi-Fi is used. Many trains and topography across the bottom half of the encounter in a mining environment where signal buses now have Wi-Fi deployed within them.” world’s largest continent by land mass. propagation can be affected by many geological Historically, there was no ultra-high bandwidth The good news is “FWA is generally lower cost structures and man-made obstacles.” alternative to fibre, but high performance FWA has to deploy than wired networks such as fibre optic Mokrani says that when hundreds, if not emerged to fill the gigabit broadband desire when cable”, especially outside of rural areas where thousands of retail customers, decide to go fibre is not an option. What’s more, technically, the distances between buildings increase, making shopping at the same time, Infinet’s solutions there are no limitations to bands that can be the cost of laying fibre higher, says William Webb, tend to focus more on relieving the well-known used to deploy FWA. In the case of LTE network chief technology officer (CTO) at Cambridge bottleneck related to backhauling capacity, thus deployments, operators often favour 800MHz, Broadband Networks Group (CBNG). “Where offering sufficient capacity to ensure both “high 1.8GHz and 2.1GHz bands for rural and suburban broadband is not available due to cost then FWA quality” voice calls and Internet access. areas while using 2.3 GHz and 2.6 GHz for urban can provide an excellent solution,” he continues. “High-speed connectivity for passengers areas. The same strategy could be applied for “However, even with FWA there will be some re- on a train, bus or metro present us with FWA, however, due to the possibility of mitigating gions so remote that only with government funding completely different challenges, but ones which the adverse effects of higher propagation loss, it is will it be economically viable to connect them.” we have already been resolved in many of our feasible to also consider high carrier frequencies For Simon Fletcher, CTO at independent advi- deployments around the world,” he continues. such as those in the 3.5GHz range where large sory Real Wireless, FWA “has to be a part of the All our wireless solutions are adaptable to the bandwidths are more readily available. solution” along with options such as satellite that specific environment we are faced with, thanks Clearly a good solution for connectivity in even must also be considered. “However if tower infra- to our approach in developing Software Defined the most unforgiving of environments, but will structure along with power and backhaul (which Radio (SDR) platforms with all the flexibility they opportunities for FWA continue to open up as could be shared) are well placed, then FWA would offer us and our customers. For example, when operators and service providers in the region give a good, scalable and robust capability for roaming between base stations deployed along realise the benefits of LTE-based FWA? delivering the high per-user data rates that will the tracks for a train or a pre-defined route for “It’s just another, more cost-effective way to inevitably be required and demanded by consum- other moving vehicles, seamless handover from deliver coverage,” says Jordan. “The coverage ers and enterprises alike,” he adds. one access point to another, whilst keeping it delivers will enable not only many more Eugina Jordan, VP, marketing at OpenRAN latency of the data transmitted at its lowest opportunities, but also creates services like software firm Parallel Wireless, also explains how level possible, is the biggest challenge for such eLearning, eHealth and eCommerce that will help the cost of legacy high-speed broadband service high-speed mobility applications.” to move the region forward. However, she says through cable or fibre-to-the-x (FTTx) deployment, These contexts all have subtly different that legacy LTE-based fixed wireless solution is a significant part of initial network deployment. principle drivers of the demand, argues Fletcher. deployment relies on a complicated deployment “The average cost of laying fibre is US$15,000 per “A shopping centre will be primarily focussed and configuration process during site installation. mile,” she says. “Also, in many areas the permits on B2C, while a mine would be more B2B as “This requires a complicated preparation phase for related construction work will take months. the driving force,” he says. “The nature of the and expert technician presence at the time of any This will be a huge burden for service providers be- data being transmitted wirelessly – B2B or new site installation,” Jordan adds. cause of initial costs that will not necessarily con- B2C – will determine and push the economic Webb says opportunities for FWA already vert into revenue.” However, Jordan says, a fixed principles that shape the network deployment exist, citing every home and building without a wireless solution deployment “is simply based on principles. While FWA can provide a good group broadband connection. Nevertheless, he says a base station deployment” and no last mile deliv- / shared connection on which to bolt a Wi-Fi LTE is not the solution, because it is designed ery investment. “In this scenario, service providers access solution and would work for a shopping for mobile use and is too expensive and too low will cover specific geographical areas and target centre, mines are a well-understood scenario, capacity for FWA. “To put it into perspective, customers without any specific investment for last often choosing to deploy a mobile micro BTS a mobile user tends to have a monthly data mile delivery for that specific customer. “For rural in lower spectrum bands to maximise coverage consumption of about 5GByte/month, a home area deployment; with lower population density, a over wide expanses of land, and even into the about 350GByte/month - 70 times more,” says cable or fibre solution will be even more costly and tunnel system itself. Trains and buses are a Webb. “Using LTE or even 5G mobile to provide their ROI will not justify the initial investment or different scenario altogether and don’t really home broadband is like trying to use a car to on-going investment due to low ARPU.” lend themselves to FWA solutions.” transport 50 people - a coach is far better suited.” Of course, the availability, indeed quality Webb says that the last point of connectivity In fact, Webb is rather blunt about LTE and 5G of connectivity depends heavily on where one must use a technology widely available in hand- being used for FWA, calling it a waste of more is located. When it comes to the last point of sets, tablets, laptops and other devices. However, costly infrastructure and due to densification and contact within a shopping centre, on a campus, there are only two options - cellular and Wi-Fi. the transitory nature of mobile users coming in on a train or bus, or even workers risking their “Both are used in places like shopping centres and out of the coverage area, the user’s bandwidth lives in a mine, different technological options are where mobile operators are often keen to deploy experience is not predictable or guaranteed.

26 SOUTHERN ASIAN WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS Q1 2021

SASIA 21Q1 p25-27 (Feature II).indd 26 16/04/2021 11:41 FEATURE: FIXED WIRELESS ACCESS

“FWA is static and so can be designed to provide predictable service which can be backed by service level agreements,” he argues. “There is a great deal of fibre deployed in places like Singapore, Korea, Japan and Malaysia making FWA more of a niche solution for urban residential/ enterprise connectivity. However, FWA will always have a strong foothold in rural and suburban communities where the costs to lay fibre over dispersed dwellings remains largely prohibitive.” The changes that have occurred in recent years with the introduction of LTE, 5G and more advanced FWA technologies have clearly been monumental across a plethora of industry sectors. Mokrani says “the heightened consumer adoption of mobile devices is due to the lack of adequate fixed infrastructures” in many Asian countries. “This has leveraged broadband wireless technology providers to play a much bigger role than traditional fixed operators by relieving the pressure for backhauling data and voice traffic from the mobile operators’ base stations to the rest of their network,” Mokrani continues. The changes that have occurred in recent years with the introduction of LTE, 5G and more “Network operators of all types naturally advanced FWA technologies have clearly been monumental across a plethora of industry sectors want to spread the cost of installation and maintenance of any new technology across as limited scenarios. “In a coverage limited scenar- towns than rural areas simply because that’s many services and applications as possible.” io, service providers main objective is providing where most companies and businesses are He argues that the largest opportunity Infinet acceptable coverage for a specific area consider- physically located. Mobile technologies such as predicts for FWA, whether LTE-based or others, ing targeted SLA for subscribers,” she explains. 4G or 5G are not necessarily the most trusted will be in emerging countries where fixed broad- “In a capacity limited scenario, service provider platforms for a bank, as just one example, to band via legacy fibre, cable or DSL is simply not addresses limited capacity in a geographical establish connectivity between its branches available today. “In developed countries, we are area by adding extra base stations in the specif- and its headquarters as their managers value seeing strong signs that FWA technologies are ic geographical area already has coverage.” data security much more than anything else. giving service providers a more competitive edge Jordan says that although “the classical They would most certainly deploy their own over more expensive and sometimes unreliable deployment will start with a ‘search ring’ private networks, such as one based on FWA, wired alternatives,” Mokrani adds. “The biggest identification”, following site acquisition and and not want to share best-efforts network opportunity we see for LTE-based FWA specifi- deployment; in many rural deployments, ease of capacity from mobile networks with other users, cally will be for the residential market, especially deployment is the main objective for providers. ultimately exposing themselves to potential cyber fuelled by the current Covid-19 pandemic where Mokrani argues that “there is no doubt that all threats and attacks. The same principle is also more and more people are having to work from types of wireless technologies have a significant applicable to mission critical applications such as home and demanding broadband speeds so as to role to play in improving broadband access in the fire brigade, the ambulance service and law stay fully operational and productive.” all parts of Asia. “Some of these technologies enforcement agencies, all favouring a dedicated Let’s look to the future. While microwave links may still have a long way to go before they and private network for their own use only.” have long been the cheap and effective solution, become universally accepted, with political and As far as Webb is concerned, mobile some believe there is now a real danger of regulatory policies being the biggest obstacles technology is great....for mobiles. The problem, usurpation by mobile tech such as 5G, whilst to ubiquitous connectivity, but their acceptance he says, is that “it is not designed” for providing others see this in bigger towns and cities only. and deployment are certainly crucial for bridging broadband connection to buildings. “It is both Jordan says the approach adopted by fixed the digital divide between urban and rural areas,” very expensive as a solution to fixed broadband wireless service providers to network deploy- he continues. “There is noticeably more demand and lacks sufficient capacity, especially after ment is based on coverage limited or capacity for broadband connectivity in cities and bigger providing service to mobile users,” Webb adds. “There are few examples of widespread FWA solutions using mobile technology and those that exist tend to require massive investment in a denser network of base stations. Better to use FWA - a technology designed for the purpose, with much more capacity and reliability.” Lest we take it for granted, remember that incredible things happen when people connect to the internet or with each other. Whether the location is rural or urban, domestic, international, telco or cable, enterprise or residential, it sounds like optimised gigabit broadband solutions deliver the vision of global networking. FWA is addressing last mile deployment challenges timely, cost effectively and with increased speed and resilience. That can only be a good thing. n

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SASIA 21Q1 p25-27 (Feature II).indd 27 16/04/2021 11:41 WIRELESS SOLUTIONS

Sepura SC21 Doodle Labs’ Mesh Rider OS

Small and light, the SC21 is the next- generation, smart for the Smart Radio Platform TETRA hand-portable radio. With a wide Doodle Labs is “pleased” to release antenna. In addition, the automatic and clean interface for an enhanced range of functionality Mesh Rider OS firmware version channel selection (ACS) for interfer- user experience. By default, it pro- inherited from the 2021-03 for the Smart Radio. This ence mitigation means the Smart vides commonly used settings, and SC20 hand-portable firmware update delivers significant Radio will periodically monitor the click the “Advanced Settings” button - yet 25% smaller - it new features and performance medium and may switch over to a reveals all of the original settings. offers all the benefits improvements, including improved better operating channel. Elsewhere, Meanwhile, the Mesh Rider SDK will of a compact radio. link reliability, improved manage- the web GUI, Doodle Labs says, has allow customers to write and compile Reliable performance: With a ment tools and the customisation been revamped to provide a simple their own software to run on the best-in-class TETRA engine, the of smart radios. Starting with the Smart Radio. “We enhanced the SC21 allows you to keep communi- former, a new link monitor constantly Mesh Rider OS based on direct cating where other small handsets checks the status of the wireless link feedback from our customers to fail. Class 3 high-power RF trans- and triggers a rapid recovery in the meet their operational require- mission, coupled with exceptional event of a link loss. There is also a ments,” says Aaron Do, man- receive sensitivity, gives the SC21 pre-flight link check tool that runs ager of application engineering extended operational range. through a series of checks to test the and customer support at Doodle Powerful Audio: The SC21’s best-in- integrity of RF link quality for each Labs. doodlelabs.com class audio capability allows for rich, clear voice communication, however noisy the environment. The powerful, directional speaker projects audio to Ericsson launches 5G RAN slicing the user’s ear, providing extra clarity, and unique Water Porting technology Swedish gear-maker Ericsson’s radio resources at one millisecond connectivity, and extended reality. ensures that clarity is maintained, new 5G network slicing solution scheduling and supports multi- “Ericsson 5G RAN Slicing dynam- even in continuous, heavy rain. for radio access networks (RAN) dimensional service differentiation ically optimizes radio resources to Advanced Safety Features: The enables communications service handling across slices. This, the deliver significantly more spectrum-ef- SC21’s advanced worker safety providers to deliver customised company reckons, strengthens ficient radio access network slicing,” features offer peace of mind for lone 5G services with guaranteed end-to-end slicing capabilities for says Per Narvinger, head of product and remote workers at all times of performance, the company says. dynamic resource management area networks, Ericsson. “What makes the day or night, including auto- Now commercially available, and orchestration that ensure the our solution distinct is that it boosts mated Man-Down and Lone Worker Ericsson 5G RAN Slicing allocates high-quality end-user experience end-to-end management and orches- protection, biometric user health required by diverse use cases. tration support for fast and efficient monitoring and location tracking. Network slicing supports service delivery. This gives service User Friendly: The SC21 has a multiple logical networks for providers the differentiation and 2.4” high resolution QVGA screen different service types over guaranteed performance needed to – the largest on any TETRA hand- one common infrastructure. It monetize 5G investments with diverse portable – allowing for quick and is a key enabler for unlocking use cases. With 5G as innovation easy viewing in all light conditions, 5G revenue opportunities such platform, we continue to drive value including direct sunlight. sepura.com as enhanced video, and in-car for our customers.” ericsson.com ThinKom antenna design ‘offers flexible installation’

ThinKom Solutions has developed a line-replaceable unit (LRU) for man and CTO of ThinKom Solutions. measures less than 9cm in total new product variant of its VICTS aero the ACU/PS. Further, the unique Another apparent plus is the height, while retaining the flight-prov- satellite communication antennas, high-efficiency and low-power incorporation of the ACU into en, high-reliability design and which, it claims, enables more flexi- characteristics of the VICTS phased the base of the antenna does not product features for which the VICTS ble installation choices and allows for array fully eliminate the need for result in any increase in mount- antennas have become known. smaller distributed and embedded other bulky and power-consuming ing footprint and maintains the ThinKom says an added benefit of phased-array applications. LRUs, such as power-conditioning antenna’s highly favoured low-pro- the new product variant is enabling The new product variant, which units, heat-exchanger units and ex- file characteristics. The antenna the transmit and receive antennas targets government and military ternal RF/power/cooling manifolds. to be co-located or alternatively beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) satellite “This new design is part of mounted in remotely separated communication markets, integrates our strategy to become the platform locations. This max- the VICTS antenna, antenna control preferred satellite anten- imises application flexibility in unit (ACU) and power-supply (PS) na choice for smaller terms of packaging, weight electronics into a single low-pro- volume-limited and pow- balance and other airframe file small-footprint package. This er-limited platforms,” and operational consider- eliminates the need for a separate says Bill Milroy, chair- ations. thinkom.com

28 SOUTHERN ASIAN WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS Q1 2021

SASIA 21Q1 p28-29 (Wireless Solutions) NEW.indd 28 16/04/2021 11:41 WIRELESS SOLUTIONS

Introducing Siklu’s new Look out for... China launches Terragraph-compliant series ‘world’s first 6G’ With the Terragraph-compliant is able to self-organise into a on premise networks via copper MultiHaul TG series, Siklu says neighbourhood L2 SDN or fibre. With Siklu’s N366 test satellite it’s lowering the cost of delivering mesh and provides just connecting to other N366 services to homes, businesses and under 16Gbps of total nodes, or to the TU series China launched what it claimed to within smart city broadband IoT capacity. The MultiHaul the MultiHaul TG product be the first ever 6G experimental applications. The TG series consists TU265 acts as a client line offers, the company satellite to test communications of distribution nodes (DNs) and cli- node with dynamic beam says, the greatest flexi- from space using high-frequency ent nodes (TUs). Siklu’s N366 is an steering connecting to bility in delivering gigabit terahertz spectrum. integrated Terragraph compliant DN DNs and offers multiple connections in dense The Chinese embassy in the US that provides 360-degree coverage, ports for interface to environments. siklu.com capital Washington, DC tweeted that the country’s “6G” satellite was one of 13 aboard the Long March-6 rocket, which launched Teltronic presents the new MCBS November 6 at the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Centre in Shanxi province. Teltronic presents the new reduction in costs and deployment troubleshooting. All this, added The 70kg 6G test satellite aims MCBS, an outdoor TETRA base time in railway environments. to its low consumption, means to verify the performance of station which, through the use In addition, it allows different significant savings in OPEX. data transmission using terahertz of SDR (Software defined radio) configurations to adapt flexibly to Similarly, the increase in spectrum and will test a number of techniques, provides up to four any number of subscribers and the number of radio resources smart city, environmental protection carriers in a single compact unit, system traffic load. available in a TETRA zone is greatly and disaster prevention applications, offering, it reckons, the highest Furthermore, operation and simplified, as it does not require such as crop and forest fire monitor- level of performance in a single, maintenance tasks are apparently any hardware upgrade or a visit to ing, according to local media reports. lightweight and compact device. simplified as the MCBS is configured the site, but only the incorporation This sixth-generation mobile access The multi-carrier technology, the and monitored completely remotely of licenses to activate new carriers. technology has already started to gain MCBS, with its 40W of from the NEBULA “With this development, Teltronic momentum as major industry players RF Power, is apparently infrastructure Network shows that we keep our commit- back a launch as early as 2030. able to offer the features Management System, ment to TETRA technology and our South Korean giant Samsung of an indoor fixed which incorporates NEBULA infrastructure, incorporat- expects the ITU-R to begin work on base station in a single a set of tools that ing into our portfolio a new product 6G in 2021, with the standard to be compact device that allow supervising its that is the result of hours of completed as early as 2028. This is prepared to operate status in real time, intense work by our R&D engineers would open the door to the earliest outdoors without monitoring the activity and offers unique performance and deployments in 10 years. requiring civil works for of the network users, capabilities in the radio communi- The challenges to 6G are many, in- its installation, which having access to cations market,” explains the com- cluding requiring 100-times the data means a significant statistics and alarm pany’s CEO, Juan Ferro. teltronic.es throughput of 5G and sub-millisecond latency, AT&T executive Mazin Gilbert said at the 6G Symposium last month. Last year, US operators , Viavi releases 2021 updates to the Test AT&T, T-Mobile US and US Cellular joined other operators under the Suite for O-RAN Specifications guise of the Next G Alliance, aiming to steer development of 6G and Viavi Solutions introduces updates to manufacturers worldwide – including plane parameters used by more establish North America as a global its industry-first Test Suite for O-RAN all Tier-1 network equipment vendors than any other solution. leader in the technology. Specifications. The O-RAN ALLI- manufacturers – Viavi boasts to have The company is also active in Japanese mobile phone operator ANCE’s specifications for open radio the most comprehensive O-RAN test specifications development, as the NTT Docomo made early moves to access networks are being adopted by platform on the market, with CUSM- editor of interoperability test specifi- develop 6G technology in January operators and equipment manufac- cations in the open fronthaul with a goal of a commercial launch turers worldwide, to reduce infrastruc- (WG4) and open interfaces by 2030 and in May, China Unicom ture costs and lower the barrier to (WG5) working groups, and and ZTE signed a strategic agreement entry for new product innovation. the co-chair of multiple to develop 6G technologies. Viavi says the test suite has been working groups at the O-RAN Studies have also contributed to augmented to include use cases ALLIANCE. “Viavi’s active a lot of progress in the 6G arena. of critical importance as O-RAN contributions have enabled The University of California that becomes adopted at scale, as it to develop partnerships claimed significant progress by well as learnings from customer with complementary solu- building a device that can speed engagements around the globe. tions from best-of-breed up the process of development and Based on its position validating vendors,” the company save substantial amounts of time network products for operators and argues. viavisolutions.com during the design phase.

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SASIA 21Q1 p28-29 (Wireless Solutions) NEW.indd 29 16/04/2021 11:41 ASIAN WIRELESS COMMS.COM

Latest wireless communications news, views and technology from Asia

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SASIA Website Ad 2021.indd 17 01/04/2021 13:19 WORLD NEWS Caribbean Brazil regulator approves Express: next stop Jamaica 5G spectrum auction rules

The Caribbean Express, Brazilian telecom regula- giant, which currently supplies 50% three to four years in technology. a new multi-billion-dollar tor Anatel approved rules of the existing 3G and 4G networks. Two of Brazil’s main telecom submarine cable system being for a spectrum auction for 5G net- Rules for the auction expected in companies, Telefônica Brasil and rolled out by American telecom works this year and rejected calls to a few months have costly conditions Claro are pressing for a five-year development firm, Ocean Networks, curb China’s Huawei Technologies such as requiring telecom companies transition to the more advanced is making its way to Jamaica. an equipment supplier. to migrate by next year to more stand-alone networks. An 18-fibre pair subsea cable The South American country’s advanced technology with stand-alone “The stand-alone condition system linking the state of Florida president Jair Bolsonaro last year networks not based on their current requires changing the core of today’s to Panama, which is just being built criticised the Chinese company and technology. They will also have to networks and will set us back years,” out, is also being extended to the considered banning the world’s larg- cover the big northern Amazon region said Vivien Suruagy, head of Feninfra, Caribbean island’s capital, Kingston. est telecom equipment-maker from with broadband connectivity, largely a lobby representing 137,000 In the initial phase the Caribbean the country’s fifth-generation technol- using optic fibre cables laid in rivers, companies that build and maintain Express network will not only run ogy market on security concerns. as well as build a separate secure telecommunications networks. between Palm Beach, Florida and Brazil’s telecom companies network for the federal government. The rules must be approved by Balboa, Panama, but with additional insisted on a free market and Industry representatives said Brazil’s Federal Audit Court, the landing points in Cancún, Mexico complained that excluding Huawei Huawei could not be excluded from TCU, where the telecoms hope the and Cartagena, Colombia. would cost billions of dollars to Brazil’s 5G market because, cost government’s onerous conditions Ocean Networks disclosed replace the equipment of the tech aside, it would set the country back can be changed, Suruagy added. plans to build more than a dozen landing points along the route in the coming years in cities such Kingston (Jamaica), ’s MTS launches pilot 5G network Havana (Cuba), George Town (Grand Cayman), Puerto Barrios Russian telecom MTS the company said and added that the Huawei will enable round-the-clock (Guatemala), Puerto Lempira launched the country’s selection of participants in the pilot video surveillance over the 5G (Honduras), Bluefields (Nicaragua), first user pilot 5G network in the project using smartphones with sup- network while at the second stage, and Limón (Costa Rica). 4.9GHz band across 14 locations port for the n79 range will be carried they will provide indoor 5G coverage. The firm also said that once in , using Chinese Huawei’s out on basis analysis of data in their In late Februrary, MTS together launched, the submarine cable system telecom equipment. movement, proximity to pilot locations, with Skoltech, expanded the 5G will be the only system that can offer Subscribers using 5G-compatible internet traffic, among others. coverage in Skolkovo, deploying a dedicated dark fibre pair indefeasible smartphones will be able to connect MTS also said the number of 5G pilot network for the International right of use (IRU) in the Caribbean to 5G Internet at speeds up to 1.5 zones and consequently, the coverage Medical Cluster (MMK). market. An IRU permits customer Gbps, the firm said in a press release. will increase over time. However, no Russia adopted a roadmap to have exclusive use of fibres However, users will not be able to further information was provided. last year intending to roll out 5G throughout the term of a contract. independently connect to pilot zones, At the first stage, MTS and networks across 10 cities by 2024. Orange hires NuRAN for connectivity push in DRC

Orange DRC has penned a Nuran’s technology uses a carri- services. This agreement features a 10-year deal with Canadian er-grade GSM base station powered revenue sharing structure including vendor NuRAN Wireless to help by solar as part of a small-footprint a minimum guaranteed monthly fee expand its rural coverage across the (3 metres x 3 metres x 15 meters per site built for the first five years. Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). tall) remote tower. “This contract is Meanwhile, Orange Cameroon The terms of the agreement in line with our strategy to expand has extended its NaaS contract with focus on NuRAN’s Network as a the NaaS business model across NuRAN Wireless to add a further 120 Service (NaaS) offering, with the Africa,” said Francis Letourneau, sites to its footprint in the market. latter constructing and running CEO of NuRAN. “This is our second Orange will now deploy a total of 242 2000 new towers across the next significant contract in Africa and sites under the agreement. 40 months. The towers will allow with Orange after having already French giant Orange to provide previously announced our agree- The towers fall into one of four 2.75G services and meet pent-up ment with Orange Cameroon SA. categories depending on population demand, with a particular focus for The contract will run for a density and coverage requirements. rural communities with popula- minimum term of 10 years for Nuran’s technology uses a carrier- tions around 5,000. each site, including networking grade GSM base station powered The towers fall into one of four equipment as well as antennas, by solar as part of a small- categories depending on population cabling, solar power systems, footprint (3 metres x 3 metres x 15 density and coverage requirements. towers and related installation meters tall) remote tower

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SASIA 21Q1 p31-34 (World News) NEW.indd 31 16/04/2021 11:41 WORLD NEWS Liquid Intelligent Technologies deploys first overland network

Liquid Intelligent Tech- on the African continent, offering nologies has deployed its low latency, high bandwidth fibre world-class fibre network in the connectivity and high availability. Democratic Republic of Congo “The completion of this project (DRC), an expansion connecing cit- is part of the strategic vision to izens and thousands of businesses connect the African continent to the ‘One Africa’ broadband net- to the rest of the world,” work totalling more than 73,000 said Michel Hebert, CEO Liq- kms across the continent. Further- uid Intelligent Technologies more, Kinshasa and most major DRC. “This fibre deployment cities in the DRC are now connected not only has the potential to directly to the world, linking to such transform the economy of the cities as London, San Francisco, country, but we are also bringing and Singapore, and many other access to scalable state-of-the-art global economic hubs. digital and cloud services that munications to oth- The terrestrial fibre network will enable them to connect to the er African countries connects Muanda, a town lying global digital economy.” all the way from on the west Atlantic coast of the High-speed internet access across Kinshasa to Cape country, to cities as far as Cape the DRC has been almost non-ex- Town. Beyond connec- Town in South Africa, Dar es Salam istent for the past decade, ranking tivity, this deployment in Tanzania and Lubumbashi. 145th globally for internet access. offers people in the This is a first for the country, as This fibre deployment is also DRC access to Africa’s no operator currently offers such a expected to provide the fastest and cloud and other digital seamless link across the continent. lowest costs way for global telecom- services that are poised The DRC route is part of the first-ev- munications operators, OTT’s, ISP’s, to form the backbone of er complete east to west network and enterprises to link their com- the DRC’s digital economy. Phoenix Tower and Monaco Telecom partner up

Phoenix Tower International across Europe and will demonstrate proud to be working with the mobile both markets, as well as significantly (PTI) and Monaco Telecom the neutral host independent tower network operators across the world to expanding its footprint in Europe. have joined forces to operate new model in two new markets to facilitate deploy more coverage solutions and “This transaction allows us to towers sites across Mediterranean increased coverage expansion for is pleased to partner with Monaco create a strategic partnership in island nations Cyprus and Malta. all of the wireless operators and Telecom on this transaction.” Cyprus and Malta with a leading The two companies will purchase ultimately increased connectivity PTI and Monaco Telecom have international firm, which allows over 815 existing wireless towers for the population of Malta and also established a long-term tenancy us to accelerate our investment as well as acquiring newly built Cyprus,” said Dagan Kasavana, chief agreement where the latter will plans on 5G and fibre where we are wireless towers over six years via a executive officer of Phoenix Tower occupy the sites for a minimum present,” added Martin Péronnet, build-to-suit programme. International. “As the economies of of 20 years. On completion, this CEO of Monaco Telecom. “With this latest transaction, PTI the world continue to recover from transaction will position PTI as the The deal, for an undisclosed sum, is continues to expand its presence the impacts of Covid-19, Phoenix is largest tower infrastructure provider in subject to standard closing conditions. Nexign helps CSPs with unified billing system

Nexign, the business help CSPs of any size reduce TTM urable value to CSPs’ business and did not impact customers. support system (BSS) and for new digital services by up to five help them facilitate transformation. “Since CSPs in the Middle East Internet of Things (IoT) solutions times, simplify cooperation with The need to go beyond classical and Africa are looking for the way provider, has completed the large- partners and optimise costs for telecom services pushed MegaFon to streamline digital transformation scale digital transformation project support of billing systems. to rebuild the billing core and processes, it is clear that unified and that addresses the challenges of Having completed the Unified Bill- develop a unified billing system for centralized product management, as CSPs globally, including the Middle ing project for MegaFon –provider all its subsidiaries. The joint team well as technologies like microservic- Eastern and African regions. of digital opportunities that operates of Nexign and MegaFon gradually es and methodologies like Fast Track The company claims that tech- in Russia, Tajikistan, the Republic of moved eight operators’ subsidiaries are in huge demand in the market,” nologies and methodologies intro- Abkhazia and South Ossetia – Nexign to a single BSS platform and ensured said Hassen Hamza, business devel- duced in the Unified Billing project said it has proven it can bring meas- that migration of the subscriber base opment manager of Nexign.

32 SOUTHERN ASIAN WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS Q1 2021

SASIA 21Q1 p31-34 (World News) NEW.indd 32 16/04/2021 11:41 WORLD NEWS Nokia to supply Cibicom with mission-critical LTE network

Nokia has partnered with work that will enable full 4G data vices must not only be foundationally as the supplier of critical and Danish operator and coverage across Denmark, as well sound and built to last but also prior- business-critical infrastructure, internet service provider (ISP) as mass-volume IoT connectivity. itise security, quality, and reliability,” such as waste, water, energy, and Cibicom to implement a new Building on the company’s 450mHz said Lise Karstensen, head of Nordics transportation. Smart grids and 450MHz LTE (4G) network. license acquisition in June, the at Nokia. “In addition, these sectors remote managed petrol stations are The project will ensure that key project will allow Cibicom to improve are also witnessing a growing need for just some of the areas where these mission-critical services throughout its offering to utility companies and IoT-powered remote monitoring and systems will be needed, as well as the Nordic nation have access to ensures that the service provider management solutions, increasing the “blue light” emergency services,. highly reliable and secure connectiv- is in a strong position to adapt to focus on network and service quality, Currently, Cibicom covers 98% ity as well as building preparedness changing customer requirements as well as uptime. This technology of Denmark and the deal will for mass volume IoT adoption. and offer new opportunities and ap- upgrade will make Cibicom’s network maintain that level of coverage, This deal means replacing the plication support around 5G 3.5Ghz. ready for current and future demand.” as well as provide improved existing Cibicom radio networks and “Radio networks supplying waste, Furthermore, this deployment connectivity for private households migrating them to a new frame- water, energy, and transportation ser- will enhance Cibicom’s credentials in neighbouring Greenland. Greece’s OTE Telecom targets growth Zambia OTE Telecom, Greece’s flat at €1.22bn (US$1.48bn) last year. for the Mediterranean country, issues new biggest telecoms operator Revenues came in at €3.26bn, seen reopening later this year, OTE said that revenue would start growing down 1.3% year-on-year, as global said it expected a “progressive from the second half of the year as restrictions to slow down the but measured” return to better spectrum coronavirus vaccinations gather pace spread of Covid-19 and a weak operating conditions and revenue and transport restrictions are lifted. summer tourist season hit both growth from the second half. invitation The firm, which is 46% owned and roaming and its mobile business. The operator, which has launched managed by Deutsche Telecom, said With vaccinations accelerating 5G services, said it would continue The Zambia Information core earnings (EBITDA) were almost and tourism, a key growth driver to focus on growing data usage. and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA) is inviting applications from eligible licensees for issuance of spectrum IFC terminal to deliver Wi-Fi on aircraft in the 800MHZ band but has warned it is in very high demand. via LEO/GEO satellites ZICTA is offering a 2×10MHz block (801MHz-811MHz/842MHz- OneWeb, the global 852MHz), with a reserve price communications network of US$12.5m. Eligibility to powered from Space and SatixFy UK, bid requires the holding of an a multibeam antenna and terminal This deal comes at Electronic Communication Network design specialist, are currently de- a good time for OneWeb as it Licence for the International veloping a new In-Flight Connectivity hoped to gain first mover ad- Market Segment. However, ZICTA (IFC) terminal that will work over the at OneWeb. “This agreement vantage in the satellite broadband plans to offer a restricted granting OneWeb network as well as on Geo- with SatixFy represents a major space, believing the combination procedure, such is the demand. stationary (GEO) satellite networks. milestone for OneWeb Aviation, of its harmonised spectrum and In December 2020, following SatixFy UK has formed a Joint as we plot our path to facilitating LEO constellation design would a competitive process, ZICTA Venture with Singapore Technology onboard connectivity, globally, on give it technological supremacy. awarded Airtel Networks Zambia Engineering Ltd (ST Engineering), commercial airliner and corporate It secured more than US$1bn in Limited radio spectrum in the 800 called JetTalk, to exclusively jets, large and small.” funding before filing bankruptcy MHz frequency band, which was commercialise the IFC terminal for Yoel Gat, CEO at SatixFy, added: protection last year. However, the also priced at US$12.5m. the commercial aviation market. “The ability to deploy multi-beam, business was rescued through a It has been reported that some of OneWeb said it is confident multi-satellite, multi-orbit in-flight takeover by Indian telco Bharti this spectrum will be used to enhance of its suitability for all aviation connectivity terminals is key in Airtel and the Department for the spectrum management functions applications - commercial, SatixFy’s offerings. Aggregating Business, Energy, and Industrial of the authority. This is expected to aid regional, business and government capacity from multiple satellites will Strategy. The UK government now the quick introduction of 5G services aviation use-cases. “OneWeb is give customers the grade of service owns a third of the company after in Zambia as well as enhanced QoE creating IFC solutions which offer they expect to get on flights. This investing £400m in the satellite and services like VoLTE. active mobile a significant increase in the whole great leap forward is made possible system. It allowed OneWeb to subscriptions in Zambia increased passenger travelling experience,” thanks to the continuous support by resume satellite launches and 10.9% to 19.1m December 31, 2020, said Ben Griffin, VP mobility ESA and the UK Space Agency.” increase its constellation to 110. up from 17.2m year-on-year.

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‘Most African operators lack a digital transformation strategy’ Fewer than three in 10 tion. That figure began, telcos in the region have telecommunications increases to more had to work overtime to ensure that operators in Africa and the Middle than 80% for the communities stay connected, but East have established a digital Asia-Pacific region. being so dependent on physical transformation roadmap, putting the The report, which sales channels has made engaging region at a disadvantage compared to delves into the with customers more difficult than the rest of the world when it comes to telco digitalisation ever before. By accelerating their monetising digital sales channels. progress region- plans for digitalisation and, crucially, A new report from the Technology by-region, found putting an achievable roadmap in Innovation Council commissioned that only 55% of place to hit their digitalisation goals, by mobile technology specialists, telcos in Africa and telcos in the region could dramati- Upstream, called The Road to the Middle East cally enhance customer engagement Digital, provides a look into how have carried out a and reduce their costs through telco operators around the world technology needs automation and self-service.” are preparing for digitalisation assessment - one of Elsewhere, the report found during a global pandemic that has the crucial steps in that more than two-thirds of telco seen a dramatic increase in the building a roadmap operators in Africa and the Middle demand for digital services. toward a digital- East have no data management Despite the huge precedent for centric future. strategy in place. This suggests digital sales, more than one-third of “Telcos in that even if they had the means telcos in Africa Middle East are still emerging markets and infrastructure to innovate at least 70% dependent on physical like the Middle digitally, they may inadvertently put channels when it comes to engaging East and Africa are their customers’ data at risk and customers and facilitating sales. least prepared for struggle to retain consumer trust. This puts telcos in the region digital innovation, The report, which went into great at a distinct disadvantage when yet arguably the detail around the planning required compared to other markets that are ones that could for digitalisation, also concluded that already investing more in digital and benefit most,” only one in three telco operators in the selling online. For example, over 70% said Dimitris Middle East and Africa have performed of telcos in Latin America - also an Maniatis, CEO at any kind of IT skills assessment. emerging market - have established Upstream. “Since Telcos are therefore at a disadvantage actionable blueprints for digitalisa- the pandemic when it comes to talent acquisition. STC to list shares of internet services unit in IPO

Saudi Telecom Company STC said it was now in the process coms brands in the Middle East and as it reported its highest annual (STC) will list the shares of of submitting an application for the Africa, weeks after it reported its revenue for eight years. Last year, its internet services unit in an initial registration and offering of its shares highest-ever annual revenue for eight total revenues reached SR58.94bn public offering (IPO), it confirmed. to the Capital Market Authority and years. STC’s brand value increased (US$15.72bn), an increase of 8.43%. The move follows the completion of an application for the listing of its 14% to US$9.2bn, jumping five The Communications and Infor- of a feasibility study into the listing shares to the Saudi Stock Exchange. places to 13th on the annual Brand mation Technology Commission also of the Arabian Internet and Com- In February this year, STC topped Finance Telecoms 150 2021 report. announced that STC has the highest munications Services Co. the list of the most valuable tele- This improved ranking comes mobile download speed in Saudi. SpaceX’s Starlink arriving in Lebanon in 2022

SpaceX satellite internet available, but does establish priority 1,000 satellites into space in over US$499. This service also requires constellation, Starlink, is for the payer in his or her region for 24 missions. The company, owned a monthly $99 subscription. expected to have active coverage in purchasing the it when available in by South African-born American Although Starlink is more Lebanon next year. According to its the future. business magnate Elon Musk, aims expensive than most traditional website, pre-orders are available with Starlink has already launched its to deploy thousands more. internet services today, its ease a fully-refundable deposit of US$99. beta service and made it available The full Starlink Kit, which of installation, high accessibility However, the deposit payment to a limited number of users in includes a small mountable dish for remote areas, low latency, and does not guarantee that the Starlink parts of Canada and the USA. antenna, a Wi-Fi router, and impressive speeds (300 Mbps service and relevant kit will be SpaceX has launched more than power supply, currently retails at download speed), can make the

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SASIA 21Q1 p31-34 (World News) NEW.indd 34 16/04/2021 11:41 THE LAST WORD

Q&A And remember, when you teristic of our customer base, it is Malcolm Chan do manage to make it in my team too. We have 30 people through these challeng- working in APAC, made up of 17 managing director, Asia es, the results can be different nationalities. That’s one BICS deeply rewarding. of the most enriching experiences that any leader can have. What was your big career break? open banking – inno- If you could live This diversity and rapid acceler- The year was 1999. It was vation is being driven at anywhere in the ation are partly just the nature of the onset of the internet-era scale. It’s both challenging world, where would it be? working in the technology industry, and technology companies to meet customer expectations, Well, I might surprise you here, but they also reflect much of what were leading industry 3.0. and exciting to find new ways to given my industry. But I’d like we do as a business; we connect Telecommunications was a key surprise them with new offerings to live somewhere that isn’t so people in every sector and market enabler of this trend, as mobile and services. I am intrigued to connected. I think there is great and allow them to communicate. devices started to replace fixed see how both these industries value in taking a step back from After all, a homogenous market lines, and global connectivity was – fintech and telecoms - will life and considering things, even would be extremely boring – the being boosted as international develop in the next few years and if just for a moment. It can take fun comes in its diversity. roaming started to take off. which of the many innovations some bravery - especially when The telecommunications will push them forward. we live in such an interconnected What do you plan on doing industry across Asia was being world – but putting things on when you retire? liberalised, with new mobile What would you do with $1m? pause can make all the difference. I don’t believe we ever really operators starting up. I had Put simply, I would like to go to That being said, one of the retire, we just find a different the opportunity to join StarHub the darkest parts of the world advantages of living in such an purpose. The questions I ask who had just secured the third and bring light through the use of interconnected world is that we myself are ‘what will I do next mobile license in Singapore to technology. There is such a level have greater freedom of move- that is even more exciting’ and “Make the Change” - a motto of technological sophistication in ment and can take these opportu- ‘what can I do that makes a real which resonated with the rapidly many parts of the world but – at nities to disconnect without fear difference to those around us’. evolving market. My specific goal the same time – many places have of being out of touch. In the last Charity, social enterprise and was to bring new perspectives fallen far behind. In today’s world, year, we have seen how seamless pro bono work are often cited as to an industry that was not there is still a great digital divide mobility and connectivity are let- retirement plans and I think people synonymous with innovation. between the regions that ‘have’ ting people be productive and in are right – we should never stop Having spent almost 10 and those that ‘have not’. This touch wherever they are – I hope endeavouring to help others. I hope years in the financial services kind of investment could work to see more of this in the future. to help start-ups and communities industry with no experience in towards addressing that. benefit from technology and inno- telecommunications was daunting. Investing in these areas – What’s the best thing about vation, and to share my experience I ensured success by keeping my whether it’s a community or your job and industry? and expertise with people. Not just focus on the customer experience, country – can help them to Working in this industry you with young people but with older challenging time-established leapfrog intermediate generations have to get used to constant generations, too, who may need norms and delivering value of technology and deliver real reinvention and disruption – it’s guidance just as much – even if through continuous innovation. benefits to quality of life. Take an extremely diverse job and they are more set in their ways. The past 20 years have been a mobile money as an example. It things are always changing. The I haven’t fully charted out phenomenal journey. Starting in has already revolutionised how APAC region in particular has two which avenue I’ll take when I the consumer space, followed by a Sub-Saharan Africa’s communities defining characteristics that I retire, but I hope to be agile in period of bringing enterprise solu- can access financial services, thrive on – diversity and pace. whatever it is I do. tions to market, and then the last and now we are seeing it grow at The rate of growth in APAC is un- 7 years in wholesale – all of these lightning speed in South Asia. matched and there is such great di- What’s the best lesson you’ve opportunities were only possible For larger scale projects like this, versity in the innumerable challeng- learned? because I took a leap of faith. a million may sadly not be enough es and opportunities that you come You don’t know what success – could I have a billion, please? across daily that you simply get means until you have failed. If you could work in a different used to it. And in my role - where The reality is that we often can’t industry, which would it be? What’s the best advice you’ve I handle markets in every stage get everything right and that is It’s not so much about the been given? of development from advanced to nothing to feel bad about or to industry, and more about the One piece of advice really emerging, with populations ranging beat yourself up over. opportunity to make a difference. resonated with me as a much from a few million to a billion plus, As a parent, I sometimes watch My background in financial younger man and I say this multiple regulatory environments, movies with my children and services, together with my every day to the people around languages, and cultures – things there’s a quote from the Star Wars experience in telecommunications, me – you need to persevere. Give are always changing. And the scale, franchise – ‘The greatest teacher, are the foundations behind fintech. yourself the time to succeed. too, is so diverse. One day, we’re failure is’. If we all accept failure Like telecoms, fintech de- Telecoms is a challenging indus- talking to a small MVNO to help as something that is part of life, velops at a rapid pace and the try – of course, every industry is establish a global footprint, and rather than something that should level of innovation is high. From challenging this year – and results another day we’re discussing with be avoided at all costs, we will m-commerce and distributed will not come overnight. You have a global enterprise how to embed approach innovation differently. ledgers to nanosecond trading, to bring a certain amount of deter- seamless global connectivity on a The most important thing is to un- regulatory-driven change like mination and resilience if you are fleet of millions of devices. derstand what’s not working, learn know your customer (KYC) and to get through these trying periods. And while diversity is a charac- from that, and move forward. n

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