Latest news with #digitalconnectivity
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Singtel-led consortium and NEC to build new subsea cable connecting key Asian markets
Set to be completed by late 2029, the 8,900-km Asia United Gateway East system aims to boost bandwidth, network resilience and digital connectivity across the region. Singapore Telecommunications (Singtel) and a group of leading telco and tech firms have signed a contract with NEC Corporation to build a new 8,900 km submarine cable system. Called the Asia United Gateway East (AUG East), the subsea cable will connect Singapore and Japan, with Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, South Korea and Taiwan. It is scheduled for completion by the third quarter of 2029. To be built using the latest fibre optic technology, AUG East will feature a high-count fibre pair system designed to deliver significant bandwidth capacity. By providing additional bandwidth to complement existing submarine cable systems, it will address the region's artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure needs. Tech research firm Omdia forecasts that global network traffic from AI applications will surpass that of conventional applications by 2031. AUG East will also enhance network diversity and cable resilience, helping to maintain connectivity during natural disasters such as earthquakes. 'With the surge in demand for high-speed connectivity and bandwidth needed for AI innovation in the region, the development of resilient, high-capacity digital infrastructure is more important than ever. This investment will play a critical role in advancing digital inclusion and catalysing economic growth across the region,' says Alan Tan, chairperson of the Asia United Gateway Cable Management Committee and director of Submarine Cable Planning at Singtel. The consortium behind the project is chaired by Singtel and includes Amazon Web Services, Microsoft, Aeteria Networks, Chunghwa Telecom, Dreamline, Globe Telecom, Telekom Malaysia and Unified National Networks. Singtel has a long history and expertise in submarine cable investments in the region. Its investments include the Southeast Asia-Middle East-Western Europe 6 and Southeast Asia-Japan 2 cable systems, spanning over 195,000 kilometres to cover more than 30 countries. As at 10:23 am, shares in Singtel are trading 8 cents higher, or 1.98% up, at $4.13. See Also: Click here to stay updated with the Latest Business & Investment News in Singapore Singtel makes further bets on NCS to keep growth engines running MAS to further boost financial institutions' AI adoption and quantum readiness Why the future of innovation depends on the network you don't see Read more stories about where the money flows, and analysis of the biggest market stories from Singapore and around the World Get in-depth insights from our expert contributors, and dive into financial and economic trends Follow the market issue situation with our daily updates Or want more Lifestyle and Passion stories? Click hereError in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Khaleej Times
5 days ago
- Business
- Khaleej Times
UAE among three countries where every adult resident owns a phone
The UAE, along with Norway and Libya, is among the only three countries in the world where every adult resident owns a mobile phone, according to a new study. In the Gulf region, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Oman follow closely with 98 per cent mobile phone ownership among adults, while Kuwait stands at 95 per cent, according to the World Bank's Global Findex 2025 report. Several developed countries also report high mobile phone penetration. In Sweden, Iceland, Finland, Lithuania, Italy, Denmark, and Estonia, 99 per cent of adults own a mobile phone. The figure stands at 98 per cent in the United States, Cyprus, Algeria, Hong Kong (China), Latvia, Mongolia, and Vietnam. In most other developed nations, mobile ownership typically ranges in the mid-90 per cent range. Among major developing countries, the numbers are notably lower: 66 per cent in India, 63 per cent in Pakistan, 78 per cent in the Philippines, 85 per cent in Egypt, and 92 per cent in the United Kingdom. 'Mobile phones and the internet have become widespread and essential to daily life in economies around the globe. As of 2024, 86% of adults worldwide own a mobile phone,' the World Bank noted. 'For many people, barely an hour passes without using a mobile device — whether to make a call, send a text, read the news, conduct business, post on social media, make payments, play games, or search for information. As digital connectivity expands, online interaction is becoming a top priority for individuals, businesses, and governments alike.' Internet usage is also high across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), ranging between 86 per cent and 99 per cent over the past three months. This trend is reflected in the 2025 Global Digital Shopping Index, which found that the UAE leads the world in mobile-driven online shopping, with 37 per cent of purchases made via mobile devices. This surpasses Singapore (34.8 per cent), the UK (27.6 per cent), and Brazil (24.4 per cent). Commissioned by Visa Acceptance Solutions and conducted by Pymnts Intelligence, the study also found that 67 per cent of UAE consumers used a mobile device in their most recent retail purchase — a 23 per cent increase since 2022. Additionally, 38 per cent of UAE shoppers completed their latest retail transaction online using a mobile phone or computer for home delivery. 'The UAE's approach shows what is possible when all stakeholders work together to build the future of commerce,' said Salima Gutieva, vice-president and country manager for Visa UAE. A separate study by Syrve Mena highlighted the continued dominance of food delivery apps in the region. Around 75 per cent of mobile orders from surveyed restaurants were processed through platforms like HungerStation, Talabat, and Deliveroo. The remaining 25% were handled through call centers, proprietary apps, or restaurant websites — further underscoring the central role of mobile technology in the daily lives of UAE residents.
RNZ News
6 days ago
- Business
- RNZ News
Call for digital connectivity to be treated as basic need
The Connecting Aotearoa Summit 2025 report calls for 100 percent digital connectivity. Photo: Gabriel Benois for Unsplash A recent forum of tech users wants digital connectivity to be treated as a basic necessity for all New Zealanders. The Connecting Aotearoa Summit 2025 report calls for 100 percent digital connectivity to ensure affordable access for all, regardless of location. "This report is a call to action, because one in five New Zealand households are still digitally excluded, and that is simply not acceptable," Technology Users Association (TUANZ) chief executive Craig Young said. "Connectivity must be recognised as an essential utility, just like electricity or water, so that no one is left behind." The report highlights ongoing issues around rural connectivity, affordability, digital skills, and the need for resilient, future-focused infrastructure. "We have made huge progress as a nation, but to close the remaining gaps, we need more targeted investment, strong partnerships, and a long-term vision," Young said. The report also points to the importance of community-driven solutions, digital literacy, and raising awareness about digital exclusion. "What we heard at the summit is that collaboration between government, industry, and communities is key," he said. "The practical solutions are there, but we need the will and the resources to implement them." Young said the focus should be on strengthening rural connectivity, making the internet affordable for everyone and exploring emerging technologies and innovative solutions. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Gulf Business
10-07-2025
- Business
- Gulf Business
du and Omantel expand Gulf connectivity with high-speed fibre network
Oman skyline. Image: Getty images du, UAE's telecom and digital services provider, and Omantel, the Sultanate of Oman's integrated telecommunications company, have announced the activation of the Oman Emirates Gateway (OEG) — a 275-kilometre international fibre optic submarine cable system designed to enhance digital connectivity between the UAE and Oman. The OEG connects three major regional data centres: datamena DX1 in Dubai, Equinix MC1 in Barka, and Equinix SN1 in Salalah. The high-capacity system aims to provide a seamless express route that improves network efficiency, speeds up connectivity, and offers a significant uplift in digital service experiences across the region. Recent news: Karim Benkirane, chief commercial officer of du, said: 'The Oman Emirates Gateway is far more than just an optical cable; it is a bridge towards future-proofing the digital infrastructure of the region. This project will be a cornerstone for hyperscalers, content providers, and international carriers, empowering them to enhance their presence in the UAE and Oman, and optimize their operational capability to meet the growing demands of the digital era.' Samy Al Ghassany, chief technology and digital officer at Omantel, added: 'The full activation of the Oman Emirates Gateway marks a pivotal milestone in our journey towards digital transformation in Oman and beyond. We are proud to contribute to the region's content enrichment and to establish a robust, high-capacity corridor that will empower businesses across Oman and the UAE. This achievement goes beyond mere connectivity; it propels the entire region towards innovation, growth, and global competitiveness.' Fibre optic submarine cable system The OEG system is built for high resilience, offering dual route options via both terrestrial and subsea paths. It is designed to deliver exceptional reliability and performance, supporting emerging technologies and future scalability. The infrastructure will also enable faster cloud access and direct connections to global data centres, supporting international business operations and digital transformation. This milestone reinforces the strategic partnership between du and Omantel and strengthens their positions as key wholesale players in the region. It also reflects a joint commitment to accelerating digital innovation, attracting global technology companies, and contributing to economic growth and technological advancement in both the UAE and Oman.
Top Gear
02-07-2025
- Automotive
- Top Gear
Polestar 3 - long-term review - Report No:2 2025
This is making my automotive life increasingly difficult. The Polestar 3 is a beacon of digital connectivity, a car that invites you to become part of an impossibly shiny ecosystem. All good in theory, but stress tested by me in inimitable fashion. For example, Polestar really wants you to use your phone as a digital key, a brand invocation I'd resolutely ignored. Instead, I was relying on the little credit card with its fob thing for distance recognition. A bit fiddly but tolerable. Cybercrime, as we all know, is the new ground zero for law enforcement. Villains take note: you don't need expensive kit or nerdy IT goons gone bad, you need me. I'm a one-man EMP device. Phones, laptops, smart TVs: you name it, I will fail to make them work. I'm a technology magician, only in reverse. Also, it turns out, prone to running out of charge with nothing on it to indicate when this might happen. To keep it charged, you need to place the fob on the inductive charging pad on the centre console, and check the centre display for its SOC. Let it run flat and you won't be able to get into the car. I learnt this the hard way one evening. Anyway, I'm now fully digitally keyed up and have a new App to fiddle with. But a convert? Not yet. A quick look on Polestar forums suggests that the card, fob and digital key all excite, shall we say, various levels of comment. The digital key uses Ultra Wideband tech for greater security and convenience, and if you keep the card about your person as back-up you should be all good. But you need to keep the fob charged, too. This is a weird interpretation of convenience, if you ask me. Especially as you can add OCD to my EMP functionality, except that you can hardly check that your car's locked if it automatically unlocks as you approach it. This is all ruinous for my mental health. There have been a few other glitches, highlighting the pitfalls of software defined cars. The Polestar 3 has separate volume channels for phone and audio. When I finished a call and returned to a podcast, the system didn't hand back to the audio and wouldn't adjust. That was cured the next time I got in the car. Also temperamental was the manual control for the air con. That also mysteriously fixed itself. All of which suggests that technology is great when it works. And a royal pain in the arse when it doesn't. Especially when the car itself is so good… Did I mention that the Polestar 3 is a car?
