South Korea’s telecommunications incumbent SK Telecom has enjoyed a significant increase in its profits, which it has largely attributed to its investments in its broadband and e-commerce businesses.
Malaysia’s three major mobile operators have all agreed to renew their spectrum licenses in the 2.1GHz band. It was disclosed that each operator paid MYR118.4 ($30.5 million) to renew their licensing agreements with the regulatory commission in the country.
Chinese telecommunications vendor ZTE has recorded a phenomenal financial result for 2017 which has seen its net profit increase by almost 300%. ZTE issued its earning guidance for the last twelve months which indicated a staggering 293% increase from 2016 which was based on a preliminary financial statement.
Chinese telecommunications colossus ZTE has announced it plans on raising $2bn through share placement in an effort to generate the capital it requires in order to accelerate its 5G technology development.
China’s mobile market will soon open up to commercial licenses for MVNOs (mobile virtual network operators) after the Ministry of Industry and Information and Technology (MIIT) launched a public consultation seeking industry input and feedback on the government’s proposal to allow commercial MVNO licenses, including foreign-invested firms.
Japan’s largest mobile operator has reported strong growth across almost all of its business lines in what was a rip-roaring Q3 for NTT Docomo. The telecommunications incumbent in Japan enjoyed a sharp increase in its net profit.
Thailand’s third largest mobile operator has announced that it is set to axe 1,000 jobs despite posting a sharp increase in its net profit in Q4 2017. Dtac is embarking on an aggressive and robust cost-cutting program in an effort to put the telecommunications firm back on a solid financial footing.
US operator Verizon has decided to scrap its plans to sell Huawei smartphones as pressure on Chinese technology companies from the US government continues to intensify amidst security concerns.
Qualcomm and Samsung have strengthened their relationship, which could help the mobile chipmaker fend off its antitrust case in South Korea. As part of an expanded cross-license agreement, Samsung “will be withdrawing its interventions” into Qualcomm’s appeal against an $868 million fine announced in 2016 over what the Korean Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) deemed “excessive” licensing fees.
China has been projected to lead the global adoption of 5G technology by 2023, according to research compiled by CCS Insight. CCS Insight have claimed that the country’s booming market will ensure and facilitate that 5G is quicker out of the starting blocks than any other previous mobile technology.
