Industry News

UK wireless technology company Ranplan has claimed that its innovative technology will play a ‘major role’ in the ongoing global evolution of smart cities. The radio planning specialist is building a stellar reputation on a global basis - primarily because it has developed tools that plan both indoor and combined indoor and outdoor RF wireless networks. Telecom Review managed to secure an exclusive interview with Ranplan’s charismatic CEO Alastair Williamson at CommunicAsia, Asia’s premier ICT exhibition and conference held annually in Singapore to discuss the organization’s future in the APAC region, its role within smart cities - and its objectives for the rest of 2017.

CommunicAsia, EnterpriseIT and BroadcastAsia 2017 wrapped up yesterday after a three-day exhibition and conference addressing technologies and strategies for smart cities and digital ecosystems driving the digital strategies and transformation roadmaps of governments and enterprises in Asia.

China Telecom has announced that COO Yang Xiaowei has resigned from his position with immediate effect. The news has been met with widespread shock and surprise by those within the telecommunications sector in China.

China Telecom, is the country’s third largest operator - and whilst it did recently express that it was facing increasingly intensive market competition, its recently published financial results for Q1 were seen as extremely positive – with the results indicating a solid performance overall in Q1. However, Yang has now resigned just 14 months after taking the position within the organization.

Yang had been a member of the China Telecom board prior to his appointment as President and COO in April 2016, at the same time as Yang’s appointment – CEO and chairman Yang Jie took over at the helm. However, in the statement issued by China Telecom the operator chooses not to disclose any reasons as to why Yang departed the company with immediate effect. It stated that no disagreement had taken place with the board, and in addition to this, said no matters in relation to his resignation should be brought to the attention of shareholders. The brief statement read: “There was no disagreement with the board and there wasn’t any matters in relation to his resignation that should be brought to the attention of the shareholders.”

In April, CEO, Yang Jie said the operator was now facing increased competition in an increasingly competitive environment – but financial results showed steady enhancement in operation revenue and net profit. However, a cloud of suspicion remains over the sudden departure of Yang Xiaowei.

China’s three leading mobile operators also confirmed that it will end domestic consumer roaming fees by the end of October – which is part of government initiative to cut consumer costs in the country.

Japanese electronics giant Sony Corporation says it will drop its smartphone portfolio under the ‘Premium Standard’ category which was launched in 2016 and comprised of the Xperia X and the Xperia Compact. The devices were designed by Sony to be both affordable and offer flagship specifications, but sales didn’t take off.

Chinese corporation ZTE announced the signing of a Strategic Partnership Agreement on 5G and IoT with Telenet, the largest provider of cable broadband services in Belgium, deepening the two companies’ collaboration on next-generation technologies.

The recent ransomware cyber-attack which targeted a series of large corporations and multinationals on a global scale has increased the focus on the issue of cybersecurity. India is home to an army of ‘ethical hackers’ who earn vast sums of money protecting foreign corporations and global technology leaders from cyber-attacks. However, at home in India these hackers are largely ignored – which poses the question is their unique skillset misunderstood or distrusted?

Leading Indian mobile operator Bharti Airtel has engaged in discussions with search engine colossus Google about the possibility of collaborating together in order to deploy Wi-Fi hotspots in strategic locations across the country in an effort to improve its broadband coverage.

ZTE Corporation, a major international provider of telecommunications, enterprise and consumer technology solutions for the Mobile Internet, today announced that with the highest score in comprehensive assessment ZTE was rated No.1 in China Mobile’s New Packet Transport Network (PTN) Procurement Project.

Vodafone and LG UPlus jointly announced a new Partner Market agreement for South Korea, the first strategic partnership by LG Uplus with a global telecommunications company since the company’s founding in 2010.

1,000 runners took time out from their weekday schedules to lace up and pound the trails at Gardens by the Bay (Silver Leaf) while taking part in the PCCW Global Charity Run 2017. With 100% of the proceeds being donated to Make-A-Wish Singapore, a total of SGD$50,000 was raised for the foundation. These funds will fulfill the wishes and dreams of children with life-threatening medical conditions.