Alphabet Inc.’s Google has announced a $1 billion investment in Thailand to establish a data centre and cloud region, aimed at meeting the increasing demand for cloud services and supporting AI adoption in Southeast Asia. This investment is projected to create approximately 14,000 jobs annually until 2029, according to a Deloitte study.
Google’s new cloud and data centre infrastructure will be situated in Chonburi and Bangkok, respectively, improving access to Google Cloud capabilities and AI innovations while also supporting popular services like Search, Maps, and Google Workspace. This announcement follows Microsoft’s launch of its own regional data centre in Thailand in May, aimed at expanding cloud services in the region.
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra praised Google’s investment, stating that it aligns well with the country’s Cloud First Policy, which promotes the adoption of cloud technologies across various sectors.
OMS Group, a Malaysian telecom infrastructure company backed by KKR, is reconsidering its Initial Public Offering (IPO) plans after pausing them last year. That move follows a $400 million investment from KKR to support OMS’ expansion in Southeast Asia’s digital infrastructure market.
While the IPO details remain undecided, Deputy CEO Richard Sun mentioned the Malaysian stock exchange as a possible venue. Meanwhile, OMS secured $292.5 million in loans from HSBC and E-Sun Commercial Bank to fund its growth, including new vessels by 2029.
Beyond fleet expansion, OMS is actively growing its interconnect managed services (IMS) and subsea cable routes business, a key focus for the past five years. Currently, the company operates cable landing stations and subsea routes across Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and Thailand, with plans to extend its reach to Vietnam and the Philippines. These developments are part of OMS’ broader vision to become Southeast Asia’s leading, comprehensive connectivity solutions provider.
The Philippines is actively pursuing public-private partnerships (PPPs) to enhance connectivity for millions of Filipinos in remote areas. Globe Telecom, along with other industry players, is leading efforts to construct new cell towers, with the initial phase focused on building 1,500 towers across major telecommunications providers like Globe, Smart Communications, and DITO Telecommunity.
That initiative highlights the country’s commitment to improving digital connectivity. Globe’s CEO, Ernest Cu, emphasises the importance of collaboration between the telecommunications industry and the government to tackle infrastructure challenges. Consequently, investments in network infrastructure are expected to boost access to digital services and create economic opportunities.
To facilitate the project, the task force has called for legislative reforms to simplify the permit process and ensure a stable power supply for cell towers. Nevertheless, with over 26% of Filipinos still offline as of early 2024, there is an urgent need to bridge the digital divide and foster a more inclusive digital economy.
The Egyptian Postal Service is implementing a comprehensive development plan to enhance its services and modernise its infrastructure. That initiative not only reflects a significant commitment to improving accessibility and efficiency but also addresses the evolving needs of the population.
For instance, the increase in the number of post offices in Egypt from 3,600 in 2018 to 4,850 today demonstrates this dedication. By equipping these facilities with the latest technological solutions, the postal service aims to meet the growing demands of the digital age and provide an improved customer experience. Ultimately, this modernisation will streamline operations and ensure citizens can easily access essential services in a rapidly changing environment.
Moreover, the Egyptian Postal Service is crucial to the government’s broader efforts to modernise the economy. Ahmed Badawy, the Communications and Information Technology Committee Chairperson has highlighted the importance of collaboration between the committee, the ministry, and its affiliated bodies. That partnership is essential for successfully implementing initiatives that enhance the capabilities of the postal service and related sectors.
Furthermore, the postal service is a key player in attracting investments in communications and IT, particularly in mobile phone manufacturing. By expanding programs focused on applied technology schools, the ministry is equipping future generations with the skills needed to thrive in an increasingly digital landscape and fostering innovation and growth in the industry.
Google has restricted the creation of new accounts for Russian users, according to Russia‘s digital ministry. The move follows mounting pressure on the tech giant over its failure to remove content deemed illegal by Moscow and for blocking Russian media channels on YouTube following the invasion of Ukraine. Telecom operators have also reported a sharp decline in the number of SMS messages sent by Google to Russian users.
The digital ministry warned there is no guarantee that two-factor authentication SMS confirmations will continue functioning for Google services. It advised users to back up their data and consider alternative authentication methods or domestic platforms. Google had already deactivated AdSense accounts in Russia in August and halted serving ads in the country in March 2022.
Google has blocked over 1,000 YouTube channels linked to state-sponsored Russian media, as well as more than 5.5 million videos. Slower speeds on YouTube in Russia have been recorded recently, with Russian lawmakers blaming the issue on Google’s equipment, a claim the company disputes.
The US National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) provides over $45 million in grant funding through the Digital Equity Capacity & Planning Grant Program, a significant initiative to enhance digital literacy and access to internet-enabled devices in Native communities. The program addresses the digital divide faced by federally recognised American Indian tribes, Alaska Native corporations, and Native Hawaiian communities.
It adopts a holistic approach to digital equity, which comprises three key components – infrastructure that ensures high-speed internet access at home, the availability of various internet-enabled devices, and essential skills and training for effective internet use. Additionally, the NTIA aims to tackle broader challenges beyond traditional infrastructure, including the availability of connected devices, digital skills development, cybersecurity awareness, and network maintenance.
Moreover, digital literacy is vital for participation in the digital economy, particularly in telehealth and distance learning areas. Consequently, access to devices and skills significantly impacts community well-being and educational opportunities. That funding also addresses barriers that lead to lower participation rates in tech careers and limited access to computer science courses for Native students in the US. Furthermore, applications for the grant program are open until 7 February 2025, allowing tribes to seek funding for projects that promote digital literacy and device access, thereby contributing to a more equitable and connected future for Native communities.
Spotify faced a three-hour outage, disrupting service for over 40,000 users in the US. Users reported problems with playlists, random stops in music, and being unable to stream beyond recently played songs. By the afternoon, fewer than 600 users continued to experience issues.
Downdetector, a site that tracks outages, recorded the disruption, while Spotify reassured users on social media that services were returning to normal. However, the company did not comment on the cause of the outage when contacted by Reuters.
We’re aware of some issues right now with the app and our web page, and are checking them out!
Despite this incident, Spotify’s subscriber base remains strong. In the second quarter, the number of paying subscribers rose to 246 million.
The temporary outage in the US was an inconvenience for many, but Spotify quickly moved to resolve the issue. Most users saw their services restored within a few hours, ensuring minimal disruption overall.
Philippines is embarking on a three-year network infrastructure plan to enhance connectivity for geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs) by 2028. That initiative, presented by telecommunications providers, aims to construct new communication towers while maximising the use of existing infrastructure.
By addressing the connectivity gap in the country, the plan ensures that remote communities can access essential services such as education, healthcare, and government support, thereby promoting inclusivity and enhancing the overall quality of life for residents. Furthermore, this commitment to improving connectivity aligns with President Marcos’ pledge to bring telecom services to underserved areas.
The current plan includes subsidised SIM cards with data plans to unconnected households, ensuring families have the necessary tools to connect to the internet and mobile services. As of 2024, Globe has already established over 600 operational cell sites in GIDAs, marking a significant step toward making essential communication services accessible to remote communities.
Moreover, Philippines recognises the need for optimised network coverage and advocates for critical legislative support to streamline the permitting process for new cell sites. Ensuring a consistent power supply for telecommunications towers and rationalising spectrum user fees are essential to this strategy.
Why does this matter?
The country aims to create a conducive environment for rapid infrastructure expansion by addressing these regulatory challenges. Consequently, through these efforts, Philippines is working towards a ‘Digital Philippines,’ where all citizens can access vital communication services that improve their lives regardless of their geographical location.
The FCC has made a pivotal move to enhance broadband services across the United States by allocating additional spectrum in the 17.3-17.7 GHz band to non-geostationary satellite operators (NGSO), including notable providers like Starlink. The decision is designed to improve broadband speeds and increase accessibility, particularly for fixed-satellite services (FSS) directed toward stationary points on Earth, such as residential antennas.
Importantly, NGSO operators will share this newly allocated 1,300 megahertz of spectrum with geostationary satellite (GEO) operators. However, they must adhere to strict power limits and conditions to minimise interference.
Moreover, the FCC has emphasised that this spectrum allocation is part of a broader strategy to promote spectrum efficiency, stimulate competition, and expand high-speed internet access, especially in underserved and unserved communities. Consequently, this initiative seeks to drive innovation and facilitate deploying advanced services in areas lacking robust traditional internet infrastructure, effectively bridging the digital divide.
In response to concerns raised by geostationary satellite operators like EchoStar and DirectTV, who argued that NGSO operators should only have secondary access to prevent potential interference, the FCC determined that both NGSO and GEO operators would share the 17 GHz spectrum on a co-primary basis. However, it is worth noting that NGSO downlinks in the 17.7-17.8 GHz band will be afforded different interference protection from terrestrial services.
MTN South Africa and ZTE Corporation have made a groundbreaking advancement by launching Africa’s first 5G Ultra-range maritime offshore coverage in Mossel Bay, Western Cape. The innovative initiative sets a new benchmark in maritime connectivity and promises to enhance communication in previously unreachable areas.
By integrating cutting-edge 5G technology, this partnership aims to revolutionise maritime industries’ operations, thus facilitating greater efficiency and responsiveness in various sectors. Furthermore, deploying 5G Ultra-range maritime coverage will provide high-speed internet access, achieving over 210 Mbps throughput at 22 kilometres from the shore. That significant enhancement in connectivity will benefit local fishermen, tourism, shipping, and marine research, ultimately improving operational efficiency and opening up new economic opportunities for local communities.
In addition, MTN South Africa and ZTE Corporation are dedicated to fostering technological innovation that directly impacts local communities. Their collaborative effort in deploying this advanced maritime coverage reflects a strong commitment to digital transformation in Africa.
Moreover, this initiative strategically aligns with the African Union’s vision for a digitally connected continent and supports various Sustainable Development Goals, including economic growth and innovation, as they continue to expand their 5G network, which currently covers 44% of the South African population—a substantial increase from last year’s 25%—MTN and ZTE aim to ensure that more communities benefit from high-speed internet access.
