Vietnam is committed to ensuring universal access to fibre-optic internet by 2030, aiming to connect every city, province, industrial facility, and household nationwide. The initiative includes launching at least two new international submarine cable routes and achieving 99% coverage of the 5G broadband network by the end of 2025, with a goal for all internet users to benefit from fibre-optic connections offering speeds of at least 1 Gbps.
Additionally, each citizen will have access to one Internet of Things (IoT) connection and a digital identity, with over 70% of adults expected to possess a digital or electronic signature by 2030. To support this digital transformation, Vietnam plans to establish hyper-scale, AI-supportive, and edge data centres that meet international standards while focusing on attracting domestic and international investments in digital infrastructure.
Enhancing digital infrastructure is vital for Vietnam’s socioeconomic growth and competitiveness in the global market. The government seeks to create a robust economic foundation that supports innovation and drives sustainable development by investing in and improving its digital capabilities. As Vietnam positions itself in the digital age, these strategic initiatives will empower citizens with greater access to technology and bolster the nation’s economic resilience and global standing.
A1 Austria, Eurofiber, and Quantcom have joined forces to develop a high-speed dark-fibre network connecting Frankfurt and Vienna, marking a significant advancement in European telecommunications. Scheduled for completion in December 2025, this ambitious project aims to deliver an ultra-low-latency infrastructure essential for meeting modern telecommunications’s growing demands.
By collaborating, these three providers are not only bolstering their technical capabilities but are also ensuring that the network will support a wide array of critical applications, including cloud services, media broadcasting, AI, and machine learning (ML). Furthermore, the network’s low latency will significantly enhance connectivity for key industries across Europe, making it a vital asset for telecommunications companies, fixed network operators, and global enterprises.
Ultimately, this new fibre network is poised to serve as a critical backbone for the region’s digital ecosystem, facilitating seamless communication and data exchange. As a result, it is expected to have a substantial economic impact by connecting various industries and enabling high-performance connectivity, thereby acting as a catalyst for growth across multiple sectors.
Moreover, this initiative addresses the current demand for faster and more reliable data transfer and lays the groundwork for a more robust digital infrastructure in Europe, thereby fostering innovation and economic development in the years to come.
IHS Towers, ALTON, and the NCC have proposed a series of strategic initiatives to safeguard Nigeria’s telecommunications infrastructure, which is increasingly vulnerable to cyber threats, theft, and vandalism. Central to this proposal is developing a robust Critical National Information Infrastructure Protection Plan (CNIIPP) that emphasises collaboration among all relevant stakeholders, including telecom operators, regulatory bodies, and the government.
Key initiatives include establishing a secure, centralised database of all telecom infrastructure managed by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA). Additionally, mandatory routine surveillance of major telecom installations by security agencies such as the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the police is crucial for deterring threats.
The proposal also advocates for standardised procedures for responding to incidents and public awareness campaigns to educate citizens on the importance of protecting critical national information infrastructure. Regulatory support from the NCC, including establishing a dedicated committee to assist telecom operators, will further reinforce these efforts.
Maintaining secure and resilient telecommunications infrastructure is essential for national security and economic growth. The interconnectedness of modern society relies heavily on a robust telecom sector, which supports critical services, including healthcare, education, and financial systems.
By prioritising infrastructure resilience and emphasising a commitment to security, Nigeria can ensure the continuity of these vital services even in the face of potential threats. This holistic approach protects the telecommunications sector and promotes sustainable economic development across the nation.
Liberty Networks, Gold Data, and Sparkle have partnered to develop the MANTA subsea cable system, significantly enhancing connectivity across Latin America, the Caribbean, and the USA. The 5,600 km system will not only be the first international submarine cable in the Gulf of Mexico but will also provide high-capacity, low-latency routes, effectively connecting key data hubs in Mexico City, Bogotá, Panama City, and the USA.
Designed to support a minimum of 20 terabits per fibre pair, MANTA aims to address the region’s growing data demands and improve traffic flow. Furthermore, the cable is expected to be operational by 2027, with the companies planning to announce their technology provider soon.
Consequently, the MANTA project is set to revolutionise digital communication across the region by enhancing the resilience of Latin America’s digital infrastructure. By creating faster and more reliable data pathways, the subsea system will foster innovation and meet the evolving needs of businesses and consumers. The collaboration between Liberty Networks, Gold Data, and Sparkle, therefore, marks a significant step forward in the ongoing digital transformation of the Americas.
Schneider Electric has announced an $850 million deal to acquire a 75% controlling stake in Motivair Corp, a US company specialising in liquid cooling solutions for high-performance computing. The French firm expects to complete the all-cash deal in the coming quarters, with plans to acquire the remaining stake by 2028. The acquisition is part of Schneider’s strategy to expand its offerings for the rapidly growing data centre market, which increasingly demands efficient cooling solutions for technologies like generative AI.
Motivair, located in Buffalo, New York, manufactures advanced cooling systems that pump coolant directly near chips, efficiently managing the heat produced by high-performance computing—something traditional air cooling struggles to do. Schneider CEO Peter Herweck emphasised the expansion of the data centre and networks sector, which accounted for 21% of the company’s 2023 orders, approximately 8 billion euros. He also noted strong global demand for these technologies.
Herweck stated that Schneider is not actively pursuing further acquisitions in the data centre sector but remains open to opportunities as they emerge. The company’s shares have climbed 31% this year, driven by its strong market presence and the growing demand for advanced cooling solutions in data centres.
The Mekong-US Partnership (MUSP) recently hosted a policy dialogue on online scams, bringing together government representatives from Thailand, the US, and Vietnam. The seminar, held in Bangkok, focused on addressing cybersecurity issues and fostering cooperation to combat online crime across the Mekong region. The event was organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Stimson Center, with support from the US Department of State.
Discussions centred around strategies to prevent online scams, enhance risk management, and ensure the security of digital financial systems. Thai officials, including Ekapong Harimcharoen from the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, highlighted national policies and shared insights with international partners. Participants explored collaborative efforts to build a secure online environment and promote regional connectivity under the MUSP framework.
Thailand is taking significant steps to expand its digital economy, projected to contribute 11% to GDP by 2027. Several laws and initiatives are already in place, such as the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) and the Cyber Security Act. These measures aim to protect data, promote responsible AI development, and safeguard critical infrastructure sectors including healthcare, banking, and telecommunications.
With remote work and cloud technologies becoming more prominent, the demand for cybersecurity solutions is growing. Thailand aims to position itself as a regional leader in information and communications technology while tackling the evolving challenges of cybercrime. Cooperation under the MUSP framework is expected to enhance resilience in the digital landscape of the Mekong sub-region.
Apple has resolved an issue that temporarily prevented users from downloading apps on iPhone, iPad, and Mac devices. The outage, which began at around 11AM ET on Wednesday, caused widespread problems for users attempting to install new apps.
Reports of the issue quickly surfaced on social media, with users in both the United States and Europe affected. When attempting to download apps, the ‘Get’ button would briefly indicate loading before resetting, leaving users unable to complete the installation.
By around 12:30PM ET, the App Store appeared to be functioning normally again, and users could download apps as usual. However, the problem did not affect updates to apps that had already been installed on devices.
Apple has not yet responded to requests for more information regarding the cause of the outage.
South Korea plans to strengthen measures to prevent the overseas leakage of business secrets as global competition for advanced technology intensifies, according to Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok. The government will implement a “big data” system at the patent agency to monitor potential leaks and introduce stricter regulations with tougher penalties for offenders, although details on the punishments were not provided.
The National Intelligence Service reported 97 attempts to leak business secrets to foreign countries over the past five years, 40 of which targeted the semiconductor sector. If successful, these breaches could have caused losses of approximately 23 trillion won ($16.85 billion). Recently, a South Korean executive accused of stealing Samsung Electronics’ chip technology was detained again over new allegations.
In response to global competition and supply chain challenges, South Korea has identified 12 sectors, including semiconductors, rechargeable batteries, aerospace, and AI, as ‘national strategic technologies.’ These industries receive targeted support and protection to boost the country’s technological leadership.
The Mexican telecom giant, America Movil, will focus on expanding its 5G wireless technology next year, prioritising Latin American markets. Controlled by billionaire Carlos Slim’s family, the company aims to advance its 5G network across key regions.
The company allocated $7 billion for capital expenditure this year, with 5G expansion at the core of its strategy. CEO Daniel Hajj confirmed the effort will continue in 2025, singling out Mexico and other Latin American countries as priorities.
Additional funding is being considered to support operations in markets like Peru, Colombia, and Brazil, according to CFO Daniel Garcia. Maintaining current debt levels remains a goal despite plans for refinancing in these regions.
America Movil is also in discussions with SpaceX for potential collaboration. A partnership with the space technology firm could link SpaceX services with the company’s main mobile network. Shares rose over 3% following a strong earnings report, highlighted by tripled quarterly profits.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has announced a formal inquiry into the use of data caps by telecom companies. The investigation aims to assess how these caps impact consumers and market competition, particularly in an increasingly connected world.
FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel expressed concerns about the effects of limiting internet usage. She pointed out that data caps could harm small businesses by cutting off access to customers, penalise low-income families with additional fees, and limit essential communication tools for people with disabilities.
Rosenworcel noted that, for many Americans, rationing internet use would be unthinkable. However, millions of people across the country constantly face limitations on their data usage, which may hinder their ability to stay connected.
The inquiry is expected to explore whether these caps unfairly limit consumer choice and what impact they have on competition among telecom providers.
