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The number of 5G subscriptions in Vietnam is forecast to reach 6.3 million in 2025, according to a report on 5G development in Southeast Asia by the network equipment maker Cisco.
According to a press release, Vietnam and Singapore are expected to be the first countries in the region to roll out the latest wireless communications technology in 2020-2021.
The report noted that the market penetration in Vietnam in the early stage of 5G implementation will be lower than Indonesia and Thailand, but growth is projected to accelerate in the later stage.
The early rollout of 5G services could help Vietnamese mobile carriers increase revenues by US $300 million a year, starting from 2025.
However, they need to invest about US $1.5-2.5 billion in technology during the 2020-2025 period.
Southeast Asian countries need to address the slow release of frequency spectrums for 5G services while carriers should introduce appropriate 5G services and prices to encourage users to switch to higher speeds, the report said.
For corporate customers, mobile operators are advised to create new features, combine enhanced speeds with solutions and applications so that they can understand and expand added-value services.
According to experts, 5G’s higher speeds and lower latency will help bring a wide range of services to users, such as super-fast internet, high-resolution video streaming, cloud-based entertainment, augmented reality-enabled interactive content.
The 5G technology will act as the foundation for large-scale internet of things (IoT) applications for e-government building.
A report released in 2017 said that the impact of digital transformation in the Asia-Pacific region was an increase of about 6% in its GDP. The figure is expected to be 25% this year and 60% by 2021.
Research shows that digital transformation also increased labour productivity by 15% in 2017, which is expected to be 21% by 2020.
Last year, the country’s e-government development index ranked 88th out of 193 countries, of which the online public services index jumped 10 places to rank 59th out of 193 countries in comparison to 2016.
The Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) recently announced it has required network operators to upgrade mobile number portability rates to 80%.
Statistics from the MIC showed that the number of successful network transfers from the beginning to the end of the third quarter of this year reached 77.3%.
Among the carriers, Vietnamobile has not been able to raise the successful network transfer rate following the direction of the Ministry of Information and Communications to over 70%. Its current rate is 60%.
The Vietnam Telecommunications Authority (VNTA) has asked network operators to continue improving the network transfer process as well as circular amendments guiding the deployment of network switching services to create maximum ease for users.
The VNTA is a ministerial unit that performs the advisory and regulatory functions over the telecommunications sectors nationwide.


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The prospective economic, social, and technological benefits of transforming Singapore into an open and trustworthy global artificial intelligence (AI) hub are substantial. It can place the nation at the vanguard of AI innovation and enable it to shape the future of this transformative technology.
The Ministry of Communications and Information (MCI) and a major technology firm announced their intention to work together to strengthen Singapore’s AI national vision and strategy. This strategic partnership may support the adoption and development of innovative, responsible, and inclusive AI technologies to maximise opportunities arising in Singapore and the region.
Director of the Digital Economy Office at MCI, Andrea Phua, stated that they welcome the opportunity to collaborate with the tech giant as they develop their plans to support the growth of the digital economy and realise the benefits that AI brings to individuals and businesses in a safe and responsible manner.
Singapore’s technology ecosystem has access to next-generation AI infrastructure, industry-leading GPU hardware, the Vertex AI platform, and AI-managed services and tools to implement AI at scale.
The partnership will seek to::
- Accelerate the development of home-grown AI technologies: A marketplace for developers and businesses to access the best of AI solutions and foundation models, allowing them to build conversational AI, enterprise search, and other capabilities;
- Build a sustainable pipeline of talent for the future AI economy: Skill-building initiatives to strengthen AI capabilities and competencies, including possible assistance for eligible startups to leverage an open AI ecosystem;
- Supercharge the adoption of cloud AI technologies in Singapore: Development of incubators and accelerators that encourage developers, entrepreneurs, and companies to innovate with generative AI (Gen AI) technologies; and
- Root Singapore’s AI progress in Responsible AI: Possible collaboration in AI governance and Responsible AI principles implementation.
By becoming a global AI centre, Singapore can attract world-class talent, researchers, and businesses. This promotes collaboration and the exchange of knowledge, resulting in innovation and the creation of cutting-edge AI technologies.
Several industries, including healthcare, finance, transportation, and manufacturing, will be transformed by AI. By positioning itself as a global AI hub, Singapore can attract investments, foster local startups, and generate high-paying employment, thereby fostering economic growth and prosperity.
Singapore has the potential to become a centre for AI education and talent development. By providing high-quality training programmes, seminars, and research opportunities, the nation can produce a workforce with AI expertise. This can satisfy the increasing demand for AI professionals and alleviate the talent shortage in this field.
Singapore, as a global AI centre, can serve as a testing ground for AI-based solutions and applications. The nation’s well-developed infrastructure, supportive regulatory environment, and diverse population make it an ideal location for the deployment and development of AI technologies. This enables businesses to validate their products, gain real-world insights, and iterate their solutions.
Through initiatives such as the Model AI Governance Framework, Singapore has demonstrated a commitment to ethics and trust in AI. Singapore can influence and define international standards for responsible AI development and deployment if it continues to develop as a global AI hub. This contributes to the development of AI technologies that respect privacy, impartiality, and transparency.
Singapore, as an open and trusted global AI centre, has the potential to become a regional leader in AI. This can entice regional enterprises and organisations to cooperate with Singaporean partners, resulting in a thriving Southeast Asian AI ecosystem. Singapore’s AI leadership may also assist drive regional initiatives, boost information sharing, and improve the region’s overall capabilities.
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The Union Cabinet led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme 2.0 for IT Hardware for Enhancing India’s Manufacturing Capabilities and Enhancing Exports under the Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) scheme.
The notification for the scheme was on 29 May and the window for applications under the PLI Scheme 2.0 for IT Hardware opened on 1 June. The scheme will extend an average incentive of around 5% on net incremental sales (over a base year) of goods manufactured in India and covered under the target segment, to eligible companies, for six years. The scheme aims to facilitate large-scale manufacturing in laptops, tablets, all-in-one PCs, servers, and ultra-small form factor (USFF) devices. It is expected to make a substantial contribution towards achieving an electronics manufacturing turnover of approximately US$ 300 billion by 2025-26.
The PLI Scheme 2.0 for IT Hardware is expected to contribute to the expansion and strengthening of the manufacturing ecosystem by promoting the localisation of components and sub-assemblies. Moreover, the scheme allows for a longer timeframe to develop the domestic supply chain, fostering its growth within the country.
The scheme offers enhanced flexibility and choices for applicants, and it is linked to incremental sales and investment thresholds, providing further incentives for growth. Additionally, semiconductor design, IC manufacturing, and packaging are also included as incentivised components of the PLI Scheme 2.0 for IT Hardware.
The PLI Scheme 2.0 for IT Hardware has been approved with a budgetary allocation of IN 17,000 crores (approximately US$ 2 billion), more than doubling the budget for the scheme that was first cleared in 2021 to incentivise and promote domestic manufacturing by attracting large investments in the value chain. It will be implemented from 1 July with a cap on maximum incentives available to participating companies. The scheme is expected to lead to a total production of about IN 3.35 trillion (US$ 40 billion), bring an additional investment of IN 24.3 billion (US$ 284 million) in electronics manufacturing, and will lead to the generation of 75,000 additional direct jobs.
Applicants who have already been approved under the existing PLI Scheme will have the opportunity to apply for the PLI 2.0 scheme as well. The scheme categorises applicants into three categories: global companies, hybrid companies (a combination of global and domestic companies), and domestic companies.
The Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Electronics and IT, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, delivered a keynote address at a Digital India Dialogues session in Bengaluru on the scheme. The event witnessed the participation of various stakeholders from the technology ecosystem, including industry experts, representatives from industry associations, and startups.
The PLI scheme aims to enhance the competitiveness of Indian manufacturers by attracting investments in cutting-edge technology, fostering efficiencies and economies of scale, and promoting exports. In November 2020, the government set up PLIs for 10 sectors, which included the manufacturing of High-Efficiency Solar PV Modules and Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) Battery.
In September 2021, additional amounts were allocated under the scheme, particularly for the automobile industry. The focus was specifically on incentivising the manufacturing of electric and hydrogen-based vehicles. The policy also has a digitalisation component and seeks to enhance the production of electronic products within India.
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The Asia-Pacific region has become a centre of 5G innovations, with China and South Korea leading as global pioneers in 5G technology. Thailand’s 5G progress has greatly benefited from the well-established 5G ecosystem in the region.
Chula Unisearch and a technology company in Thailand have partnered to launch a research project called “Exploring 5G Technology on the 6 GHz Band.” Led by the Department of Electrical Engineering at Chulalongkorn University, the study aims to investigate the real-world applications of 5G technology in the 6 GHz frequency range.
By investigating the use of 5G technology on the 6 GHz band, the research aims to shed light on its feasibility and potential in enhancing wireless communication systems. The study involves an examination of the technical aspects, performance metrics, and data transmission capabilities of the 6 GHz band. This endeavour provides valuable insights into the practical implications and benefits of deploying 5G technology within this frequency range.
Moreover, through this research initiative, Chula Unisearch and its partners aim to contribute to the broader scientific community by generating new knowledge and empirical data on utilising the 6 GHz band for 5G applications. The study’s outcomes can inform policy decisions, shape future technology standards, and pave the way for a more efficient and seamless 5G network infrastructure.
The research team conducted a comprehensive field test encompassing Outdoor to Outdoor (O2O) and Outdoor to Indoor (O2I) scenarios. The trial’s primary focus was to analyse and understand the behaviour and characteristics of the International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) 6 GHz band and evaluate the quality of IMT data transmission. These tests were conducted in collaboration with various agencies in the Chula Sandbox area.
The study outcomes were highly satisfactory, particularly regarding outdoor usage (O2O), where a download speed exceeding 1Gbps was achieved, covering approximately 72% of the test area. It is important to note that the bandwidth used for testing was set at 80Mbps.
Additionally, even for indoor scenarios (O2I), the average download speed reached 550Mbps. These findings indicate that the 6 GHz band has the potential to support mobile services utilising 5G technology and upcoming advancements such as 5.5G.
Overall, the project is a significant milestone in exploring 5G technology and its practical implementation in Thailand. By leveraging the expertise of academic institutions, research organisations, and industry leaders, this collaborative effort strives to unlock the full potential of 5G technology and its transformative impact on various sectors, ranging from telecommunications to smart cities and beyond. The 5G networks are expected to drive the transformation towards Thailand 4.0 and provide additional advantages for the country’s economic and social progress.
The collaboration signifies a concerted effort to advance the understanding and implementation of 5G technology in Thailand. The project aligns with the country’s commitment to embracing cutting-edge technologies and exploring innovative solutions for enhanced connectivity and communication.
Thailand aspires to become a leading digital hub in Southeast Asia, with Prime Minister Prayut emphasising the importance of collaboration between the public and private sectors in driving the commercial development of 5G technology across all industries in the country.
The government has taken proactive steps towards promoting the adoption of 5G technology through the development of an Action Plan. Phase 1 in this plan focuses on driving economic and social development by prioritising key sectors such as industry, transportation and logistics, agriculture, tourism, finance, wholesale and retail, public health, education, and smart cities. These strategic policies aim to foster a favourable environment that encourages the growth of 5G businesses in Thailand.
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To accomplish modernisation in the Chinese style, the 20th National Congress of China emphasised the significance of developing new growth engines and establishing a digital industrial cluster. Cloud computing has emerged as an essential technical foundation for the digital economy, fostering innovation and reshaping the global competitive landscape.
As a prominent authority in domestic cloud computing, Trusted Cloud has played a crucial role in the development of China’s cloud computing industry. The 2023 Trusted Cloud Best Practice Collection Activity was launched by the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT) and the Cloud Computing Open-Source Industry Alliance to further promote technological innovation and improve industry service levels.
The Trusted Cloud Best Practice Collection Activity invites service providers and user companies who have undergone or are undertaking the Trusted Cloud evaluation to participate. Up to four options can be submitted by companies in various categories, divided into technology best practices, industry service best practices, and user case best practices. This all-encompassing strategy promotes innovation, knowledge exchange, and collaboration in the cloud computing industry.
The activity’s technology best practices are geared toward improving cloud services offered by service providers. It includes six categories: fundamental services, cloud-native solutions, hybrid and private clouds, software engineering, cloud management and optimisation, and security.
By emphasising best practices in these areas, Trusted Cloud intends to foster continuous improvement and provide cloud computing solutions that are dependable and secure.
Trusted Cloud also puts best practices for industry services at the top of its list. It focuses on cloud service providers in areas like government affairs, banking, transportation, energy, industry, automobiles, new retail, agriculture, entertainment, and education.
By making solutions fit the needs of certain industries, Trusted Cloud makes it possible for service providers to offer efficient cloud services that meet the specific needs of each field.
The user case best practice area shows how cloud computing has been used successfully in the past. For a cloud computing service or product to qualify, at least one of them must pass the Trusted Cloud Evaluation.
This requirement makes sure that the use cases that are shown off meet the highest standards of trustworthiness, security, and speed. This encourages others to use cloud computing technologies in the same way.
The applicant units are responsible for making sure that their application materials are real and correct. If they give false information, they will be disqualified and face other penalties. The application materials should be filled out exactly as the sponsor’s template says to, with no mistakes or gaps. Writing the materials in an official and standard way makes them clearer and more professional.
The Trusted Cloud Best Practice Collection Activity is a place for China to try new things with cloud computing. It helps Chinese-style modernisation move forward by encouraging people to work together, spreading best practices, and showing successful use cases.
The CAICT and the Cloud Computing Open-Source Industry Alliance have the final say on how this activity should be interpreted. This highlights the importance of the Trusted Cloud as a driving force in shaping the future of the cloud computing industry.
Innovation in cloud computing is essential for Chinese-style modernisation. It drives digital transformation, boosts economic growth, increases global competitiveness, facilitates technological advancements, improves government services, bolsters resilience and security, supports sustainable development, and fosters collaboration.
China can unleash the full potential of the digital age and create a prosperous, inclusive, and technologically advanced society by prioritising cloud computing innovation.
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Through a series of newly issued regulations and access to the national population database, banks are preparing to enhance their online money-lending services. According to Deputy Governor Pham Tien Dung of the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV), the utilisation of the national population database will enable banks to conveniently verify and authenticate the information of new customers, streamlining the process.
Commercial banks will promote lending services on their electronic platforms based on this database. The proposed amendments to the Law on Credit Institutions contain numerous regulations that specifically address banking services conducted through electronic devices.
For quite some time, many banks have been providing online lending services, primarily for small loans. However, the legal status of this lending model has not been explicitly defined in the law. As a result, banks have been engaging in online lending with concerns that the lending contracts may be deemed invalid in the event of a legal dispute.
Furthermore, banks have been hesitant to promote online lending due to the presence of a significant volume of junk data and virtual accounts. With the establishment of the national population database, the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) has collaborated with the Ministry of Public Security to authenticate 25 million customers in the credit information database. SBV aims to verify the remaining 26 million customers within the coming months.
Possessing such a vast pool of clean customer data presents banks with a valuable opportunity to promote digital services and products, particularly online lending. Granting banks access to the population database, coupled with the establishment of a comprehensive legal framework for digital banking, represents a significant opportunity for the banking industry to experience robust growth in the future. A well-defined legal framework and a reliable database serve as the fundamental pillars for enabling all banks to operate effectively within the digital landscape.
Previously, banks exercised caution in engaging in online lending due to the presence of unverified and unreliable information within the customer database. Another problem is the automatic credit appraisal and approval due to data limitations and unclear legal basis. Furthermore, the lack of comprehensive customer information posed difficulties in effectively collecting debts.
Accessing the national population database and implementing an automated appraisal and approval mechanism allow state-owned joint-stock commercial banks to address these issues. It enables individuals to conveniently obtain online banking loans at reasonable interest rates.
The traditional lending process involved multiple steps and consumed significant time and human resources. However, with the extensive customer data available to banks and the national population database, there is a hope to enhance the speed of loan processing procedures and strengthen risk management measures. This advancement allows for more efficient lending operations, reducing delays and streamlining the overall process.
Several banks have coordinated with the Police Department for Administrative Management of Social Order (C06) under the Ministry of Public Security to start testing a citizen credit scoring system based on population data. As an initial step, banks intend to offer unsecured loans for small amounts using the citizen credit scoring system. This approach will promote the retail lending of the banks.
To ensure a seamless integration between the banking system, VNeID (the electronic identification application), and the citizen credit scoring system, it is crucial for the Ministry of Public Security to promptly update the population data. State management agencies must also adjust relevant legal provisions to create favourable conditions for providing loans in the digital environment.
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President Joko Widodo, as highlighted by the Minister of Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform (PANRB), has placed significant emphasis on the comprehensive digitalization of public services, evident in his signing of the Presidential Regulation on the Architecture of Electronic-Based Government Systems (SPBE) in December 2022, where the Ministry of Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform plays a coordinating role.
This year, Abdullah Azwar Anas, the Minister of Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform, reiterated the President’s focus in 2022, stating, “Digital transformation will bring a better digital future for the Indonesian government. The services received by the public will also be fast and accurate.”
With digitalisation, people can access public services online through various devices such as computers, smartphones, or tablets. It allows people to utilise services without being limited by time or geographical location. Furthermore, through digitalisation, it is possible to reduce operational costs in managing and delivering public services. The use of digital technology enables a reduction in physical needs such as paper, printing, and logistics, which has the potential to save government budgets.
Furthermore, to create responsive public services, Anas invites all local governments, particularly Bali, along with other stakeholders, to collectively strengthen the digitalisation of public services. Local governments can learn from various public policies implemented in developed countries, including Singapore, Denmark, South Korea or the United Kingdom (UK).
In enhancing digital-based public services, Anas highly encourages local governments in Indonesia to learn from the United Kingdom’s experience in digitalising public services. He specifically selects the UK because it has pioneered the Electronic Government Architecture (SPBE) since 2005 and has ranked highly in the e-Government Development Index by the United Nations.
Anas has signed a Letter of Intent with one of the government consultant NGOs to share experiences and knowledge in transforming digital-based public services. “We need to reflect on the challenges they face and the solutions they have presented, which can serve as lessons for us,” he said.
The digitalisation of public services has become a significant concern faced by the Indonesian government this year. Previously, the Indonesian government went to Balikpapan to strengthen public policy delivery to prepare for the capital relocation to IKN (Indonesia’s New Capital). The government will integrate their services in the future, allowing users to access all government digital platforms through a single sign-in conveniently.
Additionally, Anas launched the Central Lampung District Public Service Mall before he visited Balikpapan. The facility has become the 111th MPP in the country to be opened and is now open to the public. The Central Lampung MPP has 161 different services provided by 12 Central Lampung Regency Government entities and 17 vertical/external organisations.
Currently, the government is designing the National Digital Service Integration policy by establishing nine priority digital services, including education, healthcare, social assistance, population administration, integrated state financial transactions for payment gateways, integrated civil service services, public service portal, and One Data Indonesia. These efforts are aimed at enhancing public transparency.
With the adoption of digitalisation, the public can access information regarding public services and government policies, creating greater transparency in decision-making and providing opportunities for public participation in policy-making processes.
Digitalisation drives the government to seek new and innovative solutions in delivering public services. Adopting new technologies such as artificial intelligence, data analytics, and automation can enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of public services. Anas believes that the success of digital transformation and government administration relies on digital leadership to oversee change and rapid utilisation of technology.
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Dr Tan See Leng, Minister for Manpower and Second Minister for Trade and Industry launched the Jobs Transformation Map (JTM) for Retail as a guiding resource to help retail companies plan and ensure that their workforce is equipped with the necessary skill sets to meet evolving business needs.
Following the release of the Retail Industry Transformation Map (ITM) 2025 in October last year, Enterprise Singapore (ESG) and Workforce Singapore (WSG) collaborated with the Ministry of Manpower to create the JTM, which was supported by SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG).
Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF), in collaboration with the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), has been designated as a programme partner for the Jobs Skills Integrator for Retail (JSIT-R).
The JSIT-R is a dedicated intermediary that offers retailers end-to-end solutions for workforce transformation, staff training, and job matching services. When engaging with retailers, the JSIT-R will consult the JTM.
Retail trade associations and chambers (TACs) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with SNEF and NTUC to demonstrate their support for the JSIT-R and the implementation of the JTM. TACs are committed to reaching out to and collaborating with over 1,100 member companies and other retailers to accelerate employment transformation for their workforce of about 94,000 employees.
To ensure that the Retail sector can continue to attract and retain talent while also creating quality jobs, a study was conducted to identify future industry trends as well as anticipate how future job roles and required skill sets must change to create new opportunities and meet evolving business needs.
Four major trends and opportunities have been identified:
- Shifts in consumer needs as a result of changes in lifestyle, preferences, and awareness;
- Emergence of new retail models (e.g., omnichannel, customer-centric retail experience, and innovative business model) that enable enhanced brand and shopping experiences;
- Using data analytics and improvements in retail technology to increase productivity and efficiency;
- Create a resilient and agile supply chain to improve inventory management and enable more fulfilling alternatives in an increasingly complicated and turbulent supply chain environment.
The JTM analysis highlighted existing work roles that are likely to change somewhat or significantly, such as sales associates and store managers. Changes such as new technology and shifting consumer needs will transform these jobs.
A fundamental recommendation in the JTM report for adapting to these trends and technology improvements is to transform the workforce through human capital development programmes that include training, job redesign, and skills-based career progression pathways.
Such efforts would allow employees to focus on more value-added work and plan their evolution, which would help the growth of businesses.
Some emerging job roles include Sustainability Specialist, Product Innovator, Customer Experience Manager, Customer Intelligence Analyst, Omni-channel Manager, Digital Marketer, Digital Transformation Manager, UI/UX Designer and Full Stack Developer.
Further, retailers can stay competitive in a continuously changing industry by utilising data analytics and developments in retail technology. It helps them to provide personalised experiences, optimise operations, and boost customer satisfaction, resulting in higher profitability and long-term success.
The utilisation of data analytics and improvements in retail technology is critical for merchants looking to increase productivity and efficiency. Retailers can obtain important insights into customer behaviour, preferences, and market trends by leveraging the power of data analytics.
This data enables them to make data-driven decisions, improve inventory management, personalise marketing efforts, and improve overall operational efficiency.