New models for tower power and management
10 April 2024
James Gray, director of telecom strategy, PowerX
Towercos have long been the enabler of rural coverage and connectivity expansion in Southeast Asia (SEA). But as digitalisation of the region continues to boom - with strong consumer and commercial adoption driving data demand - rapid urbanisation and next-generation technology uptake is putting pressure on mobile operators to increase points of presence (PoPs) and deliver 5G.
Operators are now looking increasingly to towercos to provide efficient, reliable and low-cost urban co-locations in growing urban environments. These challenges are compounded by the increased complexity of tower management, driven by rising numbers of tower tenants (lease-up rate, LUR) and uptake of Open RAN. Highly integrated use of facilities means future towercos of SEA need to be collaborative and intelligent - and make a paradigm shift in their approach to asset management. A new model for tower power management and operations is needed, one rooted in real-time insights from data science and machine learning.
Read the full article The rise of diverse mobile networks
08 April 2024
Sanjeev Verma, CEO, Squire Technologies
Mobile networks will become increasingly complicated as operators invest in standalone 5G (SA5G), despite switching off 2G and 3G. Without signalling interworking between 4G and various 5G types, network management will be challenging, and consumers will experience poor connections, jeopardising profits.
In GSMA’s ‘Network Slicing Use Cases Requirements’ report, experts state: “…the requirements of verticals are many and diverse, and operators would need to manage a high level of risk in the complexity of their service offering and cumbersome management, driving up costs.”
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Accelerating the digital transformation of APAC through satellite connectivity
08 April 2024
Satellite technology is not strictly a new communications tool. Major Asian nations have long used satellite solutions to deliver traditional telecoms and broadcasting services, albeit on a narrow scale. However, recent leaps in innovation have enabled new use cases that could bring the benefits of satellites to a wider population.
Increased reliance on satellite technology can improve the state of connectivity in the region. The latest data from the International Telecommunications Union shows that a third of the Asia Pacific population remains offline, highlighting how substantial this effect could be. The divide is even greater between urban and rural areas, with only half of the latter’s population currently able to access the internet. The rollout of new-generation satellite systems is expected to help address this, given their adaptability and cost-effectiveness. As an Asian Development Bank study points out, the boom of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellations has tremendous potential to positively impact developing countries in the region as high-speed and high-quality internet connectivity becomes a reality.
Read the full article TETRA, a resilient force shaping critical communication in Asia
08 April 2024
TCCA’s TETRA Industry Group, chaired by TCCA Board member
Francesco Pasquali
TETRA (Terrestrial Trunked Radio) stands as the unwavering technology of choice for critical communication. With a rich history marked by unparalleled reliability and adaptability, TETRA has not only become known for its excellence but has also evolved into a cornerstone supporting the region’s private radio networks.
It is a testament to TETRA’s continuous commitment to delivering innovative solutions that anticipate and address the needs of a variety of industries which has solidified its enduring dominance.
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