The role of eSIM in capitalising on Southeast Asia’s mobile opportunity
22 July 2025
Gregory Gundelfinger, CEO, Telna
Mobile network operators (MNOs) in Southeast Asia have significant opportunities as mobile usage continues to grow rapidly. According to Ericsson, data traffic per smartphone user in the region is expected to reach 42GB per month by 2029, representing an increase of 147% from 2023.
This growth is primarily driven by the availability of more affordable 5G devices, promotional plans, discounts, and large data bundles. Additionally, the share of 5G mobile subscriptions is projected to rise to 43% of all mobile subscriptions in the region by the end of 2029, up from 20% in 2023.
Find out moreU Mobile and Melaka ICT Holdings to accelerate 5G rollout in Malacca
21 July 2025
Malaysian telco and second licensed 5G provider U Mobile announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with state-owned Melaka ICT Holdings (MICTH) to advance the deployment of its 5G network across Malacca.
Under this agreement, MICTH will grant U Mobile access to its tower and site infrastructure within the state, along with comprehensive support to streamline and expedite site installations. Both parties will collaborate to develop an efficient process for deploying 5G infrastructure, aiming to enable faster and wider coverage expansion throughout Malacca.
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NEC signs deal to build intra-Asia subsea cable system
18 July 2025
NEC has secured a contract with a consortium led by Singtel to develop the Asia United Gateway East (AUG East), a new high-capacity subsea cable system linking Singapore and Japan with Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, South Korea, and Taiwan.
Stretching approximately 8,900km, AUG East aims to meet rising demand for bandwidth across the region while enhancing network resilience. The consortium includes major industry players such as Amazon Web Services, Microsoft, Arteria Networks, Chunghwa Telecom, Dreamline, Globe Telecom, Telekom Malaysia, and Unified National Networks.
Find out more SES completes strategic acquisition of Intelsat
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17 July 2025
SES has announced the successful completion of its transformative acquisition of Intelsat, resulting in a stronger, more versatile satellite operator boasting a combined fleet of 120 satellites across multiple orbits.
This new entity is positioned to deliver integrated, multi-orbit, multi-band connectivity solutions to governments and businesses worldwide, with approximately 60% of revenue coming from high-growth market segments.
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