realme will Launch its First Coca-Cola® Edition Smartphone, realme 10 Pro 5G Coca-Cola Edition on February 10th

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) The world’s fastest growing smartphone brand, realme, announced its collaboration with Coca-Cola® and introduced its first Coca-Cola edition smartphone, the realme 10 Pro 5G Coca-Cola Edition, which will be launched on February 10th, 2023.

This customized edition of the smartphone features Coca-Cola’s classic design elements with a Red&Black collision. The 70/30 asymmetrical back design highlights the Coca-Cola logo with three points of black and seven points of red, making the classic logo instantly recognizable. Coke® red gives a positive, youthful, and energetic feeling. With a bold twist to a classic logo, the cropped Coca-Cola logo brings a new energy to the smartphone experience. The matte imitation metal process provides the elegant touch of brushed aluminum while remaining resistant to scratches and fingerprints.

In terms of configuration, realme 10 Pro 5G Coca-Cola Edition features the segment-leading Snapdragon 695 5G processor, a 5000mAh massive battery, and realme UI 4.0 out of the box. Moreover, it also provides 8GB+8GB dynamic RAM and up to 1TB of external memory, so consumers can hold on to more memories.

realme 10 Pro 5G Coca-Cola Edition will start free bookings on realme’s official website. With 6,000 limited units to be booked on February 3rd,  consumers will gain a customized and unique limited number card. Come and be the special one.

*Please note, realme 10 Pro 5G Coca-Cola Edition is only available in designated markets*.

Introducing YourChamp – A Microsite to Unleash Your Social Brand!

Pakistan (Muhammad Yasir)

Since its launch, Social Champ has been aiming to revolutionize the Martech industry. The Pakistani SaaS startup has now launched a disruptive tool, “Yourchamp“. On January 12th, 2023, the company announced their all-new marketing platform, YourChamp. It is a one-stop solution to bring together your cumulative reach from all social media accounts.

With every digital innovation, data is also increasing exponentially. Marketing has a unique duty to embrace its role as a facilitator of meaningful experiences and a driver of value exchanges between brands and people. Business and Martech startups like Social Champ aim to add this value to the industry.

YourChamp is a one-of-a-kind platform. When agencies and individual public figures use this platform, they can easily find each other using the said link. It would display users’ social presence, the account where they are most active, their highest following, their niche, and their other social profiles.

Speaking on the launch of YourChamp, the company’s founder, Sameer Ahmed, said, “Today’s marketing has evolved, and Pakistani brands are embarking on digital journeys that will help them provide accurate and real-time data that will aid them in fulfilling their KPIs. Brands have realized that digital is the future. This tool introduced will eventually be disruptive for Martechs, media agencies and social media managers.”

By 2023, marketing professionals will be looking for methods to modernize their tactics, prioritize real and purposeful experiences, and explore new frontiers while adjusting to current disruptions and keeping an eye on the not-so-distant future.

Using YourChamp, users can connect their social media accounts to their e-commerce store links and even link their Spotify playlists for the world to share. Apart from this, the platform supports the leaderboard concept, which means that their fans & followers can upvote to establish them as an authority in the niche.

For the Martech industry, marketers must always be creative with their operations and strategies. The company focuses on the hyper-personalization and adoption of new-age technology.

In November, Social Champ was the only martech startup from Pakistan that attended the “Startup Showcase” under the theme “Future of advertising and marketing” in Lisbon, Portugal. They are also regulars at events like Techstars Toronto.

realme C35 – A Design Aesthetic That Takes Your Breath Away

The Glowing Silk Design is back! Capturing the minds of people just the way it did at its launch. The realme C35 is restocked with a unique upgrade that extends its memory to 4GB. This means people who were looking for a phone to flaunt with a flair for performance should look no further. realme C35 comes with a flat rim, shiny glass effect rear, round-edged corners and so much more to hype.

 

Modeled after silk, the realme C35 has a premium look and feel to it. The budget handset aims to provide a sense of luxury you might associate with silk woven clothing. Its aesthetic is similar to phones in a higher price bracket, being clean, simple, yet attractive. Silk was regarded as a symbol of wealth and status in ancient Chinese society. With the realme C35 you can look expensive without having to spend luxuriously.

While it is not commonly known, silk is among the strongest textiles on the planet, having unbelievable tensile strength and elasticity. This has inspired the highly durable design of the realme C35. Undergoing rigorous testing by TUV Rheinland, the realme C35 has proven that it can endure falls, scratches, and that its components are reliable, earning it a TUV Rheinland High Reliability Certification. The endurance of silk has also inspired the long-lasting 5000mAh battery found in the realme C35. Like silk, the realme C35 is smooth to the touch and shimmers in the light. The realme C35 is ultra-thin, having a thickness of only 8.1mm, making it thinner than most of its competitors. This is symbolic of silk which is also a thin, smooth material. The silky smooth experience also extends to the smartphone’s display as it features a 16.7cm (6.6”) FHD Fullscreen that can provide a resolution of up to 2408×1080 so you can see richer details.

The realme C35 really helps you stand out from the crowd in the best way possible. Apart from all the eye-catching features already discussed, the realme C35 comes equipped with a powerful 50MP AI Triple Camera so you can capture the best images while you look your best. Silk’s history of being kept away from the world because of its value only to be shared with the world at a later stage also mirrors realme’s efforts with democratizing technology over the years which was first locked into more premium segments. realme believes that luxury shouldn’t be hidden behind a steep price tag and that luxury is a feeling everyone deserves.

Strengthened Ericsson Private Network portfolio leads the market in solution choice

  • New CradlepointNetCloud Private Networks solution – tailored to the needs of dynamic enterprise IT environments – added to Ericsson Private Networks offerings as a complement to Ericsson Private 5G.
  • Solution addition strengthens Ericsson’s leadership position in offering the broadest private network portfolio for enterprises and industries of all sizes and sectors.
  • Portfolio enhancement is a proof point of the successful integration of Cradlepoint into Ericsson.

A broad range of enterprises and industries are set to benefit from a significant expansion in the Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) Private Network portfolio with the addition of a new IT-focused offering from the Ericsson subsidiary, Cradlepoint.

Called NetCloud Private Networks, the software-defined solution is a complete subscription-based offering with an initial focus on traditionally lean IT-oriented enterprises, including the logistics, light manufacturing, government, large retail, healthcare and hospitality sectors.

NetCloud Private Networks is available from January 11, 2023, initially targeting the United States’ market via CBRS spectrum.

The addition of NetCloud Private Networks means that Ericsson has the most comprehensive Private Network portfolio in the industry as enterprises and industries worldwide embrace digitalization and the fourth industrial revolution.

Will Townsend, a Senior Analyst for Carrier and Enterprise Networking at technology analyst company Moor Insights, says: “Whether you’re a company deploying a private cellular network or a communications service provider reselling a private network solution, having a vendor that can address a broad set of use cases is paramount. Ericsson is focused on creating a broad portfolio of private network solutions that address the diverse needs of IT and OT buyers – addressing simple to more complex environments.”

George Mulhern, Senior Vice President and Head of Business Area Enterprise Wireless Solutions, Ericsson, and CEO of Cradlepoint, says: “This new launch from Cradlepoint, and its addition to the Ericsson Private Networks portfolio, is another milestone in the successful integration of Cradlepoint into Ericsson. Ericsson has strengthened its leadership position in offering private cellular network solutions that address multiple use cases in enterprises of any size, and across many industries. Customers will benefit from our breadth of capabilities as they pursue wireless-driven digitalization and next-generation connectivity innovation.”

He adds, “NetCloud Private Networks is specifically focused on the unique requirements of IT organizations looking for a software-defined solution that leverages their network investments, brings enterprise-class security, enables plug-n-play deployments, and is simple to manage.”

With the addition of NetCloud Private Networks, the Ericsson Private Network portfolio now consists of:

 

  • Cradlepoint Private Network Endpoints: Cradlepoint provides a comprehensive selection of private network-compatible cellular endpoints that allow enterprises to connect devices to any 4G or 5G network, including Ericsson Private Network solutions.
  • Ecosystem Partners: Ericsson and Cradlepoint have a dynamic ecosystem with easy-to-integrate solutions that facilitate digitalization, such as devices to connect and automate operations, sensors for data capture and analytics, and smart tools to augment the workforce to become more productive – purpose-built for industry verticals.

International Data Corporation (IDC) research forecasts the worldwide private LTE/5G market to top USD 8.3 billion in revenue in 2026 – with a five-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 35.7 percent across 2022-2026.

Such predicted growth will be driven by innovation shifts across enterprises and industries. Private mobile network solutions enable companies to easily enhance existing applications and introduce new augmented reality/virtual reality (AR/VR)-enhanced, security-dependent, and low latency applications.

PUBG MOBILE National Championship Witnesses The Rise Of New National Champions

Pakistan (Muhammad Yasir) PUBG MOBILE, the country’s No. 1 gaming platform, concluded its PMNC Grand Finale at the Lahore Expo Center. The month-long event began with thousands of teams registering and competing online, it narrowed down to 16 lucky teams that beat their counterparts to qualify. The 16 finalists then battled in Lahore at a 2-day event competing for a shared prize of PKR 6.8 million and the title of national champions of 2022.

After two days of breathtaking action and 10 games, team X Generation took the lead with their power-packed game followed by the runner up team 7EQR x Rage Esport that took home PKR1.3 million and 52 Esports as the second runner up team that took home PKR795 thousand.

This is the first time that PUBGM executed an onground tournament of this level for non-professional esports enthusiasts in Pakistan who want to showcase their repertoire of exceptional gaming skills and win a chance to play alongside professional esport athletes in the country. The gaming soiree was attended by the top pro-teams including Team Bablu and Team Star who played show-matches with local gaming influencers including the esports icon Arslan Ash, Star Anonymous, BABA OP and Crypto among others. This also gave the top teams a chance to witness their strong competitors in all their glory for the battles coming next year. To celebrate the young gamers in the country, Farhan Saeed graced the event with his energetic presence and proved to be a massive crowd-puller as the audience grooved to his vocals.

The best performing teams from this open-registration PMNC Pakistan, and the top Pakistani teams from PMCO this year, together with the relegated teams in PMPL Pakistan and the top 8 teams from this PMNC Pakistan Finale will also be a part of the 2023 PUBG MOBILE Pro League Pakistan to kickstart a new career as professional esports players.

Speaking at the occasion, Khawar Naeem, Country Head-Pakistan at Tencent Games shared, “When it comes to talent, Pakistani athletes never stop to amaze you. PUBG MOBILE has been at the forefront of nurturing talent and PMNC 2022 was a chance for amateur talent to showcase their skills playing the nation’s favorite mobile Game. PUBG MOBILE is enabling young esports talent in finding their passion for gaming. The top teams from PMNC, PMPL and PMCO are now gearing up to play in the PMPL 2023 and I wish them good luck!”

The 16 teams that participated in the event are:

  1. X Generation
  2. 7EQR x Rage Esport
  3. 52 Esports
  4. Pyro Esports
  5. Hell Raisers
  6. Team Negative
  7. 3X Esports
  8. Team Faulty Devils
  9. The Angry Gamers

10.R3d Esports

11.Road To Glory

12.TMW Esports

13.Galaxy Esports

14.69 Esports

15.Myth Esports

16.Hashtag Esports

The biggest twist of the championship came when the previously demoted (from PMPL 2022) teams X Generation, 7EQR x Rage Esport, 52 Esports and Pyro Esports made their way to not just the top spots this season at PMNC but also secured themselves a ticket to 2023 PMPL Pakistan. Among the teams competing, 52 Esports was once the Champion team of PMPL Pakistan Spring, and was also the only team from Pakistan that qualified for PUBG MOBILE World Invitational. Last year, Team Bablu won the Champion title of PMNC Pakistan proving their mettle and building an audience for themselves.

The popularity of PUBG MOBILE Esports has seen rapid growth in the last 5 years. The gaming platform recently won an award for the Esports Mobile Game of the Year at the Esports Awards 2022 that were held in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The teams participating showed immense potential during the games proving the nation’s love for PUBGM. With PMNC, PUBGM Pakistan is fostering a new generation of young gamers by providing them with the needed resources and mentoring to help them take the gaming and esports industry in Pakistan to new frontiers.

Pakistani talents secure second place at the regional finale of Huawei ICT Competition Middle East 2022

Winners excelled from over 19,300 participants from the Middle East and Central Asia.

The Jordan Team won first place and a $20,000 cash prize, second place went to one team from Pakistan and one team from Iraq, while the teams from UAE, Bahrain and Kazakhstan won third place.

Pakistan (Muhammad Yasir) The winners of the Huawei ICT Competition Middle East 2022, Huawei’s flagship longstanding competition, have now been announced at a closing ceremony that took place on December 22 in Muscat, Oman. The Pakistani Team 1, comprising Muhammad Ali and Asad Anwer from Mehran University of Engineering and Technology Jamshoro and Eman Yaqoob from Lahore College for Women University, secured second place following several months of national and regional competitions between some of the region’s brightest young minds and leading academic institutions. This year’s competition saw 15 teams of the brightest young tech talents compete together, shortlisted originally from 19,300 participants representing 472 universities and 11 countries across the Middle East and Central Asia. This year, the Jordan team comprising students Hamzah Al-Zubaidi and Aws Al-Rayya from Princess Sumaya University for Technology and Yazan Al Shannik from Yarmouk University won the first prize of $20,000. The second place went to Pakistan Team 1 in addition to Iraq Team 1, comprising Sadeem Moulood from Ninevah University, Mohammed Shakr from Salahaddin University and Mohammed Hussein from University of Anbar. The third prize went to the UAE Team comprising Eyasu Araya and Smon Ftwi from Higher Colleges of Technology and Meriem Aoudia from University of Sharjah, the Bahrain Team comprising Dana Kamal, Husain Hasan and Joud Ebrahim from Bahrain Polytechnic, and the Kazakhstan Team comprising Nikolay Zhilaykov from Almaty University of Power Engineering and Telecommunications, Aida Begaldarova from al-Farabi Kazakh National University, and Algerim Turarbekova from International Information Technology University. The top winners will represent the Middle East and Central Asia in the global finals competition that will take place next year in Shanghai, China. During the ceremony, which was attended by ambassadors to China from the participating countries, Shunli Wang, Vice President of Huawei Middle East & Central Asia, delivered an opening speech followed by remarks by each of His Excellency Dr. Ali bin Amer Al Shaidani, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Transport and Communications and Information Technology for Communications and Information Technology, Talal Said Marhoon Al Mamari, Chief Executive Officer of Oman Telecommunications Company (Omantel), H.E. Li Lingbing, Chinese Ambassador to Oman, and then celebrated the competition’s final winners and acknowledged the outstanding participants. His Excellency Dr. Ali bin Amer Al Shaidani, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology for Communications and Information Technology, said: “We are thrilled to host the Huawei ICT Competition Middle East 2022 in Oman this year, in partnership with the Ministry of Labour, Omantel, and Huawei. This comes as part of the National Digital Upskilling Initiative (Makeen) and coincides with the selection of Muscat as the Arab Digital Capital for the year 2022.With strong digital capabilities and infrastructure, Oman is a technology hub that aims to pave the way for young talents in the region. Congratulations to all participants; we look forward to witnessing their journey to transform the technology scene.” His Excellency announced an incentives program for Omani students who have received the Huawei Certified ICT Associate (HCIA) or Huawei Certified ICT Expert (HCIE) certification. Organized in collaboration with Huawei and Omantel, the program aims to provide the students with $450,000 of financial incentives for a period of 5 years. Shunli Wang, Vice President of Huawei Middle East & Central Asia, said: “I would like to thank our partners at the Omani Government, Ministry of Labour, and Omantel for being part of this ceremony. Huawei is committed to supporting and nurturing young ICT talent in the region. Through the Huawei Middle East ICT Competition, we aim to empower the youth to advance their ICT skills, hence contributing to the talent ecosystem and supporting accelerating digital economies. On behalf of Huawei, I would like to congratulate all the winners for their compelling efforts during the 2022 edition of the competition. He continued: “We believe in the power of open collaboration with our partners in the public and private sectors, alongside academia, to nurture the skills of the young ICT talents and encourage them to participate in achieving the national plans and visions of their countries. 

Huawei strengthens cybersecurity collaboration at an industry conference in Bahrain

  • Huawei took part in the Arab International Cybersecurity Conference and Exhibition in Bahrain.

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) Co-hosted by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and held under the patronage of Bahrain Crown Prince HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Arab International Cybersecurity Conference and Exhibition in Bahrain attracted the highest level of engagement in the region with participation from government, industry, and business verticals, including BFSI, oil & gas, energy, utilities, IT & telecom, manufacturing, education and more.

Afke Schaart, Chief Global Impact Officer and Senior Vice President of Global Government Affairs at Huawei, delivered a keynote addressing cybersecurity building, collaboration, and unified standards. Ms. Schaart noted that both product vulnerabilities and operational lapses could be addressed through well-established standards and regulations. She lauded the efforts of the OIC-CERT 5G Security Working Group, whose 5G Security Framework provides a systematic, defense-in-depth approach that can be utilized to accelerate ICT development.

The conference gathered lots of industry professors and regulators discussing wildly joint efforts to improve cybersecurity and privacy capabilities. The NESAS/SCAS framework, jointly released by the GSMA and 3GPP, demonstrates excellence in addressing cyber threats. It draws upon industry experience and provides a clear certification framework for product security assessments. In addition, GSMA has published a 5G Cybersecurity Knowledge Base, with input from global operators and suppliers. The Knowledge Base provides guidance on systematically addressing 5G security risks at different stages, from network planning and construction to maintenance, optimization, and operations. These fact-based approaches are widely supported by players across the industry; government regulators should therefore consider adopting and promoting them as factual standards.

In addition, a panel titled “Build cyber resilience upon Standards and Collaboration brought valuable thoughts from different fields. Participants included Ms. Schaart; Mr. Mohammed Al Noaimi Director of Technology and Network Security, TRA Bahrain, Dr. Jassim Haji, President of AI International; Khalid Jalal, Senior Group ICT Manager, GARMCO, and Nawaf M. Abdulrahman, CIO; Mohammed bin Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa Cardiac Centre, Dr.  Abdulla Alasaadi, Assistant professor at the University of Bahrain;

Afke Schaart said, “Different stakeholders can collaborate to explore resilience models and solutions based on experience-informed big data analytics. Developing resilience solutions based on standards and rules is critical as we believe that both product vulnerabilities and operational lapses can be best addressed through well-established standards and regulations.”

Dr.  Abdulla Alasaadi said, “Cyber resilience accepts that attack might happen no matter how well prepared your defenses are. It takes you beyond cybersecurity, stressing the importance of being prepared for an attack so you can respond and recover with minimal impact to your business.”

Khalid Jalal said, “There is a cyber-attack somewhere in the world every 39th second and every day, 2200 attackers are hacking 800,000 people. If this does not ring an alarm, then nothing will. Although technology and technologists are doing their best, it’s not enough unless cyber security resilience plans become integral to corporate strategic plans. Global unified standards and regulations can help industries operate safely in a prosperous business ecosystem and nurture a thriving digital economy for years to come.”

Dr. Jassim Haji said, “AI-based tools for cybersecurity have emerged to help information security teams reduce breach risk and improve their security posture efficiently and effectively. AI and ML have become critical technologies in information security, able to quickly analyze millions of events and identify many different types of threats, from malware exploiting zero-day vulnerabilities to identifying risky behavior that might lead to a phishing attack or download of malicious code.”

Nawaf M. Abdulrahman said, “In the past, having a cybersecurity strategy that stopped the cybercriminals at the gate by fortifying the perimeter provided adequate protection. However, the acceleration of digital transformation in recent years has added hundreds or even thousands of gates to defend, forcing organizations to adopt an effective cyber-resilience strategy that can withstand both known and unknown crises, threats, adversaries, and other cybersecurity challenges.

“This panel discussion allows organizations to understand better how to build cyber-resilience upon existing standards and collaboration and sheds light on measuring and solving cybersecurity concerns and threats related to the latest trends such as IoT and Industrial IoT.” he added.

200 Nominees Presented their Projects at APICTA 2022Awards

Pakistan (Muhammad Yasir) Approximately 200 nominees from different countries of Asia Pacific region have presented their projects to the jury of the 21st Asia and Pacific ICT Alliances (APICTA) Awards being held in Pakistan for the first time.
As many as 150 foreign delegates from 16 economies are participating in APICTA Award including Malaysia, Australia, Brunei, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Japan, Singapore and Thailand etc.
On the second day, 64 experienced IT professionals judged various projects of participating companies to select winners based on live presentations and demonstrations of specialized work.
The projects have been designed in different fields including EdTech, HealthTech, Fintech, AgriTech, Marketing and Services sectors etc.
The event showcased a vibrant cultural evening allowing showcasing of the cultural diversity of the economies under one roof.
The event has been organized by the Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA) and TechDestination for IT and ITES, in collaboration with the Pakistan Software Export Board and Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT).
APICTA is an annual event, also known as OSCARS of the IT industry, aimed at enhancing regional cooperation and collaboration in ICT sector which ultimately benefits the member economies. The event is likely to boost up export of IT and IT-enabled services of Pakistan.
Member IT Junaid Imam MoITT, Additional Secretary MoITT Ayesha Moriani, Usman Nasir former MD PSEB, Convener APICTA Badar Khushnood, Chief Judge Dr. Shoab A. Khan and Project Director Hira Zainab, deserve a special mention for facilitating, organising and executing an excellent event.

The winners of APICTA Awards would be announced in a closing ceremony being held on 11 December at the Air University Auditorium where 26 winning teams would be given shields and prizes.
 
Pakistan IT’s exports surged to over $2.6 billion in the closing financial year. The event is likely to boost up export of IT and IT-enabled services of Pakistan.

TECNO Unveils Industry’s First Eagle Eye Lens for Smartphones

TECNO Unveils Industry’s First Eagle Eye Lens for Smartphones paired with the Biggest Angle of Tilt Capability.

  •  Equipped with the biggest angle of tilt ability, TECNO’s innovative Eagle Eye Lens technology delivers true AI-tracking shooting through rotation of the dual prisms.
  • The Eagle Eye Lens delivers an advanced video stabilization and works unanimously with an optical stabilizer, allowing users to capture impeccable images even when shooting moving objects. Ultimately, granting users the freedom to capture indefectible images in extreme conditions such as scenarios of F1 racing.

Pakistan (Muhammad Yasir) TECNO, a global innovative technology brand with operations in over 70 markets, recently unveiled the industry first Eagle Eye Lens technology. The innovation was exhibited at a webinar centered around the evolution of premium technological advances that are inundating the global smartphone domain at present. Anticipated to be deployed in tandem with premium smartphone models debuting in 2023, TECNO’s Eagle Eye Lens, is set to be the first dual-prism, periscope camera, equipped with the largest tilt capability introduced till date.

The lens’s internal rotational dual prisms, which provide true AI tracking and shooting, allow for an ultra-stabilization angle that can be as wide as 6 degrees on both the positive and negative axis. The two prisms can tilt uniaxially by +/- 8°or +/- 10°resulting a combined uniaxial tilt range of +/-16° in the short side direction and +/-20° at the long side direction for the image, which allows them to intelligently track moving objects in the image. Consequentially, the center of the telephoto lens’ view area will constantly be occupied by the moving objects.

The advanced features present in the revolutionizing Eagle Eye Lens are redefining technology. Notably, the tracking and shoot features present in most smartphones, be that Android or iOS, use digital cutting technology to center the object within the frame. Comparatively, TECNO’s Eagle Eye Lens technology is the first to achieve real physical tracking and shooting experience, providing users with impeccable images, devoid of any defects or digital chopping.

The novel image technology that The Eagle Eye Lens offers further optimizes the pleasure of shooting thrilling videos with moving objects for users, resulting in superior video stabilization shooting experiences. “The Eagle Eye Lens can solve the enduring issue of telephoto lens’s limited view when capturing sports videos like the F1 racing. Instead, cutting-edge equipment can acutely monitor, detect and capture the racing automobiles rapid movement most ably”, said Jimmy Hsu, Deputy Director of TECNO Image R&D Center,this equips the remote shooting users with the best possible experience.”

TECNO is dedicated to consistently focusing on developing flagship imaging capabilities and to make substantial advancements in portrait, zoom, picture stability and other photography dimensions. The company does this by adhering to its glocalization strategy and the major trends in the development of mobile imaging technology worldwide. In the not so distant future, it is anticipated that more fundamentally novel technologies will be unveiled. Stay tuned!

Huawei signs global ITU pledge to help 120 million people in remote areas connect to the digital world

Pakistan (Muhammad Yasir) Huawei has signed a global commitment to join the International Telecommunication Union’s Partner2Connect digital alliance, which will bring connectivity to about 120 million people in remote areas in more than 80 countries by 2025.

Liang Hua, Chairman of Huawei, announced the decision at the company’s 2022 Sustainability Forum, Connectivity+: Innovate for Impact. The forum explored how ICT innovation could unleash the business and social value of connectivity and drive sustainability in the digital economy era.

Speakers at the event included senior leaders from the ITU and United Nations, telecom ministers and regulators in Cambodia, Nigeria, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, and business leaders, partners, experts, and customers from China, South Africa, Belgium, and Germany.

“It is clear connectivity alone is not enough. It must be affordable, the content must be relevant and in the local language, and users must have the skills to make best use of it,” said ITU Deputy Secretary-General Malcolm Johnson. “Thank you to Huawei for their support of the Partner2Connect (P2C) Digital Coalition, and for their announced P2C pledges in the key areas of rural connectivity and digital skills.”

Siddharth Chatterjee, United Nations Resident Coordinator in China, called for “multi-stakeholder partnerships” of policymakers, the private sector, academia, and civil society to close “the sobering reality” of a digital divide which excluded a third of the global population.

“Our dynamic world urgently needs improved digital cooperation to capitalize on the transformational potential of technology to create new jobs, boost financial inclusion, close the gender gap, spur a green recovery and redesign our world to be more prosperous and inclusive,” he said. “Now is the time to act”.

In his keynote address, Dr Liang stressed that access to a stable network was a basic requirement and right in the digital age. For many who remain unconnected, access to reliable connectivity would mark the first step towards transforming their lives.

“Connectivity will be more than just a tool for convenient communications,” he said. “Together with digital technologies like cloud and AI, connectivity will help bring everyone into the digital world, and provide them with access to more information and skills, better services, and wider business opportunities. This will, in turn, drive further social and economic development.”

Cao Ming, President of Huawei Wireless Solution, said: “As an enterprise with the most complete ICT capabilities, Huawei integrates the full-technology innovation potential of equipment, sites, energy, transmission, and antennas to address the difficulties faced by traditional site deployment, such as high costs, restricted transportation, lack of power, and maintenance challenges. We have continuously upgraded the RuralStar and RuralLink solutions to extend quality coverage to remote areas, enabling more people, community hospitals, schools, local governments, and small- and medium-sized enterprises to enjoy the same high-speed broadband connectivity experiences as those in cities”.

The RuralStar series solutions have provided connections for more than 60 million people in remote areas in more than 70 countries.

The construction of optical broadband networks offers another important route to realizing a universal service. Huawei has proposed an innovative AirPON solution for areas with low population density, including remote areas. This solution continuously reduces the footprint of equipment rooms, optical fiber installation costs, and network power consumption, while ensuring the rapid deployment of local communication networks.

In Africa alone, Huawei has laid more than 250,000 kilometers of optical fibers, enabling 30 million households to access high-speed broadband. User experience has seen constant improvement. The average speed of home broadband already exceeds 30 Mbit/s, bringing smarter, faster, and smoother home network experience.

As ICT infrastructure continues to evolve, innovative technologies like cloud and AI are allowing those in rural and remote areas to enjoy the convenience of a digital world. Huawei Cloud has proposed the Everything as a Service strategy and made Huawei’s more than 30 years of technical expertise and digital transformation experience available through cloud services. This means that access to Huawei’s digital infrastructure capabilities on the cloud is now just as easy, affordable, and sustainable as water and electricity.

Digital transformation, digital talent, and new business models are all essential for balanced development in remote regions. Huawei previously announced that by 2025, with the improved ICT infrastructure, the company will work with partners to enable 500 million people to enjoy digital financial services and 500,000 people to enjoy inclusive education.

In Cambodia, the ITU’s first P2C partner country, Huawei will work with government departments through the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications and universities to provide 10,000 training opportunities for ICT professionals in the next five years.

Huawei is committed to inclusive development. Through its ongoing technological innovation, Huawei is contributing to a higher level of digitalization in remote regions, enabling everyone to enjoy the convenience of a digital life, and promoting the balanced development of the global digital economy.