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Connect-World Asia-Pacific II 2009     Magazine introduction Information and communications technologies, ICTs, have always had a significant impact upon businesses. Today, they can be the business. Virtual businesses abound and even their services or products can be virtual; only the money is real. The savings and earnings that advanced ICTs bring to businesses, both real and virtual, are transforming business models, creating new markets and providing new opportunities for millions of workers. The Asia Pacific region has long been among the earliest adopters and most effective users of technology. This issue of Connect-World Asia Pacific will explore the use and promise of ICTs for business in the region. This issue of Connect-World Asia-Pacific 2009 will examine the implications of these far-reaching converged systems and the impact they have not only upon users, but upon the complex ecosystem that will make these innovative communications systems possible - the networks, communications equipment, user devices, software and business applications. The theme of this issue of Connect-Word Asia Pacific will be - Information and Communication Business Technology . Considering your unique experience, an article dealing with the theme of this issue, would be of real interest to our readers.     Theme: Information and Communication Business Technology Articles Contributors Feature articles     Article no.: 1 Topic: Mobile broadband evolution Author: Alan Hadden Title: President Organisation: Global mobile Suppliers Association (GSA) PDF size: 208KB   About author: Alan Hadden has been President of the GSA (Global mobile Suppliers Association) since its formation in 1998; he has 22 years’ experience in the mobile communications industry. Previously, Mr Hadden was on the senior management team of a UK PCN/GSM 1800 operator and involved in the start-up, launch, and expansion phases. He assisted key stakeholders and overseas regulators to establish 1,800 MHz as a mainstream band internationally for cellular services and with the market entry of new mobile businesses. Mr Hadden represented the company in key UK industry forums, and internationally at ETSI, the GSM Association and the UMTS Forum. Before then, Mr Hadden was Industrial Advisor to the UK communications regulator, where he represented views influencing regulation and standardization at national and international level. Mr Hadden’s second book, Mobile Broadband with HSPA, LTE and Beyond: Services, Markets and Business Opportunities, will be published later this year.   Article abstract: Mobile broadband’s rapid adoption is due to the standardisation of high-speed transmission technology, and to the widespread availability of lower-cost, more ‘intelligent’ network equipment and user devices. It is also due to growing mobile Internet access for services including social networking and multi-media applications. Regulators throughout the world are freeing spectrum for mobile broadband. The switch from analogue to digital TV will make significant amounts of spectrum available, the so-called ‘digital dividend’, which can be used for mobile broadband.   buy     Article no.: 2 Topic: The economy and ICT innovation Author: Bernard Yee Title: Vice President Organisation: AT&T Asia Pacific PDF size: 228KB   About author: Bernard Yee, Vice President of AT&T Asia Pacific, is responsible for managing the direct sales and channel sales teams across 13 markets in the region, including Japan. Mr Yee has held the various management positions within AT&T including Regional Managing Director of Consumer Markets Division of AT&T Asia Pacific and head of Marketing and Product Management. Mr Yee joined the Internet and Online Services Division of AT&T Asia Pacific and was soon promoted to head the company’s merger and acquisition activities in Asia Pacific. Mr Yee holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Auckland and is a Chartered Accountant of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of New Zealand.   Article abstract: Companies are retrenching to face the economic slowdown. They are favouring solutions that substitute capital expenditures for operational expenditures. Services such as utility computing and managed IT services, which scale up - or down - instantly to meet changing demand and are paid for according to usage are growing in popularity. The use of communications technologies that enhance productivity and accelerate business processes, such as unified communications and videoconferencing - which can reduce travel - are growing as well.   buy     Article no.: 3 Topic: Delivering software-plus-services Author: Geoff Thomas Title: General Manager, Communications Sector, Asia Pacific, Greater China, India and Japan Organisation: Microsoft Corporation PDF size: 252KB   About author: Geoff Thomas is the General Manager for Asia Pacific, Greater China, India and Japan within the Communications Sector at Microsoft. He is responsible for sales and marketing, business development, consulting and support services for leading telecommunications companies, service providers, and media and entertainment companies in Asia. Mr Thomas is a Microsoft veteran of over 17 years; since joining Microsoft in Sydney as an account manager in 1991, he has held various positions in Asia Pacific and the US, spanning the enterprise, SMB and channel segments. Geoff Thomas holds a Bachelor of Business degree from Kuring-gai College of Advanced Education in Sydney, Australia, majoring in accounting and finance.   Article abstract: The ‘connected lifestyle’ depends upon user-centric s voice, video and data services integrated into innovative Web services, available on a wide variety of fixed and mobile devices, that expand and facilitate the user’s personal business and social lives. Such services will help service providers attract and retain individual and enterprises subscribers. Increasingly, these services will be resident on the Web, - the ‘cloud’, not the device, as software as a service (SaaS); and operators will offer a combination of software plus services.   buy     Article no.: 4 Topic: Mobilising the workforce Author: Paul Blinkhorn Title: Australia Country Manager, Vice President of Motorola’s Enterprise Mobility business, Australia and New Zealand and Asia-Pacific Channels Organisation: Motorola PDF size: 192KB   About author: Paul Blinkhorn is Motorola’s Australia Country Manager and Vice President of its Enterprise Mobility business in Australia, New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific region. Mr Blinkhorn has 30 years’ experience in the ICT sector. Mr Blinkhorn joined Motorola from Palm where he was the Vice President and Managing Director for Asia Pacific. Prior to Palm, Mr Blinkhorn served at Compaq/HP in various leadership roles, including Vice President, Asia Pacific, responsible for the Industry Standard Server Division, Vice President and Managing Director for Compaq Asean, Managing Director for Compaq New Zealand, and Sales Director for Compaq Australia. Just prior to Compaq’s merger with HP, Mr Blinkhorn was Vice President of the Access Business Group. Prior to Compaq, Paul held senior management positions at Olivetti Australia.   Article abstract: There is a significant difference between mere mobile communications and a truly mobile business environment. By fully integrating all of an organisation’s communications and systems, employees, wherever located, can easily access whatever corporate applications and data they need to do their job. Further, fixed mobile convergence makes it possible to reach an employee, using a single number, no matter where they are. Enterprise grade mobile devices can be managed, secured and updated remotely for the entire organisation in a matter of minutes.   buy     Article no.: 5 Topic: Mobile business communications Author: Tan Choon Seng Title: Vice-President Organisation: Avaya PDF size: 224KB   About author: Tan Choon Seng is the Vice President for Applications and Software Sales for Avaya in Asia-Pacific. Prior to this, Mr Seng was the Regional Director for Avaya ASEAN where he was responsible for their Unified Communications and Contact Center applications sales. Mr Seng spent the last 20 years of his career in the IT and CRM/Call Center industry working with a broad spectrum of clients.   Article abstract: Mobile corporate communications boost employee productivity outside the confines of the office. By connecting staff, customers and management, they help companies service their customers better. Corporate mobility solutions offer multi-modal access to the tools and applications businesses rely on to be productive - regardless of where their employees are located or what device they have at hand. Corporate mobility solutions include five essential components: calling and conferencing management; one-number accessibility; messaging management; contact and information management; and personal efficiency management.   buy     Article no.: 6 Topic: WiMAX: boon for businesses everywhere Author: Michael Lai Title: CEO Organisation: Packet One Networks Sdn Bhd. PDF size: 188KB   About author: Michael Lai is currently playing a dual role as CEO of Packet One Networks (M) Sdn Bhd (P1), a provider of WiMAX enabled broadband services, and as CEO of Green Packet International, a global next-generation mobile broadband network solutions provider. Mr Lai has over 20 years of experience in the information and communications technologies sector. Michael Lai is an Electrical Engineer by training with a Masters in Business Administration.   Article abstract: Technology, especially wireless broadband such as WiMAX, lets businesses anywhere compete on an equal footing with well-established global companies. With broadband, workers can work from any convenient location, making productive employment possible for home-bound workers who would otherwise be excluded from the market. Online businesses no longer need to shoulder the cost of expensive office space for their workers or fully staffed showroom space and with cloud computing, IT services can be obtained online without expensive capital investment or fixed expense.   buy     Article no.: 7 Topic: The next television revolution Author: Dario Choi Title: Executive VP and General Manager, Tandberg Television Asia-Pacific Organisation: Ericsson Group PDF size: 200KB   About author: Dario Choi is the Executive VP and General Manager of Tandberg Television, Asia Pacific, which is part of the Ericsson Group; he is part of Tandberg Television’s global executive management team. Previously, Mr Choi served as the Senior Sales Director, responsible for overseeing the development of Tandberg Television’s sales and business opportunities in SE & NE Asia. He joined Tandberg Television from SkyStream Networks where he was Managing Director of Asia-Pacific. Dario Choi was elected for a two-year term on the CASBAA - The Cable & Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia - Council of Governors. Dario Choi earned an Electrical Engineering degree from University of Alberta, Canada and is a member of the International Engineering Consortium and the ISP-Satellites Forum.   Article abstract: Consumers want an integrated multimedia experience combining fixed and wireless networks to deliver both entertainment with communications. Accordingly, television will converge with fixed-line and mobile telecoms, and entertainment and communications will blend into unified services. Open standards for IMS/IP-based convergence will provide Internet-sourced video alongside traditional television and VOD as part of an increasingly personalized TV experience. Consumers will be able to access their converged multimedia services on television, through their PC or on handheld devices including mobile phones.   buy     Article no.: 8 Topic: The power of messaging Author: Boudewijn Pesch Title: Managing Director Organisation: Acision Asia Pacific PDF size: 224KB   About author: Boudewijn Pesch is the Managing Director of Acision Asia Pacific. Mr Pesch joined CMG in 1998 as the Chief Representative, and was later appointed Managing Director of CMG Asia-Pacific. When CMG merged with Logica, becoming LogicaCMG, Mr Pesch was named Director for LogicaCMG’s Telecoms Products business and expanded its business presence in new markets such as Pakistan, Bangladesh, Vietnam and Thailand. When this business was bought by Atlantic Bridge Venture, and established as Acision, Mr Pesch assumed his present post. Prior to joining CMG, Mr Pesch was the General Manager of the Detron Group in Asia Pacific. Mr Pesch also served in a consulting position with VB Group in The Netherlands. Boudewijn Pesch earned a Masters degree in management studies and a Bachelors degree in engineering.   Article abstract: Text messaging volumes increase yearly, but competitive price erosion in messaging has reduced margins. Nevertheless, a number of new services might reverse this trend. Mobile operators need to personalise their messaging services by offering subscribers a variety of new features. Operators can build revenues by extending messaging to fixed terminals via the PC or via cable TV and by offering Internet-based instant messaging to heavy users such as teens. Messaging-based business applications, including mobile marketing, are also important revenue generators.   buy     Article no.: 9 Topic: Mobile banking - sense, dollars, and cents Author: Chris Carr Title: Vice President, Sales, Southeast Asia Pacific Organisation: Nokia PDF size: 216KB   About author: Chris Carr is Nokia’s Vice President of Sales for Southeast Asia Pacific. In his previous role, Mr Carr was General Manager of Nokia Singapore. Since joining the company Mr Carr has worked for Nokia in both Asia and Europe. Chris Carr holds a Bachelor of Business Administration - Major in Finance from Philip Institute of Technology (now known as RMIT).   Article abstract: By automating their services, banks have reduced both costs and errors, and the manpower needed to process transactions and handle cash. Many clients now handle most of their banking needs at home or the office. Automated banking has made it possible to cut costs whilst improving services. Mobile banking takes the convenience and savings to a new level, and economically extends banking services to remote regions that low-income users’ banks were never able to serve before, thereby promoting their economic development.   buy     Article no.: 10 Topic: Mobile services on the move in Asia Pacific Author: Dr Abdul Razaque Memon Title: Solution Marketing, Application Business Division Organisation: Alcatel-Lucent Asia Pacific PDF size: 520KB   About author: Dr Abdul Razaque Memon is the Director of Solution Marketing throughout the Asia Pacific region for Alcatel-Lucent’s Application Business Division. Dr Abdul Razaque Memon Abdul has over 15 years of industry experience; he has held a number of senior positions in sales and marketing focusing upon converged solutions (VoIP, NGN, IMS and IPTV, Mobile TV, VAS, Content, Advertising) for fixed and mobile network operators. Dr Abdul Razaque Memon has long been actively involved in strategic IPTV & Mobile TV projects and played a key role in growing the fixed network transformation business in Asia Pacific. Dr Abdul Razaque Memon completed his Doctorate in Computer Engineering at the Xian Jiatong University in China.   Article abstract: Data makes a tremendous contribution to the bottom line of Asia Pacific’s mobile operators. SMS generates the majority of data revenues in most of the world, but in Japan and Korea, almost 75 per cent of mobile data revenue is not SMS driven. Multimedia content from online virtual stores and search engines generate advertising revenue. Mobile streaming, mobile TV, mCommerce, eCommerce, new mobile payment systems, lifestyle and social networking and Web-based communications (IM, email, and so on.) are also becoming important revenue sources.   buy     Article no.: 11 Topic: Virtualization trends in ICT for business Author: Andrew Dutton Title: General Manager Organisation: VMware Asia Pacific PDF size: 184KB   About author: Andrew Dutton is the General Manager of VMware’s Asia Pacific and Japan region; he is responsible for strategic planning, business development, sales, channels, services, finance and marketing. Mr Dutton brings more than 27 years of global management and sales experience in various industries, including IT and financial services. Prior to VMware, Mr Dutton was Computer Associates’ (CA) Senior Vice President and General Manager of International Business, responsible for the Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA) and Asia Pacific & Japan (APJ) regions. Mr Dutton also served as Senior Vice President and General Manager for BEA Systems EMEA. Earlier, Mr Dutton held a number of senior management positions at IBM including as Vice President and General Manager for IBM’s Asia Pacific Software Group. Mr Dutton was a member of IBM’s Senior Management Group. Mr Dutton’s earlier posts included Chief Financial Officer and Director of Information Technology for Australia’s Norwich Union Financial Services Group, and Group Manager of Business Development for Visa International’s Asia Pacific region. Andrew Dutton holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Sydney University.   Article abstract: Virtual computing refers to computing services available when and where needed, on whatever scale is called for. Companies can make all their computing resources throughout the world virtually available to their staff no matter where located. Cloud computing is virtual computing available through the Internet for a wide variety of applications. Users can access their ‘own’ virtual desktop - even on a smartphone - wherever they are, and through it, get whatever secure storage or high-end application processing facilities they need.   buy     Article no.: 12 Topic: Collaboration - the catalyst for growth Author: Wilfred Kwan Title: Chief Technology Officer Organisation: Pacnet PDF size: 184KB   About author: Wilfred Kwan, Pacnet’s Chief Technology Officer, is responsible for Network Operations, Engineering, IT, and Product Management. Mr Kwan previously served as Chief Technology Officer at Asia Netcom, and earlier as Senior Vice President of Network Operations in Asia for Global Crossing. Mr Kwan’s two decades of experience in the telecom industry ranges from software development and integrated circuit design to product development, network planning and operations. Mr Kwan joined ANC from WorldCom Asia Pacific, where he was the Director of Operations. Mr Kwan has also held various management positions with Global One, Lucent Technologies, Motorola and Nortel. Mr Kwan is currently a member of OFTA’s advisory committee in Hong Kong. Wilfred Kwan earned both his BS and MS degrees in Electrical Engineering from Cornell University and has an MS in Financial Management from the University of London.   Article abstract: Few expect a network service provider to cover the world alone. Carriers are tuning to collaborative strategies in order to drive continued growth of the industry through challenges of the global economy. Recent studies show strategic partnerships are considered the best way to finance big projects and bring needed expertise onboard. During the telecom boom earlier this decade, many collaborative projects were driven by investors, not users; today, partners with a vested interest in the services provided are sought.   buy     Article no.: 13 Topic: Network sharing in Asia Author: Simon Kong Title: Business Development Director, Asia Pacific region Organisation: Omnix Software PDF size: 184KB   About author: Simon Kong is the Business Development Director for Omnix Software Ltd in the Asia Pacific region. Before joining Omnix, Mr Kong was South East Asia Regional Sales Director for Commscope Solutions. Over the past 18 years Mr Kong has worked on landmark projects such as the KLCC Twin Towers, the Singapore Housing Development Board Complex and Bangkok’s New International Airport. Building Industry Consulting Services International (BICSI) appointed Mr Kong as its South East Asia District Secretary, before that, he was appointed by the Malaysian Commission for Multimedia and Communication to draft the Malaysian Premise Cabling Standards. Simon Kong holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Microelectronics and Computer Science from Tunku Abdul Rahman College in Malaysia.   Article abstract: Operators look to share network resources by partnering with competing operators to lower their expenditure on network infrastructure - currently more than 60 per cent of their costs. In Asia, government regulations and competitive reluctance are delaying the full-scale adoption of network infrastructure sharing. Despite these obstacles, the current economic climate and slowing revenue growth is making network sharing an attractive proposition. Sharing will let operators focus on branding and customer service and accelerate the introduction of new services and networks.   buy     Article no.: 14 Topic: Product innovation, performance and support Author: Adam Judd Title: Senior Vice President for Asia Pacific Organisation: Juniper Networks PDF size: 180KB   About author: Adam Judd is Juniper Networks’ Senior Vice president of Sales and Operations for Asia Pacific. Mr Judd joined Juniper Networks as part of Juniper’s acquisition of Unisphere Networks, where he co-founded its APAC operations and served as vice president for the theatre. He formerly held APAC management roles with Bay Networks and Nortel Networks.   Article abstract: Technology sprawl, the uncontrolled proliferation of brands of servers, software, systems and devices increases the complexity of data centres, uses data centre space inefficiently, increases energy consumption, reduces performance, security and reliability and bites into profits. Equipment vendors do wonders with technology, new product development, and sales, but services to support these new products are often lacking, and their basic technical strategies are fragmented. Users need high-level professional support from vendors for overall guidance regarding operation, maintenance and advanced service needs.   buy     Article no.: 15 Topic: Standards for Broadband Convergence Author: Robin Mersh Title: Chief Operating Officer Organisation: Broadband Forum PDF size: 252KB   About author: Robin Mersh is the Broadband Forum’s Chief Operating Officer and, as such, is the senior full time executive. He has worked in the telecommunications industry for over 14 years. He started in sales and sales management for Cable & Wireless and then moved on to BT. Mr Mersh has worked in business development and alliance management for various OSS software companies in the United States, mainly in network and service provisioning and activation for companies like Astracon, TTI Telecom and Evolving Systems. Robin Mersh received a Bachelor of Arts degree with honours from Queen Mary and Westfield College, University of London.   Article abstract: Businesses depend upon broadband for their advanced applications. Industry standards that keep up with changing technologies are fundamental to the development of high quality reliable services. The Broadband Forum has long set the pace for the sector by providing the standards that allow for the orderly merging of existing networks and new technologies into the hybrid networks the market demands. By specifying access integration, network architectures and management protocols they ensure service providers can engineer and support their multi-access networks.   buy     Article no.: 16 Topic: Solutions for next-generation wireless Author: Ben Cardwell Title: VP, Asia Pacific and China Organisation: Andrew Wireless Solutions PDF size: 208KB   About author: Ben Cardwell is the Vice President of Asia Pacific and China for Andrew Wireless Solutions and is responsible for Andrew’s sales and marketing, in the Asia Pacific and China region. An 18-year veteran of the telecommunications industry, Mr Cardwell previously was director, Systems Engineering, Asia Pacific for Andrew. Prior to joining Andrew, Mr Cardwell served in various leadership positions within Research & Development, Product Management, Systems Engineering, and Field Sales with UTStarcom, Ericsson, and 3Com. Mr Cardwell graduated from Davidson College, North Carolina, with a Bachelor of Science degree in physics. He holds an MBA from Kellogg Graduate School of Management, Northwestern University.   Article abstract: Fourth generation (4G) - LTE and WiMAX - networks address the limitations of 3G and are currently in trials and rollouts. Operators expect 4G networks to handle more traffic at lower cost. The new 4G infrastructure equipment uses considerably less energy and is ‘greener’ than earlier networks. Infrastructure that optimises network performance and reduces management costs will help maintain operator profitability in an increasingly competitive market. Careful planning of both the backhaul network and indoor network coverage is essential.   buy Confirmed authors (Order by article no.)   Alan Hadden President, Global mobile Suppliers Association (GSA)   Bernard Yee Vice President, AT&T Asia Pacific   Geoff Thomas General Manager, Communications Sector, Asia Pacific, Greater China, India and Japan, Microsoft Corporation   Paul Blinkhorn Australia Country Manager, Vice President of Motorola’s Enterprise Mobility business, Australia and New Zealand and Asia-Pacific Channels, Motorola   Tan Choon Seng Vice-President, Avaya   Michael Lai CEO, Packet One Networks Sdn Bhd.   Dario Choi Executive VP and General Manager, Tandberg Television Asia-Pacific, Ericsson Group   Boudewijn Pesch Managing Director, Acision Asia Pacific   Chris Carr Vice President, Sales, Southeast Asia Pacific, Nokia   Dr Abdul Razaque Memon Solution Marketing, Application Business Division, Alcatel-Lucent Asia Pacific   Andrew Dutton General Manager, VMware Asia Pacific   Wilfred Kwan Chief Technology Officer, Pacnet   Simon Kong Business Development Director, Asia Pacific region, Omnix Software   Adam Judd Senior Vice President for Asia Pacific, Juniper Networks   Robin Mersh Chief Operating Officer, Broadband Forum   Ben Cardwell VP, Asia Pacific and China, Andrew Wireless Solutions