In what may seem an unusual form of diversification, Pakistan’s Mari Petroleum Company Limited (MPCL) has said it plans to invest in the establishment of data centres, cloud computing, artificial intelligence and related technology ventures.

According to a number of reports, MPCL, in collaboration with its partners, will lead this expansion by developing Tier III and Tier IV-certified, purpose-built data centres across Pakistan to meet the data management and processing needs of a wide range of public and private institutions. Pakistan currently has 22 data centres.

As local press resource The Business Recorder puts it, these data centres will provide co-location and cloud services, addressing the evolving requirements of businesses across different sectors.

The move may seem unusual, but it isn’t totally unexpected. As the Data Centre Dynamics website points out, in August, MPCL announced the formation of a subsidiary focusing on cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI). The company reportedly said this week that it has formed a new digital infrastructure subsidiary with an equity investment of some US$36 million.

The news of MPCL’s move into data centres appeared this week in a Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) stock exchange announcement, which was notable mainly for its brevity. Indeed, numbers of data centres, where they will be located, size, scale, partnerships, and timing of the date centre rollout were not mentioned.

However, the PSX announcement said the project launch ceremony for the first data centre took place this week in Karachi and suggested that MPCL’s plans to form a dedicated company relevant to the sector will help tap the rising demand for cloud computing and artificial intelligence.

MPCL, founded in 1984, is controlled by Pakistani conglomerate the Fauji Foundation, which, says Data Centre Dynamics, is largely controlled by the country’s armed forces.

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) has approved a $400 million loan for Pakistan Telecommunications Company Limited (PTCL), marking a significant step toward its acquisition of Telenor Group’s operations in Pakistan.

In a statement, PTCL confirmed the approval, which had been anticipated since April, with initial expectations for completion by July.

The IFC detailed in a seperate statement, $224.5 million will come directly from IFC and an additional $175.5 million from British International Investment and the Silk Road Fund, structured over a seven-year term.

This acquisition will see PTCL take control of Telenor Pakistan and Orion Towers Private Limited, with plans to merge its mobile subsidiary, Pak Telecom Mobile Limited (Ufone), with Telenor Pakistan.

The combined entity is projected to serve around 70 million subscribers, reducing the number of mobile network operators in the country from four to three. The main competitors left in the market will be Zong and Jazz.

The merger represents another strategic exit by Telenor from Asian markets, following its previous mergers in Thailand and Malaysia and its withdrawal from Myanmar. Telenor still retains its stake in Grameenphone in Bangladesh.

The IFC emphasised that Pakistan’s telecommunications sector presents substantial growth opportunities, with broadband and mobile user penetration currently below regional averages. “Pakistan’s telecommunications market offers significant opportunities for growth and investment,” said Khawaja Aftab Ahmed, IFC’s Regional Director for the Middle East, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.

Commenting on the deal, Hatem Bamatraf, President and Group CEO of PTCL and PTML, highlighted the landmark nature of the financing: “This is the largest single financing ever secured in the industry, and it strengthens the PTCL Group while promoting long-term stability across the telecom sector. The enhanced economies of scale will allow the industry to contribute more effectively to Pakistan’s economic and social progress.”

This Industry Viewpoint was authored by Jeff Miller, President and CEO of Synchronoss Technologies

In today’s hyper-connected world, the importance of data security cannot be overstated. In Appdome’s 2024 Mobile Consumer Security Survey, 58% of consumers named mobile fraud their primary worry today, especially with AI-based scams on the rise. Deloitte’s 2023 Connected Consumer Survey found similar results, with 67% of mobile users reporting concerns about data security and privacy on their smartphones and 62% of smart home users reporting anxiety … [visit site to read more]

South African telco Vodacom said on Thursday its enterprise unit is working with local governments to implement smart city solutions for use cases such as utilities management, healthcare, education and security.

Under a five-year transversal contract with the National Treasury, Vodacom Business said it is delivering digital solutions that will enable municipal governments to make services more efficient and inclusive.

“We aim to use our experience and expertise in understanding government needs to achieve their smart city goals,” said Vodacom Business Director Videsha Proothveerajh in a statement. “This includes digitalising utilities management, healthcare, education and security, which streamline operations, enhance efficiencies and improve the lives of citizens.”

Vodacom Business’ smart utilities management system uses connected smart meters to provide real-time information on consumption and enable more accurate billing and revenue collection.

On the healthcare front, Vodacom Business offers a stock visibility solution for healthcare facilities to better keep track of equipment, supplies and dispensing of medication, and a smart dispatch system that allows users to track ambulance requests. Meanwhile, the AitaHealth smartphone-based platform helps community health workers to deliver preventative care services at home.

Smart education solutions include remote learning and streamlined online admissions processes. And public safety apps include IoT-based soltuions such as bodycams and real-time firearm tracking and geofencing.

Vodacom Business said it has also developed and deployed a “citizen engagement” app that enables “two-way communication and collaboration between citizens and municipalities, including logging service requests and tracking their progress.”

The South African government has been keen on harnessing smart-city tech for several years now. In 2021, the Department of Cooperative Governance published the South African Smart Cities Framework in collaboration with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research.

In 2020, President Cyril Ramaphosa launched several smart city infrastructure projects, including the ZAR84 billion (US$4.8 billion) Mooikloof Mega City project near Pretoria, and another smart city project near Lanseria Airport near Johannesburg.

However, it’s been slow going for both projects. According to the latest media reports, Mooikloof is still in the construction phase and has been reportedly hampered by funding disputes between the government and developer Balwin Properties.

Meanwhile, developers at the Lanseria site reportedly have not yet broken ground, having spent the last four years developing a plan for the project and getting the necessary approvals to build out the bulk infrastructure

All of which could mean that existing municipalalities that adopt smart city solutions from Vodacom and other solution providers may potentially end up as poster children for the promised benefits of smart-city tech long before dedicated smart city projects are completed.

SpaceX has reportedly said it plans to invest US$1.5 billion in Vietnam in the near future as an apparent sweetener to convince the government to allow the company to launch its LEO satellite broadband service Starlink in the country.

According to a report issued by the official Vietnam News Agency on Thursday, the investment plan was proposed by Tim Hughes, SpaceX’s senior VP for global business and government affairs, during a meeting in New York City on Wednesday with Vietnamese party general secretary and state president Tô Lâm.

The report offered no details on where or when the US$1.5 billion would be invested, and SpaceX has not publicly confirmed the report.

Lâm said the Vietnamese government is considering the investment proposal, and asked SpaceX to coordinate with relevant Vietnamese agencies and partners to complete any investment procedures, the VNA report said.

Lâm also reportedly said during the meeting he hopes that SpaceX will “help Vietnam respond to natural disasters in a timely and effective fashion” – a timely topic as communities struggle to get back on their feet and stay connected after Super Typhoon Yagi battered northern Vietnam earlier this month.

In a meeting with Vietnamese prime minister Pham Minh Chinh just before Yagi made landfall, Hughes pitched Starlink as a way to enhance education, training, and disaster prevention efforts in the country, according to VN Express.

SpaceX has been actively lobbying to get approval to launch Starlink in Vietnam since September 2023 as part of its broader strategy to expand in Southeast Asia. So far, Starlink has been cleared to offer services in the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia.

According to Reuters, a key sticking point in the discussions between SpaceX and the Vietnam government is rules regarding foreign ownership. SpaceX would need to set up a JV with a local partner to operate in Vietnam, and would be limited to a 50% stake, whereas SpaceX wants a controlling stake.

SpaceX would also need to find a way to comply with laws regarding domestic data storage and content restrictions, the report said.

One factor working in SpaceX’s favour is that Vietnam has recently demonstrated a willingness to make concessions to foreign companies to help local players cope with surging demand.

In July, the government said it would allow foreign investors to own data centres in Vietnam for the first time. The change was made because its local data storage law was generating more demand for storage than local data centre operators could handle.

Four bits of regional connectivity from this week’s infrastructure news: … [visit site to read more]

Artificial intelligence (AI) underpins two recent announcements in the Latin American region – one from technology giant Microsoft and the other from Wi-Fi optimisation specialist Galgus.

Microsoft has announced that it will invest US$1.3 billion over the next three years to build up its infrastructure in Mexico for cloud computing and artificial intelligence.

The company says the investment will go towards improving connectivity and boosting the adoption of AI technology by small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). The initiative aims to reach five million Mexicans and 30,000 SMBs in three years.

According to Reuters, Mexican firms such as breadmaker Bimbo and cement producer Cemex already use Microsoft’s AI tools.

Meanwhile Galgus, a provider of Wi-Fi optimisation solutions, and Sysman, a specialist in data-driven city planning and management, have joined forces to create smart and safe cities in Latin America through AI-powered Wi-Fi technology

Sysman offers and presents information in an understandable way, allowing municipal administrations to gain a broad view of real situations, identify needs and propose potential solutions.

This facilitates informed decision-making on the most relevant aspects of the city, such as public safety, by monitoring occupancy levels and the flow of people, as well as keeping an eye on potential suspicious activity in critical areas.

These data will now be optimised thanks to Galgus’ location and presence analytics technology, which, the company says, offers unmatched precision in device counting and tracking through AI algorithms that can even detect non-connected devices and those that randomise their MAC addresses.

Additionally, with this partnership agreement Galgus says it is making significant strides in improving connectivity in cities, as its AI-powered Wi-Fi technology delivers high performance even in crowded areas. Furthermore, it suggests that it is shaping the convergence of Wi-Fi and 5G networks, providing users with a seamless experience.

Several international bits of news from the middle of this week to catch up with: … [visit site to read more]

Indonesian telco XL Axiata says it has launched a new prepaid SIM card registration process that uses facial recognition technology as a biometric ID verification measure, following a successful trial earlier this month.

In a statement circulated late last week, XL Axiata said that its prepaid customers will be required to scan their face using designated devices during the prepaid card registration process. The biometric data will be automatically cross-checked with government identity databases to verify the customer’s identity.

XL Axiata claims that facial recognition technology enables more precise identity verification, which will streamline the prepaid registration process. The technology also complies with industry Know Your Customer (KYC) protocols to ensure data accuracy and reduce the risk of fraud or identity theft.

The telco also said the biometric technology will help it comply with the Indonesian government’s regulations on prepaid number registration that claim to “enhance security and prevent the misuse of telecommunication services.”

XL Axiata staged a public trial of the biometric prepaid card registration process at XL Center Gandaria City in Jakarta, on September 12. The trial was supervised by the Ministry of Communication and Informatics of the Republic of Indonesia (Kominfo).

« We believe this innovation will bring convenience, enhance security, improve speed, and minimize the risk of data forgery or duplicate identities, » said Yessie D. Yosetya, director and chief enterprise business and corporate affairs officer at XL Axiata.

Use of facial recognition technology has been ramping up in Indonesia, particularly among government agencies and companies, with much of it applied to immigration checkpoints.

On Monday, Vision-Box said it had implemented over 150 biometric touchpoints using facial recognition at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta and I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali.

In July, Indonesia Immigration implemented an automated border control system using facial recognition for the international seaport at Batam Centre.

Last month, state railway company KAI said it will introduce a new CCTV system with face recognition technology to identify and blacklist passengers involved in criminal activities.

Also last month, according to the Jakarta Post, the state-owned Health Care and Social Security Agency (BPJS Kesehatan) said it will use facial recognition to identify its policyholders with the aim of combating fraud in the National Health Insurance (JKN) system.

According to Statista, Indonesia’s facial recognition market is projected to reach US$68.16 million this year and grow at a CAGR of 9.3% to US$116.60 million by 2030.