Gigi Onag, LightReading Journalist Profile

Articles

U Mobile picks Huawei and ZTE to deploy Malaysia's second 5G network

1 week ago | lightreading.com | Gigi Onag

Gigi Onag, Senior Editor, APACU Mobile reportedly announced on Tuesday that it has selected Huawei and ZTE to build Malaysia's second 5G network. According to local news reports, Huawei will handle the 5G rollout in Peninsular Malaysia, while ZTE will take the lead in East Malaysia, which includes the states of Sabah and Sarawak. "Huawei and ZTE are no strangers to U Mobile.
PLDT reduces losses from cable theft and vandalism by 50%

1 week ago | lightreading.com | Gigi Onag

Philippine telco PLDT said it has halved the material cost of cable theft and vandalism over the past three years by partnering at the grassroots level to help protect its physical assets. Gigi Onag, Senior Editor, APACPLDT said that the material cost of its infrastructure losses due to copper cable theft and vandalism has been reduced by 50% in three years. The company attributes this to its grassroots campaign, which involves partnerships with local communities, local governments and the police.
KDDI unveils direct-to-cell satellite service using Starlink

1 week ago | lightreading.com | Gigi Onag

KDDI-owned AU launched Japan's first direct satellite service, connecting 40% of remote island and mountain populations that terrestrial networks cannot reach. Gigi Onag, Senior Editor, APACKDDI's AU has launched what it claims is the first direct-to-cell satellite service in Japan, allowing the mobile operator to connect 40% of the coverage area that its terrestrial network cannot reach because of the country's rugged geography.
Chunghwa Telecom earmarks $115M for satellite investment program

2 weeks ago | lightreading.com | Gigi Onag

Chunghwa Telecom has allocated US$115 million for a satellite investment program as the Taiwanese operator delivers on its commitment to network resilience by diversifying its communications infrastructure. In a filing to the Taiwan Stock Exchange on Tuesday, the company said its board of directors has approved the acquisition of a geostationary orbit (GEO) satellite from US-based Astranis Space Technologies. Further details were not disclosed.
Globe Telecom tower deals nearing finish line

2 weeks ago | lightreading.com | Gigi Onag

The Philippine mobile operator has officially handed over 91.2% of its towers in its sale and leaseback portfolio, generating proceeds of approximately PHP87.9 billion ($1.53 billion). Gigi Onag, Senior Editor, APACGlobe Telecom moved closer to completing its 96.4 billion Philippine pesos (US$1.68 billion) tower sale and leaseback deals by transferring the last 121 of the 447 towers sold to the Aboitiz-backed Unity Digital Infrastructure.
AirTrunk to develop recycled water supply for data centers in Johor

2 weeks ago | lightreading.com | Gigi Onag

AirTrunk has partnered with Johor Special Water (JSW) to develop a recycled water supply for its two data center campuses in Johor, Malaysia. Gigi Onag, Senior Editor, APACAirTrunk, a Sydney-based data center operator, has partnered with Johor Special Water (JSW) on an initiative to jointly develop a recycled water supply for its two hyperscale data center campuses in the southern Malaysian state. The recycled water supply scheme is said to be the largest of its kind in Malaysia.
U Mobile set to build Malaysia's second 5G network after receipt of award letter

3 weeks ago | lightreading.com | Gigi Onag

U Mobile received the official letter of award from the Malaysian telecom regulator, paving the way for the construction of the country's second 5G network. Gigi Onag, Senior Editor, APACU Mobile announced on Saturday that it has received the official letter of award from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to build the country's second 5G network.
No decision on spinoff of global telecom businesses

3 weeks ago | lightreading.com | Gigi Onag

Hong Kong-based conglomerate CK Hutchison is reportedly in the early stages of preparations for a spinoff of its global telecom assets in a deal worth between $13 billion and $19 billion. Gigi Onag, Senior Editor, APACCK Hutchison Holdings said it has not made a decision to spin off its global telecom assets and list the new company on the London Stock Exchange.
South Korea develops AI spam blocker for smartphones as spam drops 30% in 2H 2024

3 weeks ago | lightreading.com | Gigi Onag

The Korea Communications Commission has developed an AI spam blocker that automatically detects suspicious messages on smartphones. Other measures have already resulted in a nearly 30% drop in the amount of spam received and reported in the second half of 2024.
Starlink gets the green light to launch a five-year pilot service in Vietnam

4 weeks ago | lightreading.com | Gigi Onag

The Vietnamese government has allowed SpaceX to provide Starlink satellite internet services in the country on a trial basis for five years, exempting the low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite provider from a regulation that requires foreign investors to form a joint venture with a local company that limits their ownership to 50%.