World Telecommunication and Information Society Day: 3 telecoms execs who are driving innovation in Asia
Aiming to overcome the digital divide, these executives are leading the charge to drive innovation in telecoms throughout the region
Observed annually on May 17, World Telecommunication and Information Society Day raises awareness about the transformative potential of the Internet and of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in addressing the digital divide. The global event highlights what governments and private companies can do to reach out to the 2.6 billion people who remain unconnected from the many benefits of technology, and explore how digital innovation can help connect the globe.
Throughout the region, business leaders in the telecoms industry on our Asia’s Most Influential list are driving innovation to provide universal access to digital technologies. Spearheading the development of 5G and building ICT infrastructure and products, they harness technology’s full potential to overcome digital disparities so that prosperity can be enjoyed by everyone.
“Having been the first to launch 5G technology in the Philippines, we are well-positioned to capitalise on opportunities relating to this once we see relevant 5G use cases,” said Ernest Cu, CEO of Globe, during a fireside chat at the Mobile World Congress in March 2024. At the Barcelona event, the telecoms executive further identified the sectors he believes 5G can make a difference, naming health, education, finance and entertainment as the most relevant.
Committed to enhancing 5G accessibility and affordability in the country, Globe has established more than 5,000 5G sites that facilitate almost 98 per cent outdoor coverage in the National Capital Region and over 92 per cent in Visayas and Mindanao. The telecoms group also reports that over 5.8 million devices were connected to its 5G network in December 2023. “We are focused on prioritising areas with high 5G device penetration and ensuring that when that killer use case arrives, we will be ready to scale more quickly and capitalise on that opportunity,” added Cu.
