S&P Global Market Intelligence provides a biweekly roundup of the latest developments in technology in Asia-Pacific.
TOP STORIES
* Microsoft Corp. joined forces with Xiaomi Inc. to work on cloud computing, artificial intelligence and devices. Among other things, the companies will focus on exploring Microsoft Azure cloud platform to support Xiaomi's user data storage, bandwidth, computing and other cloud services in international markets, according to a Feb. 23 news release. The Chinese electronics and software company will leverage the partnership with Microsoft for future development of its laptop and laptop-type for the international markets.
* Australia's Telstra Corp. Ltd. plans to offer its 5G network in major cities and regional areas by the end of 2019. The company will conduct trials with Ericsson AB, Intel Corp. and Qualcomm Inc. and deploy more than 1,000 small cells during 2018, ZDNet reported Feb. 25.
* Telecom operators and tech firms including China Mobile Ltd., Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. and Tencent Holdings Ltd., along with a number of other companies, have teamed up to set up the 5G Slicing Association, a new industry body that will work to tackle requirements and potential applications for 5G network slicing, according to a Feb. 27 news release. The 5G Slicing Association intends to study key technical issues, cooperate with slicing related standards development organizations and promote test beds and trials, to understand network requirements of different verticals.
CLOUD
* Amazon.com Inc. struck a partnership with CHIEF, a division of Chunghwa Telecom, to expand its cloud businesses in Taiwan, UDN reported March 2.
* Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. unit Alibaba Cloud Computing Co. expanded its European offering with eight new products in the region, covering areas such as big data, AI, infrastructure and security, according to a Feb. 27 news release.
5G AND THE INTERNET OF THINGS
* Toshiba Corp. unit Toshiba Digital Solutions Corp. on March 6 said it will set up Toshiba Digital & Consulting, a new company that will capitalize on demand for internet of things and AI.
* Spanish telecom giant Telefónica SA on March 5 said it agreed to team up with China Unicom in the field of internet of things. The deal will see the two companies gaining access to each other's networks while working together to deploy IoT services across their respective footprints.
* KDDI Corp. on March 1 said it selected Canadian internet of things solutions company Sierra Wireless Inc.'s AirPrime HL78 cellular module for LTE-M internet of things applications.
* Singtel, together with Ericsson AB, said Feb. 28 that it made cellular internet of things network commercially available in Singapore.
* ZTE Corp. struck a memorandum of understanding with MTN Group Ltd. on 5G commercialization in the Middle East and Africa, according to a Feb. 28 news release.
* Vodafone Group Plc on Feb. 25 said it partnered with Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. to co-develop and launch internet of things-powered smart home services tailored for the European market. The Samsung Group unit is also working with Reliance Jio to deploy a nationwide cellular internet of things network in India.
* Hitachi Ltd.'s Thailand unit said it will launch the Lumada internet of things platform locally this year, Manager reported Feb. 25.
VIRTUAL REALITY AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
* Naver Corp. unit Naver Labs Corp. joined forces with global mapping and location data company Here Global BV to automate the process of mapping indoor spaces based on AI technology, ZDNet Korea reported Feb. 28.
* Samsung Electronics is planning to launch its AI speaker in the second half of this year, with the aim of connecting all Samsung devices to it using internet of things technologies, ZDNet Korea reported Feb. 27.
* Adobe Systems Inc. will set up an AI lab in Hyderabad, India, according to a Feb. 20 report by The Hindu.
