Catching up; Asian nations push to modernize communications
Article Abstract:
Developing Asian and Pacific Rim countries with phone systems built 30 to 40 years ago cannot upgrade their communication systems fast enough to keep up with an annual growth rate that escalated from a 4.7 percent average in the years 1985-1989 to 6 percent in 1990. Although developed countries like Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore and South Korea have state-of-the-art communications systems, due largely to government regulatory and financial support, poorer countries struggle to provide basic phone service to tens of millions of people in rural areas; the market is booming. Taiwan expects to spend US$7.39 billion on telecommunications through 1996. A contract in Thailand will provide 3 million phone lines for US$3.4 billion. China, whose infrastructure is the worst in Asia, plans to run more than 1,500 miles of fiber optic cable from Shanghai to Guangdong by 1993. Asia has mostly ordered basic equipment, but digital switches, cellular networks and other sophisticated equipment will sustain sales growth in the 1990s.
Publication Name: The Wall Street Journal Western Edition
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0193-2241
Year: 1991
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Cable & Wireless unit spearheads plan for Asian regional fiber-optic network
Article Abstract:
Hong Kong Telecom International Ltd (HKTI) is one of the leading participants in an effort to improve communications in the Asia-Pacific region with the use of underwater fiber optic networks. HKTI, which is planning to invest $161.3 million, is the sole supplier of long-distance service in the region and has enough users to ensure that the investment will pay for itself. The Asian-Pacific region's current telecommunications system has been taxed in recent years and estimates are that it has increased 55 percent between 1988 and 1990. Fiber-optic cabling is a costly proposition and cooperation has become imperative to install the telecommunications system. Fiber-optics offer a cost-effective alternative to satellite telecommunications since the they surpass satellites in quality and capacity.
Publication Name: The Wall Street Journal Western Edition
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0193-2241
Year: 1990
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AT&T enters joint venture with Hutchison; link covers electronic mail and facsimile services in Hong Kong and China
Article Abstract:
AT&T agrees to establish a joint venture with Hutchison Telecommunications Ltd, of Hong Kong. The agreement, which calls for a new company called Hutchison-AT&T Network Services, involves electronic mail and facsimile. services. AT&T will thus expand its telecommunications services, bringing its EasyLink Services International to Hong Kong, China and Macao. The new venture means competition to Hong Kong's franchise holder for international telephone services, Hong Kong Telecom International Ltd.
Publication Name: The Wall Street Journal Western Edition
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0193-2241
Year: 1991
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Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
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