"Bite-sized" updates from TRPC on tech-related developments in APAC. For April 2020, we look at how governments in APAC have been approaching the need for more connectivity and capacity in light of COVID-19 and more people working from/staying home.

1. TRPC Digital Bytes
April 2020

2. COVID-19 UPDATES
• COAI expects Q1 revenues to take a major hit due to weak subscriber growth and
interrupted 4G expansion plans.
• COAI had initially called on DoT to urgently release additional spectrum on a temporary
basis after data traffic spiked by 15-20% following the announcement of the nationwide
lockdown.
• OTT video providers, such as Amazon, Zee, TikTok, Netflix, as well as Google and Facebook
have agreed to adopt measures to reduce bit rates on cellular networks.
India
• NBN Co has set up a working group comprising of the five largest telcos to a coordinate
responses to the surge in network demand due to Australians working from home during
the COVID-19 crisis.
Australia
TRPC – Digital Bytes April 2020

3. COVID-19 UPDATES
• DICT directed the NTC to monitor the compliance of mobile network operators and ISPs in
providing ample bandwidth allocation and availability of service and signal in light of the
COVID-19 crisis.
• The Better Broadband Alliance (BBA) has asked the IATF-EID in charge of the COVID-19
response to craft an action plan to address connectivity issues in the Philippines, which
have become increasingly urgent in light of the pandemic.
Philippines
• The Indonesian Internet Service Providers Association (APJII) has asked Kominfo to provide
relief for their Telecommunications Rights Fee (BHP) payments and Universal Service
Obligation (USO) contributions which are due in late April.
• Kominfo has instructed mobile operators to improve their services by adding capacity and
deploying additional base stations in high-traffic areas to support the government’s policy
to study and work from home
Indonesia
TRPC – Digital Bytes April 2020

4. COVID-19 UPDATES
• The NBTC is giving individuals 10 GB of free mobile data to support e-learning and
teleworking.
• In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, DTAC has announced an acceleration of its
network upgrade of Massive MIMO to triple network capacity.
• True Group has announced the tripling of its network bandwidth capacity to ensure its
fibre, internet broadband, cable TV, and mobile services can tolerate usage spikes arising
from the COVID-19 crisis.
Thailand
South Korea
• The three major telcos are providing free access for teachers, students and parents when
viewing educational content with online classes starting at elementary through high
schools as schools have been closed due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
TRPC – Digital Bytes April 2020

5. 5G UPDATES
• China Mobile, Hutchison 3, HKT launched commercial 5G services on 1 Apr.
Hong Kong
• NEC ships first 5G radio unit for 2.7GHz massive MIMO, under partnership with Rakuten Mobile.
• NTT DOCOMO, KDDI, SoftBank all launch 5G services in last week of Mar. Rakuten Mobile to
launch in Jun.
Japan
• True Move H Universal Communication (TUC) has announced the launch of its commercial 5G
services on the 2600MHz spectrum range.
Thailand
China
• MIIT has instructed telcos to expedite their procurement of 5G equipment and will support
telcos in ramping up standalone (SA) 5G network coverage and capacity.
• All 3 telcos have brought forward their NSA deployment targets from end-2020 to Q3.
TRPC – Digital Bytes April 2020

6. TDD ADOPTION
Myanmar
PTD released a document
outlining steps to adopt Time
Division Duplexing (TDD) across
the entire 2.6GHz spectrum.
Vietnam
MIC released draft plans for the
2300-2400MHz bands and 2500-
2690MHz bands proposing two
distinct TDD-based technical
approaches.
TRPC – Digital Bytes April 2020

7. INTERNET GOVERNANCE
TRPC – Digital Bytes April 2020
• The Ministry of Transport and Communications issued a directive compelling all
telcos operating in the country to block 221 websites under section 77 of the
Telecommunications Law, which allows the govt to instruct that sites be blocked
during emergency situations.
Myanmar
• Indonesia opens a public consultation on proposed changes to regulations on
telecommunication services, including:
• Opening use of Universal Service Obligation infrastructure to
Telecommunication Service Providers
• Increasing flexibility of use cases for spectrum allocations based on class
permits, for IoT related services.
Indonesia

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TRPC is a boutique consulting firm which specialises in
telecommunications and information technology, particularly
the policy and regulatory issues associated with national
information infrastructure development, with an emphasis on
the Asia-Pacific region. We offer specialised advisory,
research, and training services, with a focus on economics,
regulatory and strategic business issues, and possess an
extensive network of industry experts and professionals
throughout the region.