Fitch Ratings has today said in a just published report that the 2010 outlook for the overall Asia-Pacific telecom sector remains stable. "Most operators will be able to continue to weather any adverse economic conditions and maintain their credit profiles thanks to robust liquidity, relatively low gearing, and strong free cash flow (FCF) generation," says Matt Jamieson, Senior Director and Head of Fitch's Asia Pacific Telecoms Media and Technology team. Although competitive factors look set to drive revenue growth and margins lower in 2010E, curtailed capital expenditure budgets are likely to result in higher FCF generation for the average Asia-Pacific telecom operator.
Fitch expects top-line revenues for the 23 telecom operators it rates across Asia Pacific to rise by an average of only 2.7% in 2010E, which, although up from the prior year, is well below 2008's 7.7%. "Whereas average revenue growth has historically remained above GDP growth, the sector appears to have reached an inflexion point in 2009 - with average revenue growth below the weighted average Asia-Pacific country GDP growth of 1.9%," adds Mr. Jamieson. "While the economic downturn may play a small part, rising penetration levels and tariff-discounting in emerging markets, including China India, Indonesia and Thailand, are the more important factors keeping a lid on the average telecom operator's revenue growth in 2010," adds Mr. Jamieson.
The average EBITDA margin for Asia-Pacific telecom operators is estimated to have fallen to 38.9% in 2009E from 40.2% in 2008, and the agency anticipates that ongoing competitive pressures will result in a further decline to 38.0% in 2010E. Cash flow from operations (CFO) remains strong; and with aggregate capex likely to fall (particularly in Australia, China, India and Indonesia), the agency expects a 61% increase in aggregate FCF generation during 2010. However the agency forecasts the median operator among the 23 to generate slightly negative FCF; and, in conjunction with falling EBITDA margins, Fitch feels that the median leverage ratio (as measured by adjusted net debt/EBITDAR) will actually increase to 1.7x (2009: 1.5x).
While credit metrics may deteriorate slightly in 2010, Fitch believes that, in general, most operators' financial profiles will remain comfortable for their current rating levels.
The report, entitled "Asia Pacific Telecoms Credit Outlook 2010", is now available on the agency's website, www.fitchratings.com. The report also contains 11 one-page country summary outlooks covering the major credit issues for the agency's rated telecom issuers across the region.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Sunday, January 24, 2010
AIS ANNOUNCES 2010 VISION ON TELECOMS INDUSTRY INTRODUCING THE CONCEPT “ECOSYSTEM,”
AIS ANNOUNCES 2010 VISION ON TELECOMS INDUSTRY INTRODUCING THE CONCEPT “ECOSYSTEM,” COOPERATION, DEPENDENCE AND GROWTH TOGETHER FOR HIGHEST BENEFIT OF THAI PEOPLE
AIS announces 2010 Vision on Telecoms Industry, introducing the concept Ecosystem - the ecosystem of communication world gearing towards synergy, dependence and growth together, delivering highest benefits to every group of Thai consumers, riding the trend of communication technology convergence featuring “Total Communication.”
The management team of Advanced Info Service (Public) Co., Ltd., led by Mr. Somprasong Boonyachai, Vice Chairman Of The Board Mr. Wichian Mektrakarn, CEO and Mr. Somchai Lertsuttiwong, EVP Marketing, co-host the public conference on the overall picture of telecoms industry and AIS direction emphasizing orchestrated cooperation with alliance just like the ecosystem.
In 2009, the telecom usage of Thai people recorded a significant growth, particularly in mobile Internet, wireless Internet and Broadband Internet, reflecting consumer behavior obviously switching to convergence service. They use mobile phone to call, connect Internet, watch TV, download music, upload photos or videos to Social Network and Chat through BlackBerry. This formulates a “Total Communication.” AIS has developed service in tandem with such behavior. Besides retaining No. 1 Mobile Operator, today AIS plays increasing roles as;
- Largest distribution channel of Digital Music with over 20 million downloads, 60% of which represent the download through Call Center.
- Largest Internet Service Provider (ISP) with over 6.5 million Mobile Phone Internet users
- Pioneer of Lifestyle for consumers in entering the experience of Mobile Email, Social Networking through Smart Phone such as BlackBerry occupying over 100,000 users.
- Market builder for Wireless Internet by launching AIS Aircard serving over 300,000 customers, or over 20% of Internet use in Thailand.
Mr. Somprasong unveiled “For the year 2010, demand and usage behavior will remain the same as in the past year. More concentration and enhancement will be placed in Mobile Internet, Broadband and download service via wireless network. To deliver services that completely meet demand, every part associated with telecommunication industry need to capitalize on its best resource to work in harmony and proceed together in the orchestrated uniform, depend on each other and promote Seamless Connection featuring Ecosystem – the Ecosystem of communication world in an effort to creating collaborative service providing optimal solution for consumers as well as contributing to the reinforcement of country’s telecoms industry.
With regard to the composition of Ecosystem, Mr. Wichian added “Initially, we look into 5 integral parts including Device, Customer Assistant, Content Partners, Solution Partners and Business Alliances from a broad spectrum of industry. The collaboration incorporated by the proposed concept is believed to liberate the frame of telecommunication services, give unexpected experience from best quality, enhance business management efficiency and render privileges upgrading living standard of consumers.”
“However, to ensure the unsurpassed services provided by strong commitment, network quality serves as the key and solid fundamentals. Over the past 20 years, AIS has ceaselessly developed its network recognized as “Most trusted network” as a result of service coverage coming with network quality as well as convergence of Wireless and Wired-line technology. Lately, AIS is considered the only Mobile Operator offering widest 3G service area following the cooperation with TOT (Public) Co., Ltd., the Concession Owner. AIS customers have options to access wireless Internet service via EDGE/GPRS network embracing nationwide coverage and 3G of 900 MHz and 2100 MHz frequency”
Mr. Somchai stressed the benefits of consumers “When the fundamentals are well prepared, the functionalities based on Ecosystem will continue productively, shape service formats and fuel the growth of telecommunications industry due to the harmonious and balanced living of all parties. For example, the marketing of communication device will include not only the sourcing of superb handsets for customers, but also the synergy between Service Providers tailoring service packages and customized contents as well as solutions that bring ultimately exclusive experiences. This exemplifies how the working concept is materialized.”
In the AIS Vision 2010, AIS introduces some services from the cooperation with Partners, such as;
1. Nokia N900, the latest Smart Phone from Nokia that allows AIS customers to gain great experience from Internet Application and bundling package
2. BlackBerry New Bold, the latest innovation from BlackBerry, available for reservation today
3. AIS 3G Aircard 7 Mbps, the fastest Wireless Broadband connection to the Internet
4. AIS App Store connecting AIS customers to the unlimited world of Contents coming with a broad array of Applications to choose from
5. MSN SIM, a direct connection to MSN from your handsets
6. Mobile Pay wave Actual creating Contactless Mobile Payment Service
7. Variety Superior Privilege from various exclusive for AIS customer only
“As the Total Telecoms Service Leader, we strongly believe in the power of all players related to this industry and will be ready to play an intermediary role in rendering best services from the collaboration under the concept Ecosystem to every group of consumers. Not only will this paradigm shift benefit people, but also propel sustainable growth of Thai telecommunications industry.”
AIS announces 2010 Vision on Telecoms Industry, introducing the concept Ecosystem - the ecosystem of communication world gearing towards synergy, dependence and growth together, delivering highest benefits to every group of Thai consumers, riding the trend of communication technology convergence featuring “Total Communication.”
The management team of Advanced Info Service (Public) Co., Ltd., led by Mr. Somprasong Boonyachai, Vice Chairman Of The Board Mr. Wichian Mektrakarn, CEO and Mr. Somchai Lertsuttiwong, EVP Marketing, co-host the public conference on the overall picture of telecoms industry and AIS direction emphasizing orchestrated cooperation with alliance just like the ecosystem.
In 2009, the telecom usage of Thai people recorded a significant growth, particularly in mobile Internet, wireless Internet and Broadband Internet, reflecting consumer behavior obviously switching to convergence service. They use mobile phone to call, connect Internet, watch TV, download music, upload photos or videos to Social Network and Chat through BlackBerry. This formulates a “Total Communication.” AIS has developed service in tandem with such behavior. Besides retaining No. 1 Mobile Operator, today AIS plays increasing roles as;
- Largest distribution channel of Digital Music with over 20 million downloads, 60% of which represent the download through Call Center.
- Largest Internet Service Provider (ISP) with over 6.5 million Mobile Phone Internet users
- Pioneer of Lifestyle for consumers in entering the experience of Mobile Email, Social Networking through Smart Phone such as BlackBerry occupying over 100,000 users.
- Market builder for Wireless Internet by launching AIS Aircard serving over 300,000 customers, or over 20% of Internet use in Thailand.
Mr. Somprasong unveiled “For the year 2010, demand and usage behavior will remain the same as in the past year. More concentration and enhancement will be placed in Mobile Internet, Broadband and download service via wireless network. To deliver services that completely meet demand, every part associated with telecommunication industry need to capitalize on its best resource to work in harmony and proceed together in the orchestrated uniform, depend on each other and promote Seamless Connection featuring Ecosystem – the Ecosystem of communication world in an effort to creating collaborative service providing optimal solution for consumers as well as contributing to the reinforcement of country’s telecoms industry.
With regard to the composition of Ecosystem, Mr. Wichian added “Initially, we look into 5 integral parts including Device, Customer Assistant, Content Partners, Solution Partners and Business Alliances from a broad spectrum of industry. The collaboration incorporated by the proposed concept is believed to liberate the frame of telecommunication services, give unexpected experience from best quality, enhance business management efficiency and render privileges upgrading living standard of consumers.”
“However, to ensure the unsurpassed services provided by strong commitment, network quality serves as the key and solid fundamentals. Over the past 20 years, AIS has ceaselessly developed its network recognized as “Most trusted network” as a result of service coverage coming with network quality as well as convergence of Wireless and Wired-line technology. Lately, AIS is considered the only Mobile Operator offering widest 3G service area following the cooperation with TOT (Public) Co., Ltd., the Concession Owner. AIS customers have options to access wireless Internet service via EDGE/GPRS network embracing nationwide coverage and 3G of 900 MHz and 2100 MHz frequency”
Mr. Somchai stressed the benefits of consumers “When the fundamentals are well prepared, the functionalities based on Ecosystem will continue productively, shape service formats and fuel the growth of telecommunications industry due to the harmonious and balanced living of all parties. For example, the marketing of communication device will include not only the sourcing of superb handsets for customers, but also the synergy between Service Providers tailoring service packages and customized contents as well as solutions that bring ultimately exclusive experiences. This exemplifies how the working concept is materialized.”
In the AIS Vision 2010, AIS introduces some services from the cooperation with Partners, such as;
1. Nokia N900, the latest Smart Phone from Nokia that allows AIS customers to gain great experience from Internet Application and bundling package
2. BlackBerry New Bold, the latest innovation from BlackBerry, available for reservation today
3. AIS 3G Aircard 7 Mbps, the fastest Wireless Broadband connection to the Internet
4. AIS App Store connecting AIS customers to the unlimited world of Contents coming with a broad array of Applications to choose from
5. MSN SIM, a direct connection to MSN from your handsets
6. Mobile Pay wave Actual creating Contactless Mobile Payment Service
7. Variety Superior Privilege from various exclusive for AIS customer only
“As the Total Telecoms Service Leader, we strongly believe in the power of all players related to this industry and will be ready to play an intermediary role in rendering best services from the collaboration under the concept Ecosystem to every group of consumers. Not only will this paradigm shift benefit people, but also propel sustainable growth of Thai telecommunications industry.”
Sunday, January 17, 2010
dtac responds to the social networking trend by preparing dtac Internet especially to serve New Year greetings
Pakorn Pannachet, Head of dtac’s VAS Division, said dtac prepared its nationwide network to support traffic during the New Year. dtac realizes that the 3 main social networking systems namely Facebook, Twitter and BBM (BlackBerry Messaging) are the very quickly accelerating trend of 2009 while SMS and MMS are still gaining in popularity compared with last year.
“We have seen the increasing use of smart phones throughout this year. At present dtac customers use 400,000-500,000 smart phones and we believe that New Year greetings via smart phones should focus on social networking especially through Facebook and Twitter. In Thailand about 1.7 million people are using Facebook and about 60,000 people are doing Twitter. For the dtac customers who uses dtac’s BlackBerry Service, we have prepared our network to support more convenient and faster BBM use in Thailand through dtac Internet.”
“SMS and MMS should not be less popular than they were in the past years. We expect New Year greetings via SMS to increase from 49.95 million messages last year to about 65-70 million messages and those via MMS should rise from 656,000 messages last year to about 800,000-1 million messages. dtac has prepared its systems to support the transmission of 7,500 messages per second, up from the normal capacity of 2,000 messages per second. So customers are assured that dtac’s network can meet their demands limitlessly,” Pakorn said.
Besides, dtac has also prepared its network by increasing channel capacities at New Year celebration venues in major provinces of all regions. For Bangkok, it has prepared mobile units and increased the capacities of base stations to serve communication traffic surges in several areas including bus terminals, airports and highways leading to other provinces.
“We have seen the increasing use of smart phones throughout this year. At present dtac customers use 400,000-500,000 smart phones and we believe that New Year greetings via smart phones should focus on social networking especially through Facebook and Twitter. In Thailand about 1.7 million people are using Facebook and about 60,000 people are doing Twitter. For the dtac customers who uses dtac’s BlackBerry Service, we have prepared our network to support more convenient and faster BBM use in Thailand through dtac Internet.”
“SMS and MMS should not be less popular than they were in the past years. We expect New Year greetings via SMS to increase from 49.95 million messages last year to about 65-70 million messages and those via MMS should rise from 656,000 messages last year to about 800,000-1 million messages. dtac has prepared its systems to support the transmission of 7,500 messages per second, up from the normal capacity of 2,000 messages per second. So customers are assured that dtac’s network can meet their demands limitlessly,” Pakorn said.
Besides, dtac has also prepared its network by increasing channel capacities at New Year celebration venues in major provinces of all regions. For Bangkok, it has prepared mobile units and increased the capacities of base stations to serve communication traffic surges in several areas including bus terminals, airports and highways leading to other provinces.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
TrueMove Teams Up With Japan’s Mediaseek to Launch QR Code Reader Application in Thailand Paving the way to a new TrueMove 3G experience
To reinforce its position as Thailand’s most innovative service provider, TrueMove today officially launched QR Code technology in Thailand in collaboration with Mediaseek, Japan’s leading QR Code company. This new innovation will pave the way towards 3G services in the future and give customers a new experience in accessing content and services. With TrueMove’s “Fun Living Lifestyle” concept, Thai consumers can now easily access content via camera phones such as music downloads or watch TV and receive special privileges. The QR Code opens a new era of exciting Interactive marketing campaigns and unique promotions. Learn more about QR Code and TrueMove 3G and get a chance to win an iPhone 3G S by visiting www.truemove.com/3G from December 15, 2009 – January 15, 2010. Consumers can now experience QR Code and download the free QR Code Reader application onto their camera phones by visiting http://m.truelife.com
The QR Code (also known as a matrix code) is a two-dimensional bar code that a mobile phone equipped with special software can read using its camera, a process called mobile tagging. Information embedded in the QR code such as a URL can then launch the mobile phone’s browser, establishing a hardlink to any location on the Internet. By simply taking a photo of a QR Code on a poster, advertisement, display or practically anywhere, TrueMove customers can automatically access related content over the Internet via their mobile phones without having to type the necessary details or the URL.
According to Mr. Piroon Paireepairit, Director, Multimedia Services Content & Marketing, True Corporation Plc., “Our company’s exclusive collaboration with Mediaseek brings one of the most popular and trendy mobile phone applications in Japan to the Thai market. TrueMove, Thailand’s leading communications innovator, is delighted to offer Thai consumers the opportunity join the QR Code revolution under the concept of ‘Fun Living Lifestyle.’ They will be able to access content such as news updates and music downloads as well as watch TV or music videos and receive special privileges easily by using their camera phones to scan QR Codes from marketing materials such as posters, leaflets and point-of-purchase displays. TrueMove has already started using QR Codes to promote its 3G trial service, and customers will enjoy an increasing number of special benefits as we integrate QR Codes into a variety of other lifestyle applications.”
“Mediaseek is a fully-integrated IT solution provider company, and our QR Code reader software holds the number one share in the Japanese mobile phone market,” said Mr. Naoki Nishio, President & CEO of Mediaseek Inc. “We have exclusive rights for the “i-nigma” service, which is based on the most widely-used mobile barcode reader in Japan and has been redesigned for overseas mobile phone handsets. We are pleased to partner with TrueMove to offer our breakthrough QR Code technology to Thai consumers.”
Developed in Japan, QR Codes are very popular among Japanese mobile phone users for marketing campaigns, recording data such as addresses or providing information for almost any other purpose. QR Codes can also activate SMS for response messages, offering a new level of interactive mobile marketing. QR Code reader software can run on all major mobile phone platforms.
To experience using QR Codes, TrueMove customers can download the free reader software onto their camera phones by visiting http://m.truelife.com and participate in the special marketing campaign to win an iPhone 3G S at www.truemove.com/3G from December 15, 2009 – January 15, 2010.
QR Code® is registered trademarks of Denso Wave Incorporated in Japan and other countries.
The QR Code (also known as a matrix code) is a two-dimensional bar code that a mobile phone equipped with special software can read using its camera, a process called mobile tagging. Information embedded in the QR code such as a URL can then launch the mobile phone’s browser, establishing a hardlink to any location on the Internet. By simply taking a photo of a QR Code on a poster, advertisement, display or practically anywhere, TrueMove customers can automatically access related content over the Internet via their mobile phones without having to type the necessary details or the URL.
According to Mr. Piroon Paireepairit, Director, Multimedia Services Content & Marketing, True Corporation Plc., “Our company’s exclusive collaboration with Mediaseek brings one of the most popular and trendy mobile phone applications in Japan to the Thai market. TrueMove, Thailand’s leading communications innovator, is delighted to offer Thai consumers the opportunity join the QR Code revolution under the concept of ‘Fun Living Lifestyle.’ They will be able to access content such as news updates and music downloads as well as watch TV or music videos and receive special privileges easily by using their camera phones to scan QR Codes from marketing materials such as posters, leaflets and point-of-purchase displays. TrueMove has already started using QR Codes to promote its 3G trial service, and customers will enjoy an increasing number of special benefits as we integrate QR Codes into a variety of other lifestyle applications.”
“Mediaseek is a fully-integrated IT solution provider company, and our QR Code reader software holds the number one share in the Japanese mobile phone market,” said Mr. Naoki Nishio, President & CEO of Mediaseek Inc. “We have exclusive rights for the “i-nigma” service, which is based on the most widely-used mobile barcode reader in Japan and has been redesigned for overseas mobile phone handsets. We are pleased to partner with TrueMove to offer our breakthrough QR Code technology to Thai consumers.”
Developed in Japan, QR Codes are very popular among Japanese mobile phone users for marketing campaigns, recording data such as addresses or providing information for almost any other purpose. QR Codes can also activate SMS for response messages, offering a new level of interactive mobile marketing. QR Code reader software can run on all major mobile phone platforms.
To experience using QR Codes, TrueMove customers can download the free reader software onto their camera phones by visiting http://m.truelife.com and participate in the special marketing campaign to win an iPhone 3G S at www.truemove.com/3G from December 15, 2009 – January 15, 2010.
QR Code® is registered trademarks of Denso Wave Incorporated in Japan and other countries.
TeliaSonera and Huawei Launch World’s Fastest Commercial Mobile Broadband Network with Huawei’s 4G/LTE Solutions
TeliaSonera and Huawei Launch World’s Fastest Commercial Mobile Broadband Network with Huawei’s 4G/LTE Solutions
Huawei, a leader in providing next-generation telecommunications network solutions for operators around the world, and TeliaSonera, the largest telecoms operator in Scandinavia and the Baltic countries, today jointly announced the deployment of the world’s first LTE commercial network in Oslo, Norway. These 4G services offer maximum speeds of up to 100 Mb/s and are approximately 10 times faster than existing 3G networks.
TeliaSonera’s customers will be the first in the world to enjoy simultaneous mobile broadband services such as high definition (HD) video conferencing in mobile environments and a variety of HD video programs via multiple terminal devices; applications that cannot be realized in current 3G networks.
Mr. Kenneth Karlberg, President and Head of Mobility Services TeliaSonera, said: “We are very proud to be the first operator in the world to offer our customers 4G services. Thanks to the successful cooperation with Huawei, we can offer 4G to our customers in Oslo earlier than originally planned.”
As a leading provider of end-to-end 4G/LTE solutions, Huawei delivered both network infrastructures and services to TeliaSonera, such as access network, core network, operation support system, and network planning and optimization. Its field proven fourth-generation base stations and SAE (System Architecture Evolution) solution ensure the stability of the network and enable fast deployment.
Yu Chengdong, President of Huawei Europe, said: “In partnership with TeliaSonera, Huawei began this journey eleven months ago to introduce the world’s most advanced mobile broadband technology to the residents of Oslo. This milestone, which was achieved in a short period of time, reflects Huawei’s unwavering commitment towards accelerating the commercialization of LTE/SAE solutions. Operators such as TeliaSonera, are now able to to fully realize economic benefits from the many new applications that can only be made possible with ultra broadband services.”
To date, Huawei has constructed over 25 LTE commercial and trial networks and has made more than 3,300 LTE/SAE contributions to 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project).
About Huawei
Huawei is a leader in providing next generation telecommunications networks, and now serves 36 of the world’s top 50 operators, along with over one billion users worldwide. The company is committed to providing innovative and customized products, services and solutions to create long-term value and growth potential for its customers.
Huawei, a leader in providing next-generation telecommunications network solutions for operators around the world, and TeliaSonera, the largest telecoms operator in Scandinavia and the Baltic countries, today jointly announced the deployment of the world’s first LTE commercial network in Oslo, Norway. These 4G services offer maximum speeds of up to 100 Mb/s and are approximately 10 times faster than existing 3G networks.
TeliaSonera’s customers will be the first in the world to enjoy simultaneous mobile broadband services such as high definition (HD) video conferencing in mobile environments and a variety of HD video programs via multiple terminal devices; applications that cannot be realized in current 3G networks.
Mr. Kenneth Karlberg, President and Head of Mobility Services TeliaSonera, said: “We are very proud to be the first operator in the world to offer our customers 4G services. Thanks to the successful cooperation with Huawei, we can offer 4G to our customers in Oslo earlier than originally planned.”
As a leading provider of end-to-end 4G/LTE solutions, Huawei delivered both network infrastructures and services to TeliaSonera, such as access network, core network, operation support system, and network planning and optimization. Its field proven fourth-generation base stations and SAE (System Architecture Evolution) solution ensure the stability of the network and enable fast deployment.
Yu Chengdong, President of Huawei Europe, said: “In partnership with TeliaSonera, Huawei began this journey eleven months ago to introduce the world’s most advanced mobile broadband technology to the residents of Oslo. This milestone, which was achieved in a short period of time, reflects Huawei’s unwavering commitment towards accelerating the commercialization of LTE/SAE solutions. Operators such as TeliaSonera, are now able to to fully realize economic benefits from the many new applications that can only be made possible with ultra broadband services.”
To date, Huawei has constructed over 25 LTE commercial and trial networks and has made more than 3,300 LTE/SAE contributions to 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project).
About Huawei
Huawei is a leader in providing next generation telecommunications networks, and now serves 36 of the world’s top 50 operators, along with over one billion users worldwide. The company is committed to providing innovative and customized products, services and solutions to create long-term value and growth potential for its customers.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Health Care, Telecommunications, And Chemicals Likely Will See More Upgrades Than Other Sectors In 2010, Article Says
Credit quality is slowly beginning to stabilize across nonfinancial industries, though rating activity remains more negative than positive, said an article published today by Standard & Poor's, titled "Three U.S. Industries With The Greatest Potential To Improve Their Credit Quality In 2010 (Premium)." As the economy slowly rebounds in 2010, we expect to see areas of improvement, though upgrades likely will trail downgrades in most sectors.
"After reviewing the distribution of outlooks and CreditWatch listings, ratings trends, the performance of bond spreads, and recent operating results, we identified three sectors that we believe have the potential to see an upturn in creditworthiness next year," said Diane Vazza, head of Standard & Poor's Global Fixed Income Research. "These three are health care, telecommunications, and chemicals."
Health care, which weathered the storm better than most sectors, has a relatively high positive bias (the proportion of issuers with a positive outlook or ratings on CreditWatch positive) and has seen relatively strong operating results.
The telecommunications sector also has fared well during the recession, despite having a number of highly leveraged companies. Improvement in economic and credit market conditions is supportive of continued stabilization and potential improvement in the credit quality of the telecommunications sector.
The chemicals sector has performed much worse than the other two sectors during the recession, though it has begun to show signs of stabilization. Given the cyclical nature of the sector, stronger economic conditions in 2010 could give credit quality a boost.
This article is part of our premium Global Fixed Income Research content, which is available to premium subscribers to RatingsDirect on the Global Credit Portal at www.globalcreditportal.com and to RatingsDirect at www.ratingsdirect.com. Ratings information can also be found on Standard & Poor's public Web site by using the Ratings search box located in the left column at www.standardandpoors.com. Members of the media may request a copy of this report by contacting the media representative provided.
"After reviewing the distribution of outlooks and CreditWatch listings, ratings trends, the performance of bond spreads, and recent operating results, we identified three sectors that we believe have the potential to see an upturn in creditworthiness next year," said Diane Vazza, head of Standard & Poor's Global Fixed Income Research. "These three are health care, telecommunications, and chemicals."
Health care, which weathered the storm better than most sectors, has a relatively high positive bias (the proportion of issuers with a positive outlook or ratings on CreditWatch positive) and has seen relatively strong operating results.
The telecommunications sector also has fared well during the recession, despite having a number of highly leveraged companies. Improvement in economic and credit market conditions is supportive of continued stabilization and potential improvement in the credit quality of the telecommunications sector.
The chemicals sector has performed much worse than the other two sectors during the recession, though it has begun to show signs of stabilization. Given the cyclical nature of the sector, stronger economic conditions in 2010 could give credit quality a boost.
This article is part of our premium Global Fixed Income Research content, which is available to premium subscribers to RatingsDirect on the Global Credit Portal at www.globalcreditportal.com and to RatingsDirect at www.ratingsdirect.com. Ratings information can also be found on Standard & Poor's public Web site by using the Ratings search box located in the left column at www.standardandpoors.com. Members of the media may request a copy of this report by contacting the media representative provided.
Ericsson to provide SingTel full end-to-end LTE trial system in Singapore
Ericsson to provide SingTel full end-to-end LTE trial system in Singapore
Company will leverage its extensive experience to bring LTE to life in Singapore
Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERIC), announced today that they will tap on its industry-leading LTE expertise to provide SingTel with a full end-to-end trial system in Singapore, commencing in the early part of 2010. The trial marks the first phase in jump-starting deployment of 4G LTE networks for Asia’s leading telecommunications operator, which has a regional mobile-user base of more than 273 million.
Ericsson will be testing high bandwidth data and multimedia services over the trial systems, which will encompass the Radio Access Network, Evolved Packet Core Network, Mobile Backhaul Solutions and Operation Support Systems.
The trial, which will take place over a period of six to nine months, will start off on a modest and contained scale and progress over time.
Mr. Mark Chong Chin Kok, SingTel’s Executive Vice President of Networks, says, “We are pleased to collaborate with Ericsson on this LTE trial, which will allow us to better understand this technology and prepare us in offering our customers the fastest mobile broadband speeds and services available in the market. This is aligned with SingTel’s transformation towards becoming the next-generation multimedia solutions company.”
“We are very honoured to partner SingTel to support its network transformation and LTE strategy. Through this test phase, Ericsson’s trusted and proven solutions will meet SingTel’s needs, enabling both companies to explore new services in the ultra high-speed wireless space together,” says Mr. Fadi Pharaon, President and Country Manager for Ericsson Singapore and Brunei.
Company will leverage its extensive experience to bring LTE to life in Singapore
Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERIC), announced today that they will tap on its industry-leading LTE expertise to provide SingTel with a full end-to-end trial system in Singapore, commencing in the early part of 2010. The trial marks the first phase in jump-starting deployment of 4G LTE networks for Asia’s leading telecommunications operator, which has a regional mobile-user base of more than 273 million.
Ericsson will be testing high bandwidth data and multimedia services over the trial systems, which will encompass the Radio Access Network, Evolved Packet Core Network, Mobile Backhaul Solutions and Operation Support Systems.
The trial, which will take place over a period of six to nine months, will start off on a modest and contained scale and progress over time.
Mr. Mark Chong Chin Kok, SingTel’s Executive Vice President of Networks, says, “We are pleased to collaborate with Ericsson on this LTE trial, which will allow us to better understand this technology and prepare us in offering our customers the fastest mobile broadband speeds and services available in the market. This is aligned with SingTel’s transformation towards becoming the next-generation multimedia solutions company.”
“We are very honoured to partner SingTel to support its network transformation and LTE strategy. Through this test phase, Ericsson’s trusted and proven solutions will meet SingTel’s needs, enabling both companies to explore new services in the ultra high-speed wireless space together,” says Mr. Fadi Pharaon, President and Country Manager for Ericsson Singapore and Brunei.
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