SK Telecom (SKT) and Netflix have resolved their legal dispute and announced a partnership that will focus on service delivery and research and development (R&D). The companies had been locked in a dispute over whether Netflix should cover costs related to the increase in network traffic and required maintenance. As part of the partnership, SKT will deliver various products, including bundled packages, to its customers, with new offerings expected to be introduced by the first half of 2024. The companies will also explore AI technologies, such as conversational user experience (conversational UX) and personalised recommendation technologies, to enhance the operator’s entertainment services and further its ambitions as an “AI company”.
Singtel sells 20% stake in datacentre business to KKR
Singaporean operator Singtel has agreed to sell a 20% stake in its datacentre business to private equity firm KKR for up to S$1.1bn ($806m). The sale increases the enterprise value of Singtel’s regional datacentre operation to S$5.5bn ($4bn). KKR has the option to increase its stake to 25% by 2027. Singtel plans to use the proceeds to expand its datacentre business across southeast Asia, including Singapore, Indonesia, and Thailand, and potentially explore other countries such as Malaysia. Singtel has been making efforts to grow its datacentre portfolio, with new facilities in Singapore, Indonesia, and Thailand.
Operators to generate $17bn from 5G-enabled satellite networks
Juniper Research predicts that operators will generate an additional $17bn in revenue from 5G-enabled satellite networks between 2024 and 2030. The report estimates that commercial launches of 5G satellite networks will begin in 2024, and more than 110 million 5G satellite connections will be in operation by the end of the decade. To achieve the potential benefits, operators are urged to establish partnerships with satellite network operators (SNOs) and launch monetisable satellite-based 5G services. Leveraging existing billing relationships and integrating satellite services into terrestrial networks is also recommended. The research notes that operators will increasingly rely on SNOs with the acceleration of 6G networks.
Azita Arvani departs as CEO of Rakuten Symphony North America
Azita Arvani has announced her departure as the CEO of Rakuten Symphony’s North American unit. This comes just a month after Tareq Amin left as CEO of Rakuten Mobile and Rakuten Symphony. Arvani expressed her gratitude for her time with the company, noting the milestones achieved and relationships built with esteemed customers such as AT&T, Dish Networks, and Telus. While she did not provide a specific reason for her departure, Arvani stated that it was time for new career opportunities.