APAC Connectivity Underpinned by Global Reach and Local Expertise

APAC is more than just another region; it's the epicentre of global collaboration.

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Every millisecond of every day, data flows under oceans and through the skies, connecting businesses and consumers in a web of global commerce. Whether it’s a video call between London and Hong-Kong, a real-time transaction processed in Singapore, a factory in Hanoi syncing its inventory with a headquarters in New York – none of it is possible without seamless global connectivity. ‍

Asia-Pacific is the world’s manufacturing powerhouse, and ensuring reliable infrastructure in the region is no longer optional. It’s a necessity for multinationals, expanding opportunities, and keeping up with the world’s fastest-growing digital economies. APAC is a vast and fragmented market, stretching from the well-established tech hubs in Tokyo and Singapore to fast-growing economies and cities like Hanoi and Jakarta, and regulations differ from market to market. To succeed, network providers need a mix of global reach and local expertise.

APAC plays a massive role in global commerce. It’s home to the world’s largest manufacturing hubs, over 60% of the world’s population, and some of the most internet-driven economies. Corporations rely on supply chains and production facilities in Southeast Asia, but working in the region can’t be a one-size-fits-all approach. Some countries have world-class infrastructure, while others struggle with network gapping. Add in strict regulations on data transfers and the needs of Western businesses, and it’s clear why a hybrid approach that balances global standards with local flexibility is the only option.

As APAC continues its rapid digital transformation, it stands in stark contrast to the slow down experienced in many Western markets. The Asia-Pacific region is a driving force in the global economy, particularly in technology and connectivity. Markets like China, India, and Southeast Asia are scaling at an unprecedented rate, spearheading innovation in fields as diverse as 5G, artificial intelligence, and the blockchain. APAC’s increasing investment in infrastructure – including the expansion of subsea cables, rollout of 5G networks, and advancements in satellite technology – demonstrates how the region is positioning itself as the future of global commerce.

In comparison, Western markets are grappling with slower growth rates and a more mature digital infrastructure, with many Western economies encountering challenges ranging from ageing infrastructure to regulatory hurdles. Investment in emerging technologies in these regions has been more conservative, and the focus is often on maintaining and upgrading existing systems rather than driving fresh innovation.

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Approaching connectivity

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Adopting a global view underpinned by local expertise helps carriers and network operators customise their infrastructure, depending on the market, to maintain the best possible global connectivity. Take cloud providers as an example, a company expanding its operations into Indonesia needs to comply with strict data residency laws, which means partnering with local data centers to meet regulations while keeping global service levels consistent. Meanwhile, businesses that rely on low latency (financial services and e-commerce platforms, for instance) need to deploy edge computing as close as possible to their APAC customers.

Regulations, while necessary, often manifest new challenges and obstacles to success. Many Asia-Pacific countries have tight cybersecurity laws, and some mandate local data storage. Carriers have to ensure compliance without disrupting the consistency and reliability of their service. Peering agreements with local carriers can also help to optimise cross-border traffic, ensuring smoother, more reliable connectivity. Regional peering hubs play a key role in keeping networks fast and cost-efficient. Internet Exchange Points (IXs) reduce latency and improve performance. North American and European network operators expanding into APAC need a presence in major IXs such as Singapore, Japan, Hong Kong, and many more. By connecting through these emerging hubs, carriers can cut data transit costs and deliver a better experience.

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Global connectivity

Imagine a European vehicle parts manufacturer is setting up new facilities in Vietnam. It needs reliable cloud connectivity for supply chain management, secure cross-border data transfers with its headquarters in Germany, and optimal network performance to coordinate logistics in real-time. The company connects directly to cloud providers with on-ramps in APAC, uses local co-location services to meet data regulations, and deploys SD-WAN solutions to ensure stable performance across international points of presence. For the carriers and network operators enabling the process, it means offering high-capacity connections that integrate global backbones with local networks.

Over the coming years, APAC economies will continue to evolve and thrive. The region itself is vital to ongoing international and technological development, and is seeing rapid advancements in mobile and terrestrial connectivity, with better access to subsea cables that will boost bandwidth capacity both regionally and globally. For network operators and carriers in the West, staying ahead of these trends is about maintaining relevance to capture new opportunities, in one of the most dynamic connectivity landscapes of the world.

To successfully navigate the region’s regulatory infrastructure and cultural nuances, telecom providers need more than just access – they need expertise. Partnering with a network operator that’s built and managed its own infrastructure ensures a deep understanding of both global dynamics and local complexities. SG.GS works with businesses around the world to support their entry into APAC by aligning with the right partners and adopting strategic connectivity approaches, overcoming common barriers to international expansion.

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Looking for some local connectivity insight? Talk with our team.

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