TRPC Digital Bytes May 2020
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This document provides updates on digital and technology policies from several countries in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It discusses expansions of contact tracing apps in India and Australia, incentives for the ICT sector in Indonesia, economic recovery plans involving digital technologies in Malaysia, and the launch of a subsidy scheme for 5G projects in Hong Kong. Similar updates are provided on initiatives relating to telemedicine, contact tracing apps, business regulations, and digital transformation plans in other countries across Asia and Oceania. The document also briefly outlines 5G license awards and launches in several markets, as well as internet governance developments in India, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
TRPC Digital Bytes May 2020
- 1. TRPC Digital Bytes May 2020
- 2. COVID-19 UPDATES • India is expanding its government-developed Aarogaya Setu contact tracing app to include all feature phone users. This will allow feature phone users to be easily contacted from a central helpline number. India • Australia launches its COVIDSafe Contact Tracing App, and accompanying draft special legislation designed to protect information collected by the app from misuse. The app has approximately 5.3 million downloads since its launch. Australia • Kominfo has announced incentives to help the Indonesian ICT sector deal with COVID-19. These incentives provide relief on payments which were due in April, including Universal Service Obligation (USO) contributions and Telecommunications Operating Fees (BHP). Indonesia TRPC – Digital Bytes May 2020
- 3. COVID-19 UPDATES • Malaysia will soon implement a short-and-medium term economic recovery plan to help the economy recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The plan aims to support the restructuring, recovery and growth of SMEs, especially through digital technology. • The Alibaba group has announced that its electronic World Trade Platform (eWTP) at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport will serve as one of three global hubs for the delivery of medical goods to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Malaysia • OFCA has launched a subsidy scheme as part of the Anti-epidemic Fund to foster subsidise 5G project costs and promote post- COVID-19 economic recovery through 5G- enabled innovative technologies. Hong Kong TRPC – Digital Bytes May 2020
- 4. COVID-19 UPDATES • The Philippines’ Department of Science and Technology has produced a telemedicine device called RxBox in collaboration with universities and the Department of Health. The device is intended to be deployed to rural areas, and allows doctors to diagnose illnesses remotely. Philippines New Zealand • New Zealand’s Ministry of Health plans to release a voluntary contact tracing app soon. The Ministry is currently offering voluntary pre-registration to ensure that users of the app submit up-to-date contact details. • New Zealand’s Commerce Commission has released guidance outlining how it will assess business collaboration during the coronavirus epidemic, and police the emergence of anti-competitive behaviour between businesses. TRPC – Digital Bytes May 2020
- 5. COVID-19 UPDATES • Newly-announced “South Korean New Deal” govt project to prepare the country for a post- COVID-19 environment, focuses on AI and data utilisation to develop “untact” (no- contact) and digital services in areas including education and healthcare. • South Korea’s MSIT identified three case studies showcasing best practices in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic. These were SoftNet’s health monitoring app which allows for the remote monitoring of vital signs, AIsupport’s provision of free teleconferencing solutions to SMEs and Practine Technology’s public mask information API. South Korea Singapore • Singapore’s Future Economy Council has established an Emerging Stronger Taskforce to plan for and make recommendations for a post-COVID-19 Singapore. The taskforce’s first tranche of recommendations are due to arrive in early 2021, and will focus on digital transformation. • The possibility of combining Singapore’s TraceTogether contact tracing app with other commonly used apps such as the SafeEntry digital check-in app has been proposed, in order to increase uptake on the app. TRPC – Digital Bytes May 2020
- 6. COVID-19 UPDATES Thailand • The Thai government announced that it would soon launch a contact tracing app to contain the spread of the coronavirus. It has indicated that only the data of at-risk groups such as medical personnel, transport operators, migrant workers and entertainment venue employees would be collected. TRPC – Digital Bytes May 2020
- 7. 5G UPDATES • China Mobile, Hutchison 3, HKT launched commercial 5G services on 1 Apr. • NTT DOCOMO, KDDI, SoftBank all launch 5G services in Mar. Rakuten Mobile to postpone Jun launch. • True Move launched of its commercial 5G services on the 2600 MHz band. • 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. • Singtel, M1-Starhub JV win 5G licenses. • 5G spectrum auction may be postponed again. TRPC – Digital Bytes May 2020
- 8. INTERNET GOVERNANCE • India’s Supreme Court has ordered that a special committee be formed to determine if restrictions should be lifted in Jammu & Kashmir. India Indonesia • Indonesia has delayed the implementation of Regulation 13/2019, covering ICT classifications, until 31 January 2021. • Indonesia implements Ministerial Regulation 48/2020, formally instituting a 10% VAT on Digital Goods and Services. Philippines • The Digital Economy Taxation Act of 2020 (House Bill No. 6765) has been filed. If passed, all services rendered electronically will be subject to VAT. TRPC – Digital Bytes May 2020
- 9. Liked our ‘byte-sized’ updates? For more on what TRPC does, please visit us at www.trpc.biz or connect with us via social media. 9 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.
Editor's Notes
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