Infrastructure
Communications
Cambodian Government touts internet record despite telecom law concerns
Government officials defended Cambodia’s record on internet freedom on 3 December, despite concerns that recent and proposed legislation could curtail the rights of those speaking out online. Addressing a conference on the issue in Phnom Penh, Meas Sophorn, undersecretary of state at the Ministry of Information, ...
Thailand printers refuse to print New York Times cover story
The New York Times’ printer in Thailand has refused to print one of its articles, leaving a blank space on its cover page. The article, titled “Thai spirits sagging with the economy”, discussed the country’s flagging economy and touched on royal succession concerns. The printer withheld an ...
Vientiane hosts ASEAN journalists' workshop
The “ASEAN journalists to cover the biggest cultural event workshop” was launched on 23 November in Vientiane, and will run from 23-26 November. Media personnel from ASEAN member countries are attending the workshop to exchange their traditions and culture and also share news reporting skills on their biggest cultural events. The ...
4G spectrum windfall to help farmers
The government will spend part of the revenue from the fourth-generation (4G) spectrum auction to finance the country’s agricultural plan to ease the impact of drought on farmers. Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak, who leads the government’s economic team, said on 19 November a portion of revenue from the spectrum bidding ...
Smartphone ownership in Cambodia exploded since ’13: study
The number of Cambodians who own at least one smartphone has almost doubled since 2013, helping put Cambodia on track to having more than half of its population accessing the web in about a year, according to a new study. Almost 95 per cent of Cambodians ...
Myanmar poll raises internet usage
Internet usage in Myanmar rose by 300 per cent on 8 November when the nation hosted the general election, according to the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology. Keep reading ...
Laos to launch first satellite
Laos’ first telecommunications satellite (Lao Sat-1) will be launched into orbit on November 21 to spur many facets of development and industry. The satellite, which is owned by the Lao Sat-1 Joint Venture Company, will be part of a network of satellites in Laos and overseas ...
Ministry's IT skill standards expected to improve
The information and technology (IT) skill standards introduced by Vietnam’s Ministry of Information and Communications will help training centres, employers and employees evaluate the competency of IT staff, experts have said. In May, the ministry issued a decree outlining skill standards for professional staff in the IT ...
Vietnam Television to reduce investment in pay TV market, focus on content: report
The national broadcaster Vietnam Television will disinvest from the pay TV market by selling most of its stakes in three major providers, whose combined market share is almost 73 percent, local media reported. Keep reading ...
Media understanding essential for regional cooperation success
The media has to fully comprehend the newly instigated sub-regional cooperation mechanism and participate in getting its message out to wider society for the initiative to succeed. Deputy Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Mr Savankhone Razmountry made the statement when speaking about the establishment of ...