Use of DICT funds for surveillance alarms civil society group in the Philippines [Newsbytes]
The Foundation for Media Alternatives (FMA), a non-government organisation, has expressed its “grave concerns” over the alleged misuse of confidential funds by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) for the purpose of conducting surveillance activities.
On Monday, February 3, DICT Undersecretary Eliseo Rio Jr. confirmed his resignation from the agency, citing the lack of transparency in the disbursement of P300 million in confidential funds as one reason for his departure.
Indian online health sector to reach US$16B: RedSeer [KrAsia]
India’s online health sector is poised to grow to become a US$16 billion opportunity by the financial year 2025, up from the current US$1.2 billion, said a new report by Bengaluru-based consulting firm RedSeer.
Riding on the back of increased investments in the space, and rising willingness of suppliers to partner with online health platforms, the e-health sector in the South Asian nation is growing at a 68% compound annual growth rate (CAGR).
“The promising growth in the Indian eHealth sector is driven by positive receptiveness towards eHealth by both consumers and providers, along with supportive government regulations and investments,” the report noted.
Indonesia to commence a satellite project for nationwide internet coverage [Jakarta Globe]
The Indonesian government has appointed a consortium of local companies to operate a broadband telecommunication satellite that will provide comprehensive internet access across the vast archipelago.
Communication and Information Technology Minister Johnny G. Plate said on Wednesday the financial agreement would be concluded next month to allow the consortium to commence the project immediately.
The project to build and launch the Satelit Republik Indonesia, or Satria, will be led by the Pasifik Satelit Nusantara (PSN) consortium, which comprises the companies Pintar Nusantara Sejahtera, Pasifik Satelit Nusantara, Dian Semesta Sentosa and Nusantara Satelit Sejahtera.
Hmlet continues rapid Singapore expansion with launch of new properties in Tiong Bahru [press release]
Singapore-based co-living company Hmlet has signed a collection of heritage properties in the Tiong Bahru neighbourhood.
With some units already launched on the Hmlet platform, the 80 room-strong series of walk-up apartments and loft conversions brings the number of Hmlet properties in Singapore to 48 and the portfolio of rooms to more than 1,000.
The collection of properties is split into studios, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments with communal areas including a courtyard and kitchen, occupying 18,000 square feet across seven locations: Hoot Kiam Road, Zion Road, Tiong Bahru Road, Moh Guan Terrace, Chay Yan Street, Tiong Poh Road and Guan Chuan Street.
Circles.Life expands non-telco services through digital partnership initiatives [press release]
Singapore’s Circles.Life announced today a partnership with Sistic to allow users to book the events on Sistic directly on the telco’s app.
This partnership is the first to provide users with an in-app event-booking experience. By tapping into Circles.Life’s technology stack, users can do a quicker booking process, in-built calendar and reminder setting and a smart recommendation search engine that displays events based on their interests.
This service, available for all Circles.Life’s users, lets them purchase tickets using the credit card attached to their telco accounts.
For non-Circles.Life users in Singapore, they can download the app and access the events feature as well as enter their card details to purchase a ticket at no additional cost.
Users can also expect special deals in the future if they purchase tickets through the Circles.Life platform, and more features are in the pipeline to improve the user journey and experience.
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