Telecoms services spending to rise

Telecoms services spending to rise

SINGAPORE: Asia-Pacific spending on telecommunications
services is likely to exceed US$175 billion next year, a research
firm said on Thursday.

The anticipated figure is an 8 percent hike over 2005 for the
region excluding Japan, according to International Data Corp.
(IDC).

"The economic outlook for 2006 is healthy, despite continued
global political, health and environmental uncertainties," The
Business Times quoted IDC Asia-Pacific managing director Eva Au
as saying.

"This, combined with the relentless pursuit of enterprises and
their employees to be more competitive, bodes well for the
information and communications technology industry in the
region," she said.

Information technology spending was forecast to grow 9
percent to more than $110 billion, with China and India
accounting for 64 percent of the incremental market value.

IDC also predicted business intelligence software will mature
in the region and grow at 10 percent to $315 million in 2006.

Technology spending will be fueled largely by a surge in
demand from what IDC called the "e-empowered employee",
increasingly able to harness technology to be more productive.

Nine-to-five working hours are making way for 24/7 operations,
IDC noted.

"Workspace boundaries are diminishing as employees are no
longer tied to offices," Au said.

According to IDC, the companies that will succeed are those
that rise to the challenge and capitalize on the technology
opportunities to further enable employees.-- DPA