Cover Simon Lin, chairman and chief strategy officer, Wistron Corporation
Simon Lin, chairman and chief strategy officer, Wistron Corporation
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Aiming to overcome the digital divide, these executives are leading the charge to drive innovation in telecoms throughout the region
Observed annually on May 17, World Telecommunication and Information Society Day raises awareness about the transformative potential of the Internet and of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in addressing the digital divide. The global event highlights what governments and private companies can do to reach out to the 2.6 billion people who remain unconnected from the many benefits of technology, and explore how digital innovation can help connect the globe.
Throughout the region, business leaders in the telecoms industry on our Asia’s Most Influential list are driving innovation to provide universal access to digital technologies. Spearheading the development of 5G and building ICT infrastructure and products, they harness technology’s full potential to overcome digital disparities so that prosperity can be enjoyed by everyone.
Ernest Cu, president and CEO, Globe (Philippines)
Above Ernest L Cu, president and CEO, Globe (photo: Patrizia Garcia)
Ernest L Cu, president and CEO, Globe (photo: Patrizia Garcia)
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“Having been the first to launch 5G technology in the Philippines, we are well-positioned to capitalise on opportunities relating to this once we see relevant 5G use cases,” said Ernest Cu, CEO of Globe, during a fireside chat at the Mobile World Congress in March 2024. At the Barcelona event, the telecoms executive further identified the sectors he believes 5G can make a difference, naming health, education, finance and entertainment as the most relevant.
Committed to enhancing 5G accessibility and affordability in the country, Globe has established more than 5,000 5G sites that facilitate almost 98 per cent outdoor coverage in the National Capital Region and over 92 per cent in Visayas and Mindanao. The telecoms group also reports that over 5.8 million devices were connected to its 5G network in December 2023. “We are focused on prioritising areas with high 5G device penetration and ensuring that when that killer use case arrives, we will be ready to scale more quickly and capitalise on that opportunity,” added Cu.
Simon Lin, chairman and chief strategy officer, Wistron Corporation (Taiwan)
Above Simon Lin, chairman and chief strategy officer, Wistron Corporation
Simon Lin, chairman and chief strategy officer, Wistron Corporation
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Simon Lin has a long history of innovation in the tech sector. He joined Acer in 1979, became its president in 1998, and was named the head of the computer giant’s spin-off Wistron Corporation upon its establishment in 2001. Under his leadership, Wistron has become an ICT giant with over 65,000 employees worldwide. It supplies customised ICT products, systems and service solutions to major tech companies, and under its subsidiary Winstron NeWeb, provides communications solutions covering 5G edge infrastructure, Wi-Fi 6/7, satellite broadband and more.
For his contributions to the tech industry, the National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University conferred an honorary doctoral degree upon Lin in March 2024. At the ceremony, the chairman shared a bit of insight into his leadership style, sharing how he sets aside 20 per cent of his time to be by himself and “think deeply”.
Ario Wibisono, president commissioner, Protelindo (Indonesia)
Above Ario Wibisono, president commissioner, Protelindo
Ario Wibisono, president commissioner, Protelindo
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Ario Wibisono is the president commissioner of Protelindo, the largest independent owner and operator of wireless communications towers in Indonesia. The Jakarta-based firm fuels the growth of the telecommunication sector with its footprint of more than 31,000 telecom tower sites found mainly in Sumatra, Java, Bali, Kalimantan and Sulawesi. Its sites allow Indonesia’s wireless communication firms to install radio frequency antennas, microwave antennas and other support systems.
Protelindo also bolsters the country’s digital communications through iForte, the connectivity infrastructure firm that operates more than 200,000 km of fibre optic cables for high-speed network connections. The company may soon expand even more, with recent news of IBS Indonesia looking to sell its tower unit to Protelindo.
Read Ario Wibisono’s full profile on Asia’s Most Influential
Tatler Asia’s Most Influential is the definitive list of people shaping our world today. Asia’s Most Influential brings together the region's most innovative changemakers, industry titans and thought leaders who are driving positive impact in Asia and beyond. View the full list here.
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