Research firm IDC has named AT&T, BT, Orange, and Singtel as the leading next‑generation telecommunications service providers in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region.
According to IDC’s report, “IDC Telecom MarketScape for Next‑Generation Service Providers 2016‑17,” these four companies stand out for their strong regional network footprints and broad portfolios of enterprise cloud and managed ICT services. They also offer diverse solutions across areas such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and collaboration, and serve large customer bases that include mid‑to‑large enterprises, multinational corporations, and government agencies across APAC.
Close behind the leaders, IDC identifies a group of major players that includes regional providers such as Telstra and NTT Communications, alongside global operators like Vodafone, Verizon, and Tata Communications. Global Cloud Xchange (GCX) is placed in the Contenders category.
IDC highlights several capabilities vendors need to succeed in the APAC market. Providers should deliver a well‑rounded portfolio of cloud services supported by secure cloud connectivity, and maintain comprehensive managed security offerings. Equally important are enterprise mobility, machine‑to‑machine (M2M) and IoT solutions, big data and analytics services, and the ability to leverage software‑defined networking (SDN) and virtual network functions (VNF) to improve operational efficiency and create new service opportunities.
Orange recently drew attention after confirming a collaboration with Facebook to support a new accelerator aimed at startups focused on network infrastructure innovation. This partnership underscores the ongoing emphasis on fostering ecosystem partnerships and startup engagement as operators evolve their service offerings and technology stacks.
Overall, IDC’s analysis shows that success in APAC’s next‑generation telecom market depends on a mix of regional reach, diversified enterprise offerings, strong security and cloud capabilities, and investment in emerging technologies like SDN, virtualization, IoT, and analytics. Providers that combine these strengths are best positioned to capture enterprise and government demand across the heterogeneous and fast‑growing APAC market.