Enterprise

Philippines improves 4G LTE availability but falls short at rankings

Still one of the slowest in the world

Published

February 20, 2018

Luigi Leonardo

It’s no surprise that internet in Southeast Asia hasn’t caught up with 2018 standards. Based on several OpenSignal reports throughout the years, the region still rattles out poor ratings in 4G availability and speed.

Sadly, the most recent report shows more of the same. Though improving in reliability, internet in the region is still the slowest in the world.

The data was collected from over 4.8 million devices and almost 59 billion measurements throughout October to December last year.

The latest findings, which show definite improvements over last year’s results, offers eye-opening insights about the current state of 4G internet and its uncertain future.

South Korea still on top, but stumbles in speed

As with previous years, it’s no surprise that Singapore and South Korea dominate the boards once again. The world’s prime destination for eSports tops 4G availability; internet users in South Korea enjoy 4G connections for 97.49 percent of the time — a huge feat when around half of the recorded nations struggle to move past the 75 percent mark. Unfortunately, the country falls off a bit in terms of speed. Whereas the previous report clocked speeds of 43.46Mbps, this report measures a lower but still speedy 40.44Mbps.

On the other hand, Singapore tops the rankings for speed again with 44.31Mbps. Also, the country slightly improved their reliability at 84.43 percent.

The Philippines improves, but still a lower-tier country

Learning from their years-long stint at the bottom of the rankings, the Philippines finally improves their rankings with a marked upgrade on reliability. From a paltry 52.77 percent last year, the archipelagic nation now enjoys 63.73 percent 4G availability. As a result, the Philippines is no longer in the bottom 10 nations of the world, but is still the third lowest in Asia.

Unfortunately, the same can’t be said about the country’s speed. Despite an upgrade (from 8.59Mbps to 9.49Mbps), the Philippines is the fourth slowest country in the world (and third slowest in Asia). This year’s ranking is also slightly worse than last year’s list where the country placed as only the fifth slowest.

India barely moves up

Despite a brilliant showing in 4G availability, India still holds the unfortunate title of “slowest 4G internet in the world.” Indian internet speeds average only 6.07Mbps. The sub-par speeds slightly improved from last year’s showing, which only clocked in 5.14Mbps. This may be attributed to India’s status as one of the most populous nations in the world. On the bright side, the South Asian country marginally improved its reach — 86.26 percent from 81.56 percent last year.

4G internet speeds are plateauing

4G technology started in 2010. Since then, countries continue to edge closer but miss the vaunted 50Mbps mark. As of 2018, it’s safe to assume that everyone’s hitting the hay in the hunt for speed. Most, if not all, upgrades in speed this year were marginal at best. With the apparent plateau, the world focused on providing more reliable 4G internet across the globe. Countries fared better in improving their 4G reliability.

Too little, too late?

5G is just on the horizon. Tech companies are already pushing for 5G-compatible devices; 5G will soon obliterate the 4G speed plateau. With a more efficient solution coming, we should ask whether the race for the best 4G service shows an alarming trend.

Before we know it, the race to the best 5G network will kick off. Developed countries already have a leg up. Unfortunately, those who trailed in the 4G race will fall behind even further as 5G passes them by. Even if 5G will be easy to implement, the lack of reliable 4G in developing countries will only widen the gap between 5G-ready and 4G-ready countries.

Enterprise

TikTok finally gets a buyer in the United States

The deal targets a closing date in late January.

Published

December 19, 2025

Luigi Leonardo

The year started with a ban. A day before Donald Trump started his second term, TikTok went dark, in anticipation of an impending ban. The platform quickly went back online, leading to an ultimatum that saw TikTok hunt for an American buyer to full stave off a definitive ban in the United States. Now, as the year ends, a buyer is finally here.

Via CNBC, TikTok has reportedly inked a deal to finalize a deal in the United States, as stated in an internal memo from CEO Shou Zi Chew. The memo, which was sent just this week, details a plan that will see the deal close by January 26, 2026.

Fifty percent of TikTok’s newly restructured U.S. arm will be held by a collection of American investors including Oracle, Silver Lake, and MGX. Meanwhile, already existing investors of TikTok will hold 30.1 percent. Finally, ByteDance will retain 19.9 percent.

Additionally, TikTok’s algorithm in the United States will be retrained with American data. The American arm will also handle the country’s “data protection, algorithm security, content moderation, and software assurance.” Oracle will be the “trusted security partner” in charge of making sure the company keeps within regulations in the country.

With a deal pushing through, the long-running TikTok saga in the United States might finally come to a close.

Enterprise

AgiBot rolls out 5000th humanoid robot

Robotics company reaches milestone

Published

December 11, 2025

GadgetMatch

AgiBot has reached a milestone after the Shanghai, China-based robotics company rolled out its 5000th humanoid robot.

The milestone represents a step forward in AgiBot’s ongoing efforts to improve the mass production and practical use of embodied robotics.

AgiBot specializes in the development, mass production, and commercial deployment of such robots which have AI integrated onto them.

These robots are deployed across a wide range of commercial scenarios, including production lines, logistics sorting, security, education, and even entertainment purposes.

To date, the full-size embodied robot AgiBot A-Series has achieved mass production with 1,742 units. Meanwhile, the AgiBot X-Series, an agile half-size robot, has reached 1,846 units.

Lastly, the task-optimized AgiBot G-Series, designed for more complex operations, has reached 1,412 units.

Through widespread adoption across multiple industries, AgiBot is demonstrating the potential of embodied AI to drive industrial upgrades, transform service and production processes, and support broader digitization efforts.

Just recently, AgiBot has successfully deployed its Real-World Reinforcement Learning (RW-RL) system on a pilot production line with Longcheer Technology.

AgiBot’s RW-RL system addresses pain points in production lines such as relying on rigid automation systems. The robots learn and adapt directly on the factory floor.

And in just minutes, robots can acquire new skills, achieve stable deployment, and maintain long-term performance without degradation.

In addition, the system also autonomously compensates for common variations such as part position and tolerance shifts.

Enterprise

Paramount just made a $108-billion counteroffer for Warner Bros.

Netflix’s offer is just for $82 billion.

Published

December 9, 2025

Luigi Leonardo

Late last week, “Netflix bought Warner Bros.” was a sentence often bandied around. The truth was, as always, far less glamorous. Netflix hasn’t bought the entertainment giant just yet. Rather, it just extended a lucrative offer, which gives other suitors and regulating agencies a chance to respond. And respond, they have. Paramount has just made a sizable counteroffer for Warner Bros. Discovery, totalling US$ 108.4 billion in value.

Much like last week’s report, the wording is crucial here. Netflix made an offer for Warner Bros. Paramount is making an offer for Warner Bros. Discovery.

Netflix’s offer of US$ 82.7 billion (or US$ 27.75 per share) hinges on Warner Bros. Discovery un-merging and forming two separate entities: the Warner Bros. arm and the Discovery arm. Netflix plans to buy the former, while the latter (along with its associated networks) will be free to break off into its own ventures. Should it be approved, the deal will be inked only starting around the latter half of next year.

On the other hand, Paramount wants everything, including the cable networks. It’s willing to pay US$ 30 per share, or US$ 108.4 billion.

The company counters that Netflix’s offer is “based on an illusory prospective valuation of Global Networks that is unsupported by the business fundamentals and encumbered by high levels of financial leverage assigned to the entity.”

The company further says that their previous six bids were never seriously considered by Warner Bros. Discovery, whereas the latter reached a unanimous decision with Netflix.

In terms of value, Paramount promises a combination of Paramount+ and HBO Max, as well as an infusion of sports like the NFL and the Olympics.

Though Paramount’s price is much higher than Netflix, it must also go through an approval process. It will expire on January 8, 2026.