China Communication Industry Revs Up 10.7% YoY -- According to China's Ministry of Information Industry (MII), China's communication industry recorded revenues of 309.68 billion Yuan in the first half of 2005, up 10.7 percent year on year. Fixed line users increased by 25.68 million subscribers in the first half of the 2005, while mobile users increased by 28.34 million users. Little Smart users increased by 14.88 million to hit 79.75 million total users. Broadband subscribers increased by 6.78 million in the first six months of 2005 to 31.65 million subscribers. Short messaging (SMS) volume hit 139.25 billion messages, up 39.8 percent year on year.
Technology is a compelling catalyst for economic growth across the globe. Artificial intelligence (AI) rides a seismic wave of transformation in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region — a market bolstered by bold government initiatives, swelling pools of capital, and vibrant tech ambition. The latest IDC analysis sheds light on this dynamic market. Despite a contraction in deal volumes through 2024, total AI venture funding surged to an impressive $15.4 billion — a signal of the region’s resilience and the maturation of its digital-native businesses (DNBs). Asia-Pacific AI Market Development The APAC AI sector’s funding story is not just about headline numbers but also about how and where investments are shifting. Even as the number of deals slowed, the aggregate value of investments climbed, reflecting a preference among investors for fewer but larger, high-potential bets on mature or highly scalable AI enterprises. The information technology sector led the AI investment charge. Top area...