Media OutReach
How Huawei is Helping Build South Africa’s New Digital Highway
“No Internet, no modern life.” That’s the blunt conclusion of young South African, Godfrey.
He’s not wrong. South Africa has among the highest Internet penetration rates on the continent, but a digital divide persists, leaving many young people like Godfrey and their families with no Internet access. They’re desperate to be connected, and to transform their lives.
Now, change is underway. With the rollout of the national broadband strategy—SA Connect—a “digital highway” to the future is extending from cities into rural areas.
Voices from the Unconnected
Godfrey lives in Diepsloot, Gauteng, a densely populated, underserved community. With weak broadband infrastructure, most households—including Godfrey’s—remain unconnected.
“In brief passings, the Internet has revealed to me glimpses of lives beyond the constricted space I live in,” says Godfrey. “The rest of the time, however, the poor connection here stops me from taking a further step out.”
As the main family breadwinner, Godfrey works part-time and is set on becoming a barista. But it requires hours of online learning, and without home broadband and with mobile data costs prohibitively high, staying connected is a luxury. Godfrey often switches his phone to airplane mode to save data, drafts his job applications offline, and then walks 1.2 kilometers to the nearest mall for its one hour of free Wi-Fi. There, he sends out his daily batch of applications, only to miss short-notice video interviews after he returns home. Godfrey’s story is echoed throughout many more communities still left behind by digital transformation.
Building South Africa’s Digital Highway
To bridge the digital divide, the South African government launched the SA Connect national broadband strategy, with the goal of bringing affordable, reliable, high-capacity broadband access to every South African by 2030.
As a state-owned enterprise, Broadband Infraco (BBI) is charged by the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) with expanding South Africa’s broadband infrastructure. In collaboration with Huawei, Broadband Infraco is building an intelligent all-optical backbone network, which will directly support the goals of SA Connect.
Gift Zowa, CEO of Broadband Infraco, said, “We are addressing one of SA Connect’s primary goals, the DCDT’s flagship broadband connectivity project, to make connectivity inclusive and bring stable, high-capacity broadband to all South African communities and government facilities by 2030.”
Broadband Infraco uses Huawei’s next-generation Optical Cross-Connect (OXC) technology to deliver 800G wavelengths across its network—a cutting-edge infrastructure leap that will support SA Connect’s ambitions for expansion of broadband access. It also enables massive volumes of data to be transferred between cities or data centers, powering applications in healthcare, education, e-commerce, and e-government, as well as fueling South Africa’s digital economy.
Expanding Inclusive Connectivity with All-Optical Broadband
Through its intelligent all-optical backbone and partnerships with local service providers, BBI has connected over 13,000 public Wi-Fi hotspots and more than 2 million homes in underserved and rural areas nationwide, transforming network connectivity in these areas.
Nomso Kana, CEO of a local ISP, SimSciex, observed: “Improving Internet access is the key to driving economic growth. With the reliable network built by BBI, we have expanded rural and household network coverage with high-quality broadband, enabling remote work, boosting employment, and helping small- and medium-sized enterprises reach new markets.”
Despite the limited connectivity in his community, Godfrey is optimistic, knowing his area has been included in the SA Connect plans. With fiber and Wi-Fi coverage planned by the end of 2026 and more affordable packages for disadvantaged communities, SA Connect is bringing the digital world closer to remote areas. For many young people like Godfrey, a digital life is finally within reach.
Realizing the 2030 Vision
As the first 800G intelligent optical backbone network deployed by the government sector, the infrastructure will not only bring inclusive benefits to South Africa but also serve as a key driver of the digital economy. By 2030, the rapid growth of applications such as telemedicine, smart cities, and artificial intelligence will increase demand for capacity and services; the backbone network aims to lower connectivity costs and accelerate progress in sectors such as healthcare, education, e-commerce and e-government.
BBI has completed the construction of 100G/400G/800G backbone networks across Gauteng and various northern regions with the goal of strengthening high-speed cross-border connectivity across the SADC region. The full backbone will span all nine provinces and extend to the borders of six neighboring countries.
Gift Zowa, CEO of Broadband Infraco, said, “We are collaborating to build one of South Africa’s best national broadband infrastructure. This will guide South Africa toward its 2030 vision, where everyone can participate equally in the digital era.”
Hashtag: #Huawei
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We sincerely thank our customers for their continued trust. AIA Hong Kong’s sustained leadership in the number of new business policies reflects that when people seek to protect their own and their loved ones’ future through insurance, AIA’s quality health and wealth solutions — together with services and experiences that go beyond traditional insurance — consistently stand out as their preferred choice.
We remain committed to protecting every moment that matters and helping people and the communities we serve to live Healthier, Longer, Better Lives.
Notes:
* Source: The latest provisional statistics of the Insurance Authority on Hong Kong long-term insurance business from January to September 2025.
** Based on statistics from Insurance Authority released since 2014 – Provisional statistics of the Insurance Authority on Hong Kong long-term insurance business.
Hashtag: #AIAHongKong
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About AIA Hong Kong & Macau
AIA Group Limited established its operations in Hong Kong in 1931. To date, AIA Hong Kong and AIA Macau have about 18,000 financial planners1, as well as an extensive network of independent financial advisors, brokerage and bancassurance partners. We serve over 3.6 million customers2, offering them a wide selection of professional services and products ranging from individual life, group life, accident, medical and health, pension, personal lines insurance to investment-linked assurance schemes with numerous investment options. We are also dedicated to providing superb product solutions to meet the financial needs of high-net-worth customers.
1 As at 30 June 2025
2 Including AIA Hong Kong and AIA Macau’s individual life, group insurance and pension customers (as at 30 June 2025)
All nominations will undergo a rigorous screening and evaluation process conducted by the VinFuture Pre-Screening Committee and the Prize Council, which comprise leading scientists from around the world, including laureates of prestigious international awards such as the Nobel Prize, the Turing Award, and the Millennium Technology Prize.
The evaluation process is scheduled to be completed by September 2026, with the 6th VinFuture Prize Award Ceremony slated for early December 2026. Nominations submitted after April 17, 2026 will automatically be considered for the 2027 season.
In order to provide comprehensive information and strengthen engagement with its global network of nomination partners, the VinFuture Foundation will host two international webinars in the first quarter of 2026, featuring insights and perspectives from representatives of the Prize Council, the Pre-Screening Committee, and VinFuture Laureates. The first webinar will take place at 8:00 AM on January 26, 2026 (Hanoi time).
In 2026, the VinFuture Prize will continue the implementation of its Top Nominators Recognition Program, formally acknowledging the exceptional contributions of scientists whose discernment and scholarly leadership are instrumental in identifying and nominating scientific and technological achievements of transformative significance for humanity.
Having completed five successive and highly successful award cycles, the VinFuture Prize has established itself as a globally respected distinction within the international science and technology community. To date, it has received a cumulative total of 6,132 nominations from nearly 110 countries and territories and has recognized 48 outstanding scientists whose pioneering work has delivered profound, enduring, and far-reaching benefits to humanity.
Many of the achievements recognized by the VinFuture Prize are closely aligned with major milestones in human progress, ranging from global networking technologies, PERC solar cells, lithium-ion battery energy storage, and artificial intelligence to essential fields such as sustainable agriculture, healthcare, and environmental protection. Reflecting its expanding international reach, VinFuture’s global nomination partner network now includes nearly 15,000 scientists worldwide.
Dr. Thai-Ha Le, Managing Director of the VinFuture Foundation, stated: “After five years of establishment and development, VinFuture Prize has steadily affirmed its position as one of the world’s leading global science prizes, where outstanding scientific excellence is honored in parallel with social responsibility and the long-term interests of humanity. As we enter the 2026 season, we anticipate that nominations will continue to demonstrate the pivotal role of science and technology in addressing global challenges in a comprehensive manner, thereby advancing breakthrough solutions with strong applicability and the capacity to generate positive and sustainable impacts on a global scale.”
With its established international stature and credibility, VinFuture has contributed meaningfully to positioning Viet Nam as an emerging hub for global knowledge exchange and scientific collaboration. Numerous VinFuture partners have traveled to Viet Nam to engage in academic exchanges, share professional expertise, and strengthen ties with the domestic scientific community. Notable participants include Professor Aldo Steinfeld of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH Zurich), recipient of the 2024 SolarPACES Lifetime Achievement Award; Professor Kurt Kremer, Honorary Director of the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research (Germany); and Professor Chuanbin Mao of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (China), ranked among the world’s top 2% most-cited scientists in biomedical engineering…
Through VinFuture, many Vietnamese scientists have likewise gained access to, and established collaborations with, leading global researchers, actively engaging with the international scientific community to help shape a sustainable future for Vietnam and for humanity at large.
Hashtag: #VinFuture
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Through this collaboration, FED Fitness and the Houston Rockets aim to bridge professional training standards with the at-home fitness experience, encouraging consistent movement and healthy routines for people of all ages and fitness levels.
FED Fitness offers a wide range of high-quality home exercise equipment, competitive pricing, and a free training app—aligning seamlessly with the Rockets’ performance-driven mindset and community-focused approach to sport and wellness.
Notably, this marks the Houston Rockets’ first partnership with a dedicated home gym solutions brand, reflecting the growing importance of home-based training within the evolving sports and fitness landscape. The partnership also reinforces FED Fitness’s expertise, product quality, and long-term strategic vision, as elite sports organizations increasingly align with innovative home fitness brands.
At the heart of the partnership is a shared commitment to health, discipline, and long-term fitness habits—whether training at home or competing at the highest level on the court.
Extending Professional Training into the Home
FED Fitness operates with the belief that fitness should be accessible, enjoyable, and sustainable, providing solutions designed to support users at different stages of their home fitness journey.
FED Fitness Home Gym Solutions
Its home gym solutions are defined by several core characteristics:
- Professionalgrade equipment
- Home training content system
- Spacefriendly designs
- Scenariodriven content
- Sustainable training system
FED Fitness is more than just equipment treadmills, ellipticals, strength machines, and lightweight accessories. Instead, it goes above and beyond by providing an entire home fitness ecosystem that includes training and health data.
Partnership Benefits for Consumers and Fans
The partnership between FED Fitness and the Houston Rockets is built on a shared focus on training, health, and fitness, as well as a mutual commitment to creating engaging, family-friendly experiences around the game.
Designed to benefit both organizations, the collaboration also delivers added value for Rockets fans through a variety of interactive activations and promotions. These include a sweepstakes for a VIP game experience, home training content featuring FED Fitness products and Houston Rockets personnel, and opportunities for co-branded merchandise offerings. Fans can also follow FED Fitness on social media to access exclusive, fans-only discounts.
About FED Fitness: Brand vision and global health mission
FED Fitness is a global home gym solution brand focused on delivering professional-grade equipment and digital training tools for home use.
Trusted by more than 12 million households worldwide, the brand is committed to helping individuals and families build sustainable fitness habits through accessible, high-quality solutions.
The partnership with the Houston Rockets further reinforces FED Fitness’s long-term vision of integrating professional training standards into home-based fitness and everyday life.
For more information, visit www.fedfitness.com
Hashtag: #FEDFitness
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
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