Huawei’s Denny Deng Outlines Key Roles for Carriers in Pacific Islands’ Digital Growth at PITA 2025

TL;DR:

• Huawei’s Denny Deng delivered a keynote at PITA 2025, emphasizing the crucial role of carriers in the Pacific Islands’ digital economy.
• Deng highlighted three key values carriers deliver: Connection Value, Industry Value, and Era Value (integrating AI).
• He noted the significant progress in ICT development within the Pacific Islands and the opportunities for further 4G penetration.
• Huawei reaffirmed its commitment to innovation, sustainability, and collaboration to support the region’s digital transformation.

Mr. Denny Deng, President of the Carrier Business Group Asia Pacific Region at Huawei, delivered a keynote address at the Pacific Islands Telecommunications Association (PITA) 29th Annual Business Forum & Expo 2025. This prominent annual conference for the ICT industry in the Pacific region convened numerous representatives from governments, telecommunications companies, vendors, and media in Honiara, Solomon Islands.

On the opening day of PITA 2025, Mr. Deng’s keynote, themed “Strengthening Digital Sovereignty and Connectivity through Sustainable ICT Innovation,” underscored the transformative influence of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) on the digital economy of the Pacific Islands. His address highlighted the region’s rapid advancements in the digital sphere, the indispensable role played by carriers, and the vast potential that lies ahead with the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital services.

Three Key Values Delivered by Carriers

Mr. Deng articulated that carriers deliver three fundamental values to the Pacific Islands: Connection Value, Industry Value, and Era Value. Firstly, Connection Value involves fostering a fully interconnected ecosystem encompassing individuals, homes, and the Internet of Things (IoT). This interconnectedness is pivotal in propelling the expansion of digital services across the Pacific Islands, while also presenting significant opportunities to increase 4G penetration for broader connectivity.

Secondly, Industry Value centers on maximizing the impact of ICT in advancing the digital economy and cultivating a collaborative and sustainable business environment within the region. Finally, Era Value emphasizes the integration of intelligence into society through initiatives focused on AI-driven transformations. These transformations can address the unique challenges faced by the Pacific Islands, such as geographical isolation, the development of robust data infrastructure, and vulnerability to natural disasters. Collectively, carriers deliver these three key values to drive both societal connectivity and economic growth in the Pacific Islands through the adoption of innovative technology.

Progress and Opportunities in the Pacific Islands’ Digital Landscape

Mr. Deng acknowledged the substantial progress the Pacific Islands have made in ICT development over the past year. Mirroring the strong GDP growth observed in the broader Asia Pacific region, digital services are experiencing a boom, fueled by increasing connectivity and innovation. While 4G penetration continues its expansion across the islands, Mr. Deng noted that there remains considerable room for further growth, presenting carriers with valuable opportunities to bridge existing connectivity gaps and enhance network coverage in underserved areas.

Furthermore, Mr. Deng commended the collective efforts of the industry in advancing digital infrastructure, expressing his appreciation to trusted partners for their ongoing collaboration in driving sustainable and inclusive progress throughout the region.

Huawei’s Commitment to Innovation and Sustainability

As a global leader in the ICT sector, Huawei maintains an unwavering commitment to both innovation and sustainability. In 2024, the company intensified its investments in Research and Development (R&D), with a specific focus on developing cutting-edge solutions that empower carriers to deliver superior connectivity and enhanced efficiency. Sustainability remains a cornerstone of Huawei’s overarching strategy, with the development and deployment of green ICT solutions aimed at reducing energy consumption and minimizing environmental impact across the Pacific region.

Mr. Deng’s speech conveyed gratitude to Huawei’s partners for their trust and continued collaboration, reinforcing the company’s steadfast dedication to supporting the digital transformation of the Pacific Islands through the provision of reliable and future-ready technologies.

The Catalytic Role of the Digital Economy and AI

Mr. Deng emphasized that the digital economy serves as a powerful engine for growth in the Pacific, unlocking new possibilities across a diverse range of industries. Carriers play a crucial role in this ongoing evolution by enhancing productivity, bolstering security, and improving the overall user experience across business-to-business (2B), business-to-consumer (2C), and business-to-home (2H) sectors. He underscored that robust connection is an essential element in leveraging ICT technology to boost various industries, including video and live broadcasting, education, healthcare, and government services.

Artificial Intelligence is poised to revolutionize the digital landscape of the Pacific Islands. With significant breakthroughs in automation, sophisticated data analytics, and intelligent applications, AI has the potential to enhance productivity and operational efficiency across numerous sectors. Mr. Deng stressed that carriers must continue to invest in robust infrastructure to effectively pave the way for widespread AI adoption, ensuring that the region remains competitive within the global digital economy.

A Pivotal Moment for the Pacific Islands’ Digital Journey

Mr. Deng concluded by stating that the Pacific Islands stand at a pivotal moment in their digital journey. By strengthening connectivity, proactively embracing Artificial Intelligence, and fostering robust industry collaboration, the region has the potential to unlock unprecedented levels of growth and innovation. He reaffirmed Huawei’s enduring commitment to supporting this transformative vision, working in close partnership with stakeholders to build a smarter and more connected Pacific.

As the ICT industry continues its rapid acceleration, the three key values identified by Mr. Deng for accelerating the digital economy—Connection, Industry, and Era—will continue to guide progress, ensuring that the Pacific Islands fully harness the vast potential of the digital age. He closed his address with the powerful statement, “In Pacific, For Pacific. Together, We Transform, Together, We Lead Digital Economy Growth.”