About
The Future of Network Acquisition
Connectivity Across Southeast Asia is continuously in digital advancement with its rapid cloud adoption, AI deployment, 5G expansion and hyperscaler investments, moulding the region’s connectivity landscape to fast track bigger, better and, even faster.
The Future of Network Acquisition (Singapore) dives into the groundbreaking mergers and acquisitions that reshapes the connectivity landscape, explores the consolidation of private and hyperscaler-led network acquisition and its acceleration of shift towards cloud-centric and edge networks and examine the rising importance of subsea and cross-border interconnections in an increasingly globalised digital world. As a high-level forum for telecommunications, subsea, peering and network acquisition professionals for regular hybrid forums and networking drinks, the aim is to build an eclectic community to share industry insights. Here, the Focus Intelligence forum shifts the futuristic digital infrastructure landscape by breaking through key challenges and discovering endless possibilities within this connectivity vortex.
Each sector will have its own dedicated session, bringing together experts and decision-makers together and discuss on sector-specific hurdles and practical strategies in overcoming them.
Our Sessions
Industry Outlook for Connectivity Across Southeast Asia
9.00am - 9.30am
Southeast Asia (SEA) is one of the fastest-growing digital economies, driving massive investments in connectivity, interconnect hubs, and network infrastructure. With a population of over 680 million, rapid cloud adoption, AI deployment, 5G expansion, and hyperscaler investments are reshaping the region’s connectivity landscape.
Southeast Asia is becoming a key interconnect region, linking Asia-Pacific, the U.S., and Europe.
Key Cross-Border Interconnect Developments:
- Singapore-Johor-Batam (SIJORI) corridor: Strengthening regional cloud and subsea connectivity.
- Okinawa positioning itself as an East-West digital bridge.
- Bangkok & Ho Chi Minh City growing as interconnect hotspots due to expanding cloud and 5G demand.
Smarter Network Acquisitions: Reducing Risk, Cost, and Complexity in a High-Stakes Environment
9.30am - 10.00am
As network acquisition activity intensifies across Southeast Asia and beyond, the pressure to streamline processes, reduce manual workload, and manage multi-layered risks—including cybersecurity and physical infrastructure vulnerabilities—has never been higher. This session explores how organisations are adapting their acquisition strategies to meet these challenges head-on.
How?
- The operational and security risks involved in acquiring network infrastructure—and how to address both physical and cyber threats in tandem
- Current pain points in the acquisition process, from due diligence to integration, and how they can be simplified
- The evolving role of automation and AI: where it’s helping today, and where it could go in the future
- Why human decision-making remains critical, especially in high-value or cross-border deals
Shift Towards Cloud-Centric & Edge Networks
10.00am - 10.30am
As enterprises, hyperscalers, and telecom operators seek faster, more scalable, and low-latency connectivity, acquisitions are focusing on cloud interconnects, edge data centers, and software-defined networking (SDN).
How?
- Network acquisitions will increasingly focus on providers with strong cloud interconnect capabilities.
- As latency reduction becomes a priority, companies will acquire edge networks and micro data centers to ensure faster data processing at local levels.
- Software-defined networking acquisitions will grow as companies move towards more flexible, software-driven infrastructure.
Strategic Network Acquisitions in the Age of Digital Sovereignty
10.30am - 11.00am
Exploring cross-border politics, hyper-scaler demand, and sovereign infrastructure goals that are driving the next wave of network Mergers and Acquisitions.
How?
- What’s driving today’s wave of network acquisitions — and how has the motivation changed over the past few years?
- How are cross-border data flows and national sovereignty concerns influencing network deployment and ownership strategies across the region?
- What factors make a network asset truly “strategic” in this current landscape?
Growing Role of Subsea & Cross-Border Interconnects
11.00am - 11.30am
The increasing demand for low-latency, high-bandwidth global connectivity is driving subsea and cross-border interconnect acquisitions. With the explosion of cloud computing, AI workloads, and 5G expansion, hyperscalers, telecom firms, and private investors are aggressively investing in subsea cables and interconnect hubs to control digital trade routes.
How?
- Global data traffic growth will drive acquisitions of subsea cable networks for enhanced international connectivity.
- Countries and corporations will acquire networks in strategic regions, such as Batam, Johor, Okinawa, to strengthen interconnect hubs.
- Comparing connectivity between Singapore–Johor Bahru and Singapore–Batam: ship traffic, feasibility, latency, and cost considerations. Opportunities to create a direct SG–JB path for improved network efficiency.
- How IXPs and colocation providers are expanding into subsea investments to strengthen their telco portfolios.
- Governments will impose stricter rules on network acquisitions due to data sovereignty concerns.
Rise of Sustainable & Green Network Acquisitions: The Future of Eco-Friendly Connectivity
11.30am - 12.00pm
The demand for sustainable and energy-efficient network infrastructure is driving a new wave of green acquisitions in the telecom, data center, and subsea cable industries. Companies are prioritizing low-carbon, renewable-powered, and energy-efficient networks to align with corporate ESG goals, regulatory mandates, and customer demand for greener digital infrastructure.
How?
- Companies will prioritize acquiring networks with sustainable infrastructure (renewable-powered data centers, low-carbon fiber optics).
- Regulatory pressures will drive acquisitions of companies with strong environmental compliance and energy-efficient operations.
- How network operators and telcos are incorporating sustainability into M&A—acquiring assets powered by renewables, designed for energy efficiency, and aligned with ESG benchmarks.