AirAsia ’s Teleport partners with McDonald’s for timely and fast-moving deliveries

Since the pandemic, we notice that everyone is into food delivery. McDonalds partners with Air Asia's Teleport t ensure fast moving of your favorite McDo meals like Big Mac and Fries and well-loved local favorites like Chicken McDo and McSpaghetti.

AirAsia’s logistics arm Teleport inked a partnership with one of the country’s largest fast-food chains - Golden Arches Development Corporation (McDonald’s Philippines), to support and ensure a fast-moving delivery of orders within the National Capital Region (NCR).

 

To kick off the partnership, AirAsia’s Teleport and McDonald’s executives initiated the send off with around 10 members of the airasia delivery team , some of whom are AirAsia cabin crew, pilots and ground staff at McDonald’s McKinley West, who will start delivering orders of customers within Metro Manila starting in Paranaque and Pasay City. 

Teleport is an end-to-end logistics experience built for modern businesses. Aside from the last-mile delivery service of transferring items fast and safely to doorsteps performed by the airasia delivery team, Teleport also runs air cargo operations using AirAsia’s fleet and wide network of flights, utilizing existing space on passenger planes to reduce transport costs while accessing over 125 cities across Southeast Asia.

 

And now, the same level of efficiency can be experienced by McDonald’s customers when they order their favorite meals through the McDonald’s PH App.  

Ordering, payment, and delivery tracking will be through McDonald’s channels, while AirAsia’s Teleport will ensure the safe, hot and fresh and on-time deliveries of meals from McDonald's stores right to the doorsteps of customers.

AirAsia CEO Ricky Isla said, “This partnership with McDonald's forms part of AirAsia’s pivot to digital transformation and opening of other lines of businesses that will provide job opportunities to everyone who have been severely impacted by the ongoing pandemic. 

 

At AirAsia, we will continue to be agile and welcoming to meaningful and positive changes that inspire growth and economic development.”

 

Teleport Country Head Ernest Bernal said, “Aside from the NCR, Teleport is now present in key cities in the country such as Bacolod, Cebu, Davao, General Santos, Iloilo, Kalibo, Puerto Princesa, Tacloban, Tagbilaran, Clark, Cagayan de Oro, and Zamboanga.We hope to partner with McDonald’s in these key cities to service more McDonald’s stores in the country.

AirAsia-Teleport is looking forward to the growth of our partnership with Golden Arches Development Corp. (GADC) to expand our services nationwide, as well as Southeast Asia through AirAsia’s expansive network across cities and countries.” 

McDonald’s in the Philippines is one of the largest markets in the region with close to 660 outlets nationwide to date, with more slated to open this 2021.

The company’s continued expansion and growing demand of Filipinos for McDonald’s globally iconic products like Big Mac and Fries and well-loved local favorites like Chicken McDo and McSpaghetti, has challenged AirAsia-Teleport to also strive to ‘deliver’.” 

McDonald’s Philippines Managing Director Margot Torres adds, “our partnership with AirAsia is part of the company’s on-going digital transformation journey which started in 2009 with the launch of our McDelivery website, followed by the launch of our McDelivery App in 2014, use of 3POs in 2018 and cashless payment for McDelivery in 2020. It was through these strategic investments that enabled the company to survive the pandemic, and in our continuous pursuit of this [digital transformation], will allow us to future proof our business.”   

McDonald’s Philippines CEO Kenneth Yang said, “We have seen the tremendous growth of our delivery business last year, which, enabled by digital technology, allowed us to serve more customers conveniently and safely from the comfort of their homes. Through partnerships like this with AirAsia and Teleport, we will be able to cater to the growing demand while maintaining the high standards of quality, commitment to convenience and accessibility, that McDonald’s is known for here in the Philippines and all over the world“.

How to spot a scam and prevent ourselves from getting victimized by phishers

Phishing is defined as a form of social engineering which attempts to acquire sensitive information or data (such as usernames, passwords, email addresses, account numbers, and One-Time Passwords, etc.) through fraudulent means. The pandemic pushed us to bank online to make transactions more convenient throughout prolonged lockdowns. Since then, phishers have become more creative, and continue to find innovative ways to trick people into clicking links or buttons and divulging confidential information.

Before presenting the steps that phishers take to maliciously acquire data, one fact needs to be underscored: contrary to the stereotype that movies often romanticize, phishers are not necessarily socially awkward hackers that spend their entire day in front of a computer. Moreover, they do not use complicated programs or devices to manipulate bank records. Phishers are all about efficiency, thus, their preferred method is to trick their victims into unwittingly giving them the information they need. 

That said, phishers use psychology to make us give up our personal and financial information that will allow them access to our accounts. Metrobank, one of the country’s top financial institutions, gave us a peek on how phishers think.

Choosing a Pond

Phishers randomly collect as many email addresses and phone numbers as they can. This is usually done by snooping around in social media, looking for profiles that have their email addresses and/or phone numbers in full display. Other sources that have email addresses and mobile numbers are those that may have been exposed to the public, mobile apps that were compromised/hacked, etc. Once they have a suitable number of potential victims, it’s time to cast the net.

It is best to use an alternate email address or mobile number for non-financial transactions to avoid compromising the email addresses and mobile numbers we use for banking purposes.  

Setting the Bait

Phishers will now attempt to contact potential victims via phone call, text, or email. They do this to get more personal information that may be used in security verification procedures. In truth, phishers don’t really know for sure if a potential victim does indeed have an account with a specific bank, but they play the odds and hope that there are matches. 

 

There are many ways to do this, but the most common way is to send alarming messages about how our accounts have supposedly been compromised, or that we need to verify our accounts in light of “new security measures”. These emails and messages are designed to elicit an emotional response--to fool us into thinking that it is an urgent message that came from the bank. These messages will usually have “spoofed” or faked email addresses or phone IDs to make it look official. It will then include a link or buttons to what seems to be the bank’s log-in page.

 

One thing we all must remember is disregard the message and NEVER click any links or buttons coming from these kinds of emails. As a rule, banks will never give you a shortcut link via email or SMS that will lead you to their online platforms, and in case these logins are needed, customers are encouraged to manually log-in via a web browser or through their official apps.

 

The pages that are linked from these scam emails are fake. If we enter our username and password, phishers can take over our accounts and will have all the information they need for their next step.

Open Sesame

Less than a decade ago, usernames and passwords were enough to get into our accounts. Passwords became easy to crack, hence banks added an extra layer of security by using technology like two-factor authentication to verify your identity or transaction.

 

Two-factor authentication uses either a One-Time Password (OTP) that is sent to our registered mobile phones, or randomized codes generated via an official app to verify logins and transactions.

 

To completely access our accounts, the phishers will once again attempt to contact us via phone and text, usually pretending to be personnel from our bank. They will then try to convince us to give OTP that was sent to our phone. By this time, they have already collected various personal information, and will therefore sound quite legitimate. 

 

As always reiterated by bank advisories, we should NEVER give our OTPs or generated codes to anyone, even if they seem like they have all the other information that only our banks would have. Once we are fooled into giving our OTP, that is the final key that they need to open our accounts and have their way with it.

Hook, Line, and Sinker 

In case we are victimized by phishers through the methods outlined above, there is little that we, or our banks, can do. We can file a complaint with the bank, and they will investigate what really happened, but likely it will be determined that our accounts were accessed solely through the standard log-in process, because correct login information and OTPs were shared and that’s how we are fooled by phishers.

 

It must be emphasized that security is a shared responsibility. Phishers do not attack banks -- they attack us: the customers. We should be aware of our responsibility in securing our account. We must keep our log-in information and OTPs from falling into the hands of phishers. We must be careful not to give them to anyone else.

 

That is why banks are also doing their best to inform us about these modus operandi. Currently, Metrobank is leading an industry-wide information campaign called Scamproof.PH. Scamproof is a website that has information on the latest scams and reminders on how to spot and avoid them. Visitors of the site can also submit scams that they have encountered. Submitted scams are then investigated then added into the database so more people would know about them.

 

We need to be educated on how we can spot a scam and prevent ourselves from getting victimized by phishers. Visit https://www.scamproof.ph/ or https://metrobank.com.ph/fight-fraud/ for more fraud tips and advisories. In case we do encounter scams, it would also be prudent to report them by contacting our respective banks.

Shopee invites Filipinos to tune in to the 3.3 Shopee Milyonaryo TV Special on GMA 7’s Tutok to Win and Shopee Live this March 3!

Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, invites Filipinos to tune in to the  on GMA 7’s Tutok to Win and Shopee Live this March 3, 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM. The show will kick off Shopee’s first mega sale of the year with special celebrity appearances and big cash prizes.

 

Michele Gumabao and Andrea Torres will co-host alongside Shopee’s newest brand ambassador, Willie Revillame. Fans can also look forward to segments featuring Juancho Trivino and Patricia Tumulak, plus performances from Kelley Day, Ella Cruz, Julian Trono, Mark Herras, and Rodjun Cruz.

Viewers can expect an hour and a half of non-stop giveaways amounting to over ₱5,000,000 worth of prizes:

 

Watch & Win: Join Watch & Win for a chance to be one of the three lucky winners to get ₱50,000 in cash and ₱10,000 worth of ShopeePay credits each. Register on the Shopee app to participate. Lucky winners will get a call from Willie Revillame.

Shopee Shake: Play Shopee Shake on your phone to win cash prizes! Tune in to the show at 5:30 PM, 5:45 PM, and 6:00 PM to play. The top players for each session will get to take home ₱150,000, ₱250,000, or ₱500,000, respectively. 

Shopee Milyonaryo Pera o Kahon: Want to become the next Shopee Milyonaryo? Take part in Shopee Milyonaryo Pera o Kahon by claiming a raffle code from the Shopee app from March 2, 6:30 PM until March 3, 4:00 PM. The participant with the winning raffle code will be called on-air to choose among six bags, five of which contain ₱0. Only one bag will contain the ₱1,000,000 jackpot prize.

Flash deals from brands: Catch Tutok to Win to enjoy flash deals from top brands on Shopee Mall. Get discounts from Huawei, realme, Vivo, Lactum, Enfagrow, SC Johnson, Domino’s, and Bonchon, all available during the TV special.

Performances from top entertainers: Watch today’s hottest performers such as Kelley Day, Andrea Torres, Ella Cruz, Julian Trono, Mark Herras, Rodjun Cruz, Philippine Island Assassins, and Urban Crew try to outdance each other during the Dance Showdown. 

 

The Shopee 3.3 - 4.4 Mega Shopping Sale, which runs until April 4, 2021, will feature up to 70% off on authentic brands from Shopee Mall, such as Havaianas Philippines, Huggies Philippines, Realme, P&G Beauty, Pampers, Nestlé, Garnier, Enfagrow, Unilever Beauty, Vivo, and Xiaomi. 

 

For more information on the best deals during the 3.3 - 4.4 Mega Sale, visit https://shopee.ph/m/3-3.

 

Don't forget to shop, buy load, and pay bills with ShopeePay to enjoy discounts and rewards. Top up at least ₱300 on March 2 for a chance to win ₱20,000! Check out https://shopee.ph/m/shopeepay-3-3-top-up-promo for more details.

 

Download the Shopee app for free via the App Store or Google Play.

realme is dropping the price of one of its most powerful smartphones, the realme 7 Pro

To boost the realme TechLife experience that is about to be launched in the country, the no. 1 smartphone brand realme Philippines is dropping the price of one of its most powerful smartphones, the realme 7 Pro, by Php 2,000 starting February 26! The midrange champ now retails for only Php 15,990 in the official flagship stores of realme Philippines on Lazada and Shopee, and in official realme dealers and stores nationwide. 

With its sharp camera quality headlined by a 64MP quad-camera module, and large-capacity 4,500mAh battery supported by a 65W Super Dart charging technology, the realme 7 Pro is now truly all set to empower digital natives, content creators, and gaming champions to achieve success in their respective online endeavors.

“As we welcome the realme TechLife locally, we make one of our most powerful devices much more attainable for Filipinos. More Filipinos can now enjoy next-level midrange performance and the digital experience promised by interconnectivity with the realme 7 Pro! Go and slay your social media game and mobile battles with this powerful device,” shares 

No more wall-hugging, charge in 34 minutes

The wave of fast-charging technology has taken the smartphone industry by storm. As a pioneer on this front, realme made sure to power its young users with a top-notch 65W SuperDart charging capacity in the realme 7 Pro, letting them off of prolonged stays near a charging port. The realme 7 Pro only takes 34 minutes to fully charge its 4,500mAh battery. Users are assured to spend more time with the phone rather than charging cables!

 

Selfie Power-up with Powerful Front Camera

With the increasing number of virtual meetings and social media interactions brought by the pandemic,  the realme 7 Pro’s  32MP in-display front camera can help users engage with colleagues and followers with clarity. 

 

Aspiring battle arena champions and corporate gladiators can also enjoy the immersive experience offered by the realme 7 Pro’s 6.4-inch Super AMOLED screen w/ FHD+ 2400 x 1080 resolution. 

 

A Content Creators’ Dream of Awesome Cameras

Kickstarting TikTok and YouTube goals this year? The realme 7 Pro is just what new content creators might need to record the latest dance challenge or home vlogs. The realme 7 Pro has advanced video recording features such as the UIS & UIS max video stabilization, ultra-wide video capability, real-time bokeh effect video, slo-mo video and 4K UHD video.

 

The realme 7 Pro is the latest in realme’s number series. It was launched alongside the realme 7 and 7i in towards the end of 2020. Just like the smartphones in its line-up, the realme 7 Pro was welcomed warmly by tech experts in the Philippines, lauding the phone’s charging capability and quad-camera set-up. 

 

To stay updated and know more about the realme events and promos, customers are encouraged to follow and visit realme’s official Facebook and Instagram accounts.

PLDT Home donates Home Wifi Prepaid units to DepEd

PLDT Home, through the PLDT Smart Foundation (PSF), recently turned over to the Department of Education (DepEd) one thousand units of Home WiFi Prepaid to enable public school teachers to experience a faster and more reliable internet connection as they conduct online classes, part of the DepEd’s blended learning strategy in these pandemic times.

 “We are happy to assist the DepEd and its teachers in conducting online classes and facilitating learning among students amid the restrictions brought about by the current pandemic. Our support to the country’s dedicated and hardworking teachers has always been profound. Our gratitude to them, immeasurable. The PLDT Home WiFi Prepaid will definitely help them manage digital education and reliably connect with their students,” said PSF President Ma. Esther O. Santos. 

DepEd Undersecretary Tonisito Umali said, 

“We really appreciate these donations from PLDT. Thank you! The Home WiFi Prepaid will be a great help to teachers in their online classes. These units will be distributed to them as soon as possible and we will immediately send to PLDT the list of schools actually receiving the units.” 

 

The Home WiFi Prepaid units form part of the proceeds from the PLDT Home-sponsored virtual concert, At Home with PLDT: No Learner Left Behind, held in July last year. PLDT Home supports the No Learner Left Behind movement which aims to maintain quality education of students and youths affected by the pandemic with projects and partnerships positioned to deliver the needed tools and proper learning environments.

 

Featuring famous singers and musical artists, the livestreamed concert was conducted for the benefit of students, educators, and schools nationwide so that No Learner is Left Behind. Donations during the virtual event were coursed through the PSF’s Paymaya and bank accounts.

 

Earlier, PLDT Home and PSF turned over five sets of School-in-a-Bag to the DepEd and distributed Home WiFi Prepaid units and load cards, also part of the virtual concert’s proceeds, to deserving scholars of AHA Learning Center and Kris for Peace Organization, among others. More load cards and WiFi units will likewise be donated to other public schools in the coming months.

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno supports the nationwide #VaccineAlamin campaign

The COVID-19 vaccine is gradually becoming available around the world, and in the Philippines, preparations are underway for a vaccination program roll-out in the coming months. Vaccination plays a key role in ending the COVID-19 pandemic by preparing a person's immune system to fight the virus, should you be exposed. This potentially helps to reduce its spread within entire communities. 

 

At present, majority of Filipinos are still unwilling to receive the vaccine due to concerns over its safety, according to the latest Pulse Asia survey. This poses a challenge to the implementation plans of both local and national government units. To address this, the City Government of Manila has partnered with TikTok for #VaccineAlamin, a COVID-19 vaccine education campaign. #VaccineAlamin aims to boost awareness on the health benefits of immunization, and spread accurate information about the COVID-19 vaccine to the public.

 

The #VaccineAlamin Campaign was launched via TikTok Live last February 22. During the event, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno provided an overview of what local government units are doing to support the nationwide vaccination program. According to him, their goal is not to force people to get vaccinated, but instead encourage and help educate them, to enable more Filipinos to make informed decisions once the vaccination program is underway. 

 

Mayor Isko identified fear and misinformation as two of the biggest barriers that need to be broken down. He said, "Kaya nagkaroon ng doubt ang ating mga kababayan, dahil dun sa nangyaring isang bakuna na medyo nagkaroon ng masamang impresyon ang mga mamamayan. Pangalawa, 'yung mga misinformation about existing vaccines all over the world."

 

The mayor also stressed the importance of communication, adding that the most effective strategy is to engage people, and make sure that they have access to factual information. He said, "I think it's more on talking to the people, kaya kami nagpapasalamat sa TikTok, because this is a set of audience, because of its demographics, if we can use this type of outlet, malaking bagay kasi 'yung tao directly makatatanong samin." He adds, "Having TikTok nowadays, helps

us. People are into it, so why not use it as a form of communication. Sa dami nang binabasa ng mga tao ngayon, sa dami ng pumapasok na impormasyon sa tao ngayon, kailangan maging catchy."

Manila City Health Officer, Dr. Arnold Pangan, also spoke at the launch event. He explained some important things that people need to know about the vaccine. Dr. Pangan clarified that, while the vaccine protects you from suffering from a serious form of COVID-19, it is still possible to get the disease after being vaccinated against it. This is why it is important to still take precautions such as physical distancing and mask-wearing. 

 

According to Dr. Pangan, "You may still be infected with the COVID-19 virus, tuloy-tuloy pa rin dapat ang ating pag-iingat kahit social distancing, kahit wearing of mask, kasi it's not a guarantee. Pag nabakunahan ka na, ang maganda doon, you will be protected from having a severe form of COVID-19 infection."

 

Members of the TikTok community can show their support for the #VaccineAlamin Campaign by using the hashtag, and sharing creative content filled with factual information about the virus and the vaccine to boost awareness. Whether it is a skit, a song, or a dance video, as long as it helps spread #VaccineAlamin's message, it is sure to make a difference. Mayor Isko himself issued a challenge to TikTok creators to join the hashtag challenge in order to amplify the campaign. He said, "Create a video that will help inform others about #VaccineAlamin Campaign, i will copy it and tag you!"

 

TikTok values the safety of the entire community, and the #VaccineAlamin campaign is a great example for how the platform can be used to do good. Through its dynamic features like TikTok Live and hashtags, information dissemination becomes easy, enjoyable, and relatable, while still being meaningful and impactful. As CNN Philippines News Anchor, James Deakin, who hosted the launch event, said, "It's such a pleasure to use this platform in a way that I never foresaw, but it is very effective. We just want to be able to reach out to as many people as possible. We'd like to thank TikTok for making this possible, for inviting us over here to share this information. As we keep saying, I hope it doesnt sound cliché, we're all in this together."

 

Learn more about #VaccineAlamin on TikTok, and help spread the word about the importance of getting vaccinated against COVID-19. Download the app on your iOS and Android devices today to get started.

Three reasons to look forward to VeMoBro’s 3.3 sale

VeMoBro, the country’s newest Filipino-made e-commerce platform, invites shoppers to experience worry-free shopping and leveled-up shipping during its whole day of nonstop promotions on March 3.

 

Here are three reasons to look forward to VeMoBro’s 3.3 sale:

1.     Tons of exciting deals and discounts

 

VeMoBro is treating every Juan to an entire day of exclusive sales and promos. Keep yourself logged on to vemobro.com.ph or to VeMoBro’s mobile app to catch these exciting deals:

 

Php300 off for the first 33 buyers: If you have been working on your check out speed, then you’ll surely grab VeMoBro’s first treat of the day! For a minimum cart value of Php1,000, VeMoBro is slashing Php300 off the total checkout price for the first 33 buyers.

 

Up to 50% discount on flash sales: Stay glued to the VeMoBro website or mobile application to catch flash deals of up to 50% off! Need a hint? These deals will appear on the website’s homepage and the mobile application. So keep those gadgets close on 3.3 to get first dibs on discounted items such as this macaroon earphones and this Android television box. 

 

Further markdowns on essential items: Have you started filling that shopping cart yet? You just got luckier this 3.3! VeMoBro is slashing off huge discounts on some of its essential items. Score a wearable air purifier at 15% off or wireless Bluetooth earbuds at 20% off. You can also get favorite breakfast items such as bacon and franks at 6% off. 

 

More savings with bundled items: Double up the shopping fun with VeMoBro’s BOGO deals! Purchase two of some items such as these eye roller serums or clay masks and get the second item at 20% off. 

 

Php100K worth of exclusive discount vouchers: VeMoBro will also be giving away discount vouchers for even more savings on your checkout price. Just be sure to keep an eye on VeMoBro’s website and mobile app and follow VeMoBro on Facebook and Instagram so you won’t miss on these discount vouchers. 

 

Free shipping nationwide: To top off your 3.3 shopping spree, VeMoBro will be treating its customers to free shipping courtesy of its trusted logistics partners, Blue Panther, Cargo Padala Express and Byaheros Express. 

 

2.     Guaranteed authentic products from trusted merchants

VeMoBro’s utmost mission is to become a digital shopping platform that Filipinos can trust. Each of VeMoBro’s merchants underwent a stringent screening process before they can officially sell their products on the VeMoBro platform. 

 

With VeMoBro’s fail-safe measures, you will not only be treated to various deals and discounts this 3.3 but will also have that peace of mind knowing that your purchases are from legitimate sellers. 

 

3.     Bonus: A post-sale giveaway!

The fun does not stop on 3.3! VeMoBro will have a special giveaway from March 4 until March 12 where shoppers can win up to Php10,000 worth of prizes! 

 

For more information on VeMoBro’s post-sale giveaway, be sure to stay tuned and follow VeMoBro on Facebookand Instagram.

 

“VeMoBro is excited to kick off our first sitewide sale since our official launch in the Philippine market. Our platform is created with the convenience of our customers in mind and through our 3.3 sale, we hope to better communicate our commitment of emphasizing excellent digital shopping services by giving our customers a safe and hassle-free shopping experience,” VeMoBro CEO Engr. Vergil Bargola shared.

 

Start filling up your carts today and prepare for VeMoBro’s 3.3 sale by creating your own VeMoBro account at vemobro.com.ph or downloading VeMoBro’s mobile application from the Google Play Store.

At "Connected for Shared Prosperity" forum, government representatives discuss solutions for better sustainable development

A day before the much anticipated MWC Shanghai 2021, government representatives gathered at the Jumeirah Himalayas Hotel in Shanghai for the “Connected for Shared Prosperity Forum”

 

The forum was hosted Huawei, GSMA, the Center for Environmental Economic Studies at Fudan University, and The Paper and supported by UNESCO. The forum brings the public and private sector together to tackle climate change and advance sustainable development  and discuss solutions for better sustainable development. 

 

Among the distinguished panel of speakers were María Reyes Maroto Spanish Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism; Pedro Nuno Santos, Portuguese Minister of Infrastructure and Housing; László Palkovics, Hungarian Minister of Innovation and Technology; Dato' Saifuddin bin Abdullah of Malaysian Minister of Communications and Multimedia, and Vunnaporn Devahastin from the Thai Secretary-General of the National Digital Economy and Society Commission. 

All speakers agreed that the global economic recovery is increasing instep with greater enforcement of pandemic control measures. They also agreed that reductions in emissions, more jobs, and more initiatives in facilitating prosperity are needed to attain the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2030 and the Paris Agreement's long-term goals. Multiple speakers identified digital technologies and global collaboration as essential in this process.

 

More than 1,000 guests from over 50 countries attended the forum either online or onsite, and discussions were live broadcast in eight languages. Attendees agreed that digital technologies have become the foundation of sustainable development and will benefit more people in multiple aspects.

 

Huawei Senior Vice President and Director of the Board Catherine Chen also delivered a keynote speech at the forum stating Huawei's belief that the ultimate goal of technology is to benefit all humans, and that digital technologies can facilitate the UN SDGs. She then called on enterprises to take firm action to use technology to create more value for the world as a whole.

 

Huawei has long been an advocate for supporting technological advancement. In 2020, Huawei recycled over 4,500 tons of electronic waste Through multiple initiatives including a reduction of plastics in their phone packaging (1.8 million shopping bags of plastic saved per 10 million phones) and a reduction of 148 million tons of CO2 emissions through the deployment of their FusionSolar solution in more than 60 countries and regions (equivalent to planting more than 200 million trees). Huawei also helped build the world's largest agricultural PV power plant and fishery PV power plant in Ningxia and Shandong, respectively, both of which have contributed significantly to local environmental protection efforts.

 

"Ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all" has also been set as one of the UN SDGs. 

 

As of the end of 2020, Huawei's TECH4ALL Connecting Schools and DigiTruck programs have been brought to more than 200 schools, benefiting over 60,000 teachers and students. In a related program, Huawei is also collaborating with UNESCO on a three-year Open Schools program in Egypt, Ethiopia, and Ghana that will help schools improve digital skills and support online education.

 

The Director General of the GSMA Mats Granryd said, "In 2016, the mobile industry was the first to fully commit to the 17 SDGs. And we have been at work ever since, contributing to every one of the 17 goals, including climate action, digital inclusion, and sustainability."

 

Stefania Giannini, USESCO's Assistant Director-General for Education, stated that information and communications technologies (ICT) play a crucial role in ensuring educational continuity, making education more inclusive, and providing lifelong learning solutions through interactive websites, online libraries, and video courses.

 

European Parliament Member Frances Fitzgerald also noted that, with the roll out of 5G wireless networks, the world is on the threshold of the next revolution. 5G has the potential to impact positively on people's lives and well-being in areas such as health, education, and food production, and digital technologies will facilitate sustainable development goals.

 

Zhang Wenhong, Director of the Fudan University Huashan Hospital Infectious Disease Department, also spoke out about the need to continue supporting unhindered development, citing how both social unity and advances in science and technology are critical in combating epidemics. He went on to say that the current pandemic has only emphasized how urgently we need to address developmental issues that result in environmental destruction.

 

The Director of Fudan University's Center for Environmental Economic Studies Li Zhiqing closed out the event saying, "China is pushing for comprehensive green transformation of social and economic development, and peaking carbon emissions and achieving carbon neutrality are the top priority in the transformation. We should encourage innovation in disciplines like economics, finance, and ecological environment which span liberal arts and engineering, so as to fill the gap in talent needed for sustainable development in the future."

 

MWC Shanghai 2021 runs from February 23 to February 25 in Shanghai, China. Huawei showcases its products and solutions at booth E10, E50, and E90 in Hall N1 in the Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC). For more information, please visit https://carrier.huawei.com/en/events/mwcs2021

 

Believe in the power of technology for the benefit of the society, says Huawei's Catherine Chen

“Looking back over history, we've seen how large social changes happen in lockstep with breakthroughs in science and technology. But today, technological advancements are hyped and politicized, sometimes demonized.”

 

This was one of the observations made by Catherine Chen, Huawei Senior Vice President and Board Member as she addressed the Connected for Shared Prosperity Forum at the ongoing MWC Shanghai 2021.

 

“We've all had mixed feelings about 2020. The pandemic has changed our lives. Many things we took for granted no longer exist and our values have changed. My biggest takeaway from the past year has been just how hard it is for society to reach a consensus. There seems to be constant conflict and disagreement, from deciding if it's necessary to impose lockdowns to debating if it's worth it to wear a mask.”

 Chen, however, still asserts that technology can be used as an engine for human progress and crucial to advancing the goals of the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

 

In her keynote speech titled "Believe in the Power of Technology" called on individuals and businesses to think big and act small as she reiterated her support of the UN's sustainable development goals and building a green, innovative and inclusive world.

 

“Today, we've come together to discuss the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals. I, personally, believe that technology is crucial to advancing these goals, and together, we must do two things to fully unleash the power of technology and drive sustainable development.

Our first challenge will be to reach an honest consensus on whether technology is an engine of human progress.

 

The first challenge she said will be to reach an honest consensus on whether technology is an engine of human progress as many have stopped believing in the power of technology because of fear and distrust. Some are going to great lengths to hinder the development of technology.

 

“I recently read a report, which said that any important digital platform that is dominated by China will be highly dangerous to the US if not effectively contained and that 5G was one such platform.”

 

5G is a standardized technology defined by its high bandwidth, low latency, and broad connectivity. It helps traditional industries transform and can benefit all. Wide-scale 5G deployment can already be seen in multiple industries around the world. Every-day consumers are benefiting from 5G experiences, while industrial use in seaports, mines, and the transportation sector is increasing operational efficiency.

“If we claim that technology is critically important but its development is ideologically wrong, this will only result in division, confusion, and regression. We must reach a global consensus on this issue and believe in the power of technology to leverage it for the benefit of the society.”

 

Chen said there is always the danger that someone will abuse a new technology, but notes that this is not a new concern. “Since the industrial revolution, we have seen how establishing rules to manage technological risks can safeguard us. Through rules, technological developments can transcend national boundaries and improve the livelihoods of all without incurring undue risk. We are entering a digital era, and many are hard at work creating the governance rules for cyber security, privacy protection, and trusted AI that will keep us safe. For the rest of us, it’s time to be confident and open to technological development.”

 The second challenge will be taking resolute action to make technology truly effective/ and create value for all.

 

“It may be hard to reach a consensus, but it is easy to shut down technology. For enterprises, believing in tech can start from something small. For example, let's look at the minimum viable product concept. Typically, MVP refers to the product development stage where what you've made just meets the most critical of user requirements while using the smallest amount of resources. That MVP can then be constantly iterated and refined after its launch.

 

Building broad consensus is difficult, so we can draw on this MVP concept to help technological advancement continue. By focusing on the limited common understanding we have right now and by keeping in mind what resources are actually available, we can drive progress step by step. Iteration means perfect. Fostering conflict will mean stagnation.”

 

The Connected for Shared Prosperity Forum was held at Jumeirah Himalayas Hotel in Shanghai by Huawei, Global Mobile Association (GSMA), Center of Environmental Economics of Fudan University, and The Paper. Participants joined both online and in person to discuss the value of digital technologies in sustainable development for a better, connected world, representing organizations from around the world, including international industry regulators and think tanks from China, Malaysia, Spain, Thailand, Hungary and Portugal. More than 1000 guests from over 50 countries attended the conference online.

 

Huawei has always supported technological advancement. We believe, ultimately, tech benefits humanity. We also believe digital tech will help the UN achieve its SDGs. Already, Huawei has explored many applications of digital tech guided by the SDGs.

 

Huawei's Smart PV solution is being widely used in more than 60 countries to reduce carbon emissions by 148 million tons. This is the equivalent of planting more than 200 million trees. In Ethiopia alone, we have helped our customers deploy over 400 solar power stations, reducing carbon emissions by 2,850 tons. In China, we have also helped build the world's largest solar stations dedicated to agriculture and fishing in Ningxia and Shandong provinces.

 

What’s more, Huawei and UNESCO launched the Open Schools program over the course of a three-year partnership, to help schools in Egypt, Ethiopia, and Ghana improve their digital skills with online education.

 

Every one of these examples, every single connection, every gram of emissions reduced, every watt of electricity saved, every small improvement we've made, couldn't have been achieved without small advances in tech. This is the value tech brings to the world.