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    🇸🇬Singapore·Policy·17 Jul 2026·via E27

    WBBA convenes Asia-Pacific’s first Broadband Development Summit in Bangkok, launches AI-Net Certification

    The World Broadband Association (WBBA) recently convened the Asia-Pacific’s first Broadband Development Summit in Bangkok. This inaugural event brought together government officials, international standards bodies, and leading telecom operators from across the region. A key outcome of the summit was the launch of the AI-Net Certification, a new standard aimed at preparing network infrastructure for the demands of the artificial intelligence era. XLSmart was notably recognized as the first AI-Net Champion, signaling its leadership in adopting these new standards. The summit established a shared agenda for advancing network capabilities to support the growing integration of AI technologies across Asia-Pacific.

    Nexa's Summary

    The WBBA’s inaugural Broadband Development Summit in Bangkok and the introduction of AI-Net Certification mark a significant step in Asia’s digital infrastructure evolution. As AI adoption accelerates across various sectors, the underlying network infrastructure must be robust and intelligent enough to handle the immense data processing and low-latency requirements. This initiative signals a proactive approach by regional stakeholders to ensure that broadband networks are not just fast, but also optimized for AI workloads, which is crucial for fostering innovation and economic growth in the region.

    This development is particularly important for Asia, given its rapid digital transformation and the emergence of numerous AI-driven startups and enterprises. By establishing a certification like AI-Net, the WBBA is setting a benchmark for network quality and readiness, which could drive investment in infrastructure upgrades and encourage operators to integrate AI-centric features into their services. The recognition of XLSmart as the first AI-Net Champion also highlights the competitive landscape and the push for leadership in next-generation network capabilities, potentially influencing market dynamics as other operators strive to meet similar standards.

    Original reporting by E27We don't republish, read the full story →

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