CommunicAsia 2011 zooms in on popular biz tech

COMMUNICASIA, SINGAPORE-- To help visitors "zoom in" on products they are interested in, this year's CommunicAsia exhibition features five different tech zones: fiber for next-gen services, next-gen services and applications, OEM/ODM (original equipment manufacturer/original design manufacturer) in action, sustainable ICT and cloud computing.

Photo and caption by Liau Yun Qing

Gowell, a Shenzhen-based mobile phone OEM, says it has customers in Asia--namely India and China--South America and Europe. A representative told ZDNet Asia that the base price of a phone is from US$22 to US$120 and handset vendors usually resell the phones at double the price. Each phone model is only sold to one player in each geographical market, she noted.

According to the spokesperson, the phones are based on the company's proprietary hardware and software, which are developed in its research and development (R&D) center. Most of the phones include dual-SIM capability.

ZDNet Asia was unable to take close-up shots of the handsets as some are still prototypes.

Photo and caption by Liau Yun Qing

U.S.-based software-as-a-service (SaaS) provider Zoho returns to CommunicAsia this year at the cloud computing tech zone.

Zoho's Singapore distributor Cananex shared that the SaaS company will be setting shop here on Jul. 1. The local office will act as a gateway to the China and Japan markets, said Cananex CEO Ong Yang Peng.

Photo and caption by Liau Yun Qing

At the next-gen services and applications tech zone, ST Electronics shows off the Smart Travel Information System. Sing Mong Kee, vice president of intelligent transport systems and international business, explained that the system can be placed in commercial areas so drivers and commuters can check the real-time traffic situation before commencing on their journeys. Building owners can allocate part of the information display for advertising or display announcements, he added.

Photo and caption by Liau Yun Qing

Also on display at ST Electronics is the oTTo-Go Telematics Service Hub, an integrated service platform which allows vehicle owners to stay connected with real-time traffic information and other driver-oriented services such parking information, emergency services and also--interestingly--lottery.

Photo and caption by Liau Yun Qing

At the fiber for next-gen service tech zone, Chinese infrastructure provider Netop shows off its various wireless base stations and antennas.

Photo and caption by Liau Yun Qing

According to Netop's representative, this remote radio unit was purchased by Singapore telco SingTel last year for use in upgrading the city-state's underground connection to 3G. One unit is installed for every kilometer, he added.

Photo and caption by Liau Yun Qing