Technology

HGC continues to deepen telecommunications infrastructure

Published

2 years ago

October 24, 2024

Enhancing AI-powered ICT services

HONG KONG, Oct. 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — HGC Global Communications (“HGC” or the “Group”), a fully-fledged ICT service provider and network operator with extensive global coverage, announced robust business performance for the fiscal year 2024.

Highlight of Business Performance:

In the consumer market, 71% of HGC’s residential broadband users are currently using fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) of 1,000M or higher, representing a year-on-year increase of six percentage. The number of residential users exceeds 400,000, with over one million customers using HGC services, the Group positions one of the leading companies in Hong KongIn the corporate segment, the revenue from HGC’s one-stop Managed Services grew by 33% in FY2024 compared to FY2019. Gross profit from ICT solutions increased by 306% compared to FY2019. Additionally, the performance in internet services has been robust, with a significant increase of 27% in the number of lines since FY2019.In the small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) sector, the number of SME customers using fiber broadband increased by 28% year-on-year, achieving growth for three consecutive years.In international business, HGC will continue to use Hong Kong as center hub while actively expanding and investing in emerging markets in Asia. In the Philippines, it successfully rolled out over 1,500 kilometers of optic infrastructure and installed more than 6,000 strategic access points, with ongoing expansions. In Asia, HGC has successfully built a Data Center Interconnection (DCI) clusters, connecting mature data center hubs, such as Hong Kong and Singapore, with emerging hubs in the Philippines, Thailand, and Malaysia, currently linking over 55 data centers.HGC has launched an AI-empowered Security Operations Center (SOC) that provides true 24/7 comprehensive digital and cybersecurity services, aimed at delivering cybersecurity services to corporate clients and Secured Broadband services to SMEs.

Andrew Kwok, Chief Executive Officer of HGC Group, said, “Thanks to the collective efforts of all our employees, HGC has achieved steady business performance and growth this year. The Group adopts a sustainable long-term business model and uses Hong Kong as center. We are committed to continuously enhancing telecommunications and ICT infrastructure to improve the digital capabilities of all sectors, further reinforcing Hong Kong’s position as a regional leader. HGC will continue to closely monitor the demands and trends of international markets and strengthen interconnections with overseas regions.”

One-Stop Managed Services and ICT Solutions: Empowering Corporates and SMEs for Comprehensive Digital Transformation

HGC has benefited from the strong demand for ICT solutions in the corporate market, with both corporates and SMEs recording continuous growth, the revenue from one-stop Managed Services has grown by 33% in FY2024 compared to FY2019, facilitating digital transformation for corporate clients. ICT solutions help corporate clients to enhance network security while effectively reducing operational costs, resulting not only in a positive impact on our business performance but also contributes to a 306% increase in the gross profit of our ICT services compared to the FY2019 while bandwidth requirements to meet customer demands have increased by 80%.

Additionally, the Group fully supports SMEs in their digital transformation efforts. The number of SME customers using fiber broadband has increased by 28% year-on-year, achieving growth for three consecutive years. The Secured Broadband service, was launched in April 2023 and has successfully thwarted over 2 million various types of cyberattacks. This service supports thousands of SME clients, with over a hundred new SME customers joining each month, highlighting the importance of its cybersecurity protection.

Expanding Fiber Network Coverage and Mapping: Leading in Residential Broadband Penetration

Home broadband has always been a core focus for the Group, which is dedicated to keeping the public closely connected in the digital age. As of June 2024, HGC has achieved a year-on-year increase of six percentage, with 71% of its residential broadband users currently utilizing fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) connections of 1,000M or higher. The number of residential users exceeds 400,000, and over one million customers are using HGC services, positioning the Group as one of the first among the leaders in Hong Kong’s broadband penetration.

To meet the demand for fiber networks in remote rural areas, the Group is diligently accelerating the deployment of fiber projects in these regions. To date, fiber installation projects have been completed in over 200 villages, benefiting approximately 41,000 rural households. The fiber rollout plan for 60 additional villages is expected to be completed by 2025, further expanding the number of households that will benefit.

Actively Expanding and Investing in Emerging Markets in Asia and the Greater Bay Area: Holistically Enhancing Hong Kong’s Position as an International Telecommunications Hub

Despite the impact of market dynamics and geopolitical factors on Hong Kong, HGC continues to use the city as its telecommunications hub while actively expanding and investing in emerging markets in Asia. The Group strategically focuses its investments in the Southeast Asian market, particularly in the Philippines:

Successfully rolled out over 1,500 kilometers of fiber optic infrastructure, with ongoing expansionsInstalled more than 6,000 strategic access points (manholes), further enhancing our network coverageThe network spans key corporate and residential areas, as well as previously unserved and underserved locations

These initiatives have not only achieved significant results but have also garnered high recognition from regional governments, including the Department of Trade and Industry of the Philippines.

Additionally, HGC has successfully established a data center interconnection (DCI) cluster in Asia. By connecting mature data center hubs, such as those in Hong Kong and Singapore, with emerging hubs in the Philippines, Thailand, and Malaysia, the Group aims to further enhance its regional network and promote the continuous development of innovative technologies. Currently, the Group has connected over 55 data centers and plans to further expand the scale of this infrastructure. At the same time, HGC is actively exploring multiple investment and acquisition opportunities in Malaysia to strengthen regional business and telecommunications infrastructure. We recognize the demand from Chinese companies to expand abroad, and we are ready to serve them with our investment, professional team (with 200+ colleagues in 4 major offices), know-how and expertise.

Mr. Kwok concluded, “While the Group expands into local, SEA, and GBA markets, we will also prioritize leveraging cutting-edge technologies like AI to enhance our cybersecurity products. We have professional talent, well-extablished experience, and an international exposure. Most importantly, we possess the reasonable investment capital to drive our various plans forward and are committed to providing our customers with high-quality, advanced products and services. HGC is well-prepared to implement diversified and innovative strategies and services tailored to different markets. We remain proactive in expanding various collaborations to deliver high-quality and secure services using the latest technologies. The Group’s goal continues to be empowering businesses and individuals in their digital transformation, ensuring they thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.”

About HGC Global Communications Limited

HGC Global Communications Limited (HGC) is a leading Hong Kong and international telecom operator and ICT solution provider. The company owns an extensive network and infrastructure in Hong Kong and overseas and provides various kinds of services. HGC has 21 global offices and staff presence in 33 cities worldwide. It provides telecom infrastructure service to other operators and serves as a service provider to corporate and households. The company provides full-fledged telecom, data centre services, ICT solutions and broadband services for local, overseas, corporate, SME and mass markets. HGC owns and operates an extensive fibre-optic network, five cross-border telecom routes integrated into tier-one telecom operators in mainland China and connects with hundreds of world-class international telecom operators. The company is committed to further investing and enriching its current infrastructure and, in parallel, adding on top the latest technologies and developing its infrastructure services and solutions. In 2019, HGC Group completed the acquisition of Macroview Telecom Limited (Macroview), a leading digital technology solution and managed services provider. The addition of Macroview further accelerates HGC Group’s digital transformation path and positioning as a pioneering ICT and digital services leader. HGC is a portfolio company of I Squared Capital, an independent global infrastructure investment manager focusing on energy, utilities, transport, social infrastructure, digital infrastructure, and environmental infrastructure in North America, Europe, Latin America and Asia.

To learn more, please visit HGC’s website at: www.hgc.com.hk

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Technology

Safetyfirst Systems, LLC Provides Notice of Data Security Event

Published

46 minutes ago

July 24, 2026

PARSIPPANY, N.J., July 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Safetyfirst Systems, LLC (“SFS”) is providing notice of a data security event that may involve information relating to certain individuals. While SFS is not aware of any misuse of information associated with this event, it is providing notice to potentially affected individuals out of an abundance of caution.

On January 19, 2026, SFS identified suspicious activity involving a limited portion of its server environment. Upon discovering the activity, SFS quickly took steps to secure its systems, notified federal law enforcement, engaged leading third-party forensic specialists, and performed a detailed investigation into the nature, scope, and impact of the activity. The investigation determined that an unauthorized actor accessed and/or acquired certain files from limited SFS systems between January 16, 2026, and January 19, 2026. SFS then conducted a comprehensive review of the affected files to determine what information may have been involved and identify the individuals to whom the information relates. The review has recently concluded, and SFS is providing this notification to potentially impacted individuals out of an abundance of caution. Although the types of information vary by individual, the affected information may include names, Social Security numbers, and driver’s license numbers.

Protecting the privacy and security of the information entrusted to SFS is a responsibility the company takes very seriously. In response to this event, SFS promptly strengthened security measures, continues to enhance its technical safeguards and monitoring capabilities, and is reviewing existing policies and procedures to further protect against similar incidents in the future. SFS is also providing notice to potentially affected individuals and, where required, appropriate regulatory authorities.

Although SFS is unaware of any misuse of personal information impacted by this event, individuals are encouraged to remain vigilant against events of identity theft by reviewing account statements, explanation of benefits, and monitoring free credit reports for suspicious activity and to detect errors. Any suspicious activity should be reported to the appropriate insurance company, health care provider, or financial institution.

Individuals seeking additional information regarding this event can contact SFS’s dedicated assistance line at 1-833-289-5523 between the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. Individuals may also write to SFS at PO Box 101, 3299 US Highway 46, Parsippany, NJ 07054-9998.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/safetyfirst-systems-llc-provides-notice-of-data-security-event-302831894.html

SOURCE Safetyfirst Systems, LLC

Technology

Sunrate and Mastercard Release White Paper on Agentic AI and the Future of B2B Global Payments

Published

46 minutes ago

July 24, 2026

SHANGHAI, July 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Sunrate, the global payment and treasury management platform, and Mastercard, a global technology company in the payments industry, unveiled a joint white paper, Beyond Automation: Defining Agentic Global Payments, at the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC).

Among the first reports in the payments industry to examine the impact of Agentic AI on B2B cross-border payments, the white paper provides a comprehensive framework for understanding how AI agents are reshaping enterprise payment operations. It proposes that cross-border payments are evolving beyond digitisation and automation into a new stage: Autonomy—where AI agents with reasoning, planning, and execution capabilities can independently orchestrate and optimise end-to-end payment and treasury workflows within defined governance frameworks.

As businesses expand across borders, B2B cross-border payments continue to be constrained by fragmented workflows, disconnected systems, foreign exchange inefficiencies, rising compliance requirements, and complex reconciliation processes. While traditional automation improves individual tasks, the white paper demonstrates that Agentic AI represents a fundamental shift by enabling intelligent agents to coordinate entire payment journeys across systems, counterparties, and approval workflows.

Drawing on Sunrate’s global payment infrastructure and AI-native product capabilities, together with Mastercard’s expertise in secure payment networks and data intelligence, the white paper defines Agentic Global Payments — a new category of AI-native global payment infrastructure built to automate and manage complex enterprise workflows.

The report identifies 16 major pain points across the B2B payment lifecycle and outlines 13 high-value AI use cases spanning supplier onboarding, accounts payable and receivable, virtual commercial cards, payment routing, foreign exchange management, compliance screening, fraud detection, reconciliation, and conversational operational support. It also demonstrates how AI agents can automate complex workflows—from extracting information across multiple document formats and conducting compliance checks to initiating payments, optimising FX execution, and completing reconciliation—while operating within enterprise governance and control frameworks.

The white paper further highlights that trusted adoption of agentic payments depends on more than technological capability. It identifies governance, transparency, security, and ecosystem collaboration as essential foundations for enterprise deployment, supported by frameworks such as Know Your Agent (KYA), payment tokenisation, auditability, and cross-industry interoperability.

Sunrate.AI portfolio currently includes the Payment Agent, FX Agent, Compliance Agent, Onboarding Agent, and Chat Agent, designed to help enterprises automate and optimise critical payment and treasury processes while maintaining compliance and operational control.

Mastercard has also been actively building the foundations for trusted agentic commerce – combining AI capabilities with verifiable authorisation, clear accountability and proven payments security. Its work in this area, including Agent Pay (alongside Agent Pay for Machines) and Verifiable Intent, are proof points in how Mastercard is enabling AI to participate in commerce safely and transparently.

“Our mission is to make global payments seamless, compliant, and intelligent,” said Paul Meng, Co-founder and CEO of Sunrate. “As businesses continue expanding internationally, AI agents will fundamentally reshape how enterprises manage global payments—enabling smoother capital flows, reducing operational friction, and embedding real-time intelligence into every payment decision. This white paper represents an important step in helping the industry understand how Agentic AI can be deployed responsibly at enterprise scale.”

“Agentic commerce is changing how businesses make and execute payment decisions, but speed without accountability creates new categories of risk,” said Anouska Ladds, Executive Vice President, Commercial & New Payment Flows, Asia Pacific, Mastercard. “As AI starts to act on behalf of businesses, autonomous payment decisions need a clear, auditable chain of identity, intent and action. That’s what allows organisations to delegate with genuine confidence — and what will determine whether agentic commerce scales past pilots.”

Released under WAIC 2026’s theme, “Intelligent Partners, Co-creating the Future,” the white paper provides business leaders with practical guidance on adopting AI-driven payment capabilities, covering implementation approaches, governance considerations, and real-world enterprise applications.

By combining Sunrate’s expertise in global payments and treasury management with Mastercard’s trusted payment infrastructure and network capabilities, the collaboration reflects a shared commitment to accelerating the next generation of intelligent, secure, and autonomous B2B global payments.

Click here to check the white paper.

About Sunrate

Sunrate is a leading global payment and treasury management platform for businesses worldwide. Founded in 2016, Sunrate has enabled companies to operate and scale both locally and globally in 190+ countries and regions with its cutting-edge infrastructure, global network, and unified solutions.

Sunrate operates through offices across key markets, including Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and London. The company partners with the top global financial institutions, such as Citibank, Standard Chartered, Barclays, J.P. Morgan. Sunrate is also the principal member of Mastercard and Visa. To learn more about Sunrate, visit https://www.sunrate.com/.

About Mastercard

Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, we’re building a resilient economy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart and accessible. Our technology and innovation, partnerships and networks combine to deliver a unique set of products and services that help people, businesses and governments realize their greatest potential.

www.mastercard.com

SOURCE Sunrate

Technology

JAMS Launches AI for Enterprise Job Scheduling: JAX and JAMS MCP

Published

46 minutes ago

July 24, 2026

A new AI agent and an open-standard connector let IT teams query, diagnose, and manage automation in plain language, on the model they choose, with operational data able to stay onshore inside their own network

SYDNEY, July 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — JAMS Software, an orchestration solution for scheduled and event-driven automation, today announced the general availability of two AI capabilities for enterprise job scheduling: JAX, an AI agent built into the JAMS Web Client, and JAMS MCP, a connector built on the open Model Context Protocol standard that brings JAMS into external AI coding tools. Both capabilities ship at no additional cost as part of JAMS Web.

Automation environments grow faster than the teams that run them. Jobs multiply across SQL Server, Azure Data Factory, Airflow, SAP, JDE, and Banner, and when one fails, finding the root cause often means searching several consoles at once, frequently outside business hours. At the same time, IT leaders carry pressure to adopt AI while staying accountable for where operational data goes. JAX and JAMS MCP close both gaps together.

Full details on how JAX and JAMS MCP work, including the control model behind every action, are available at jamsscheduler.com/product/ai.

JAX is an AI agent that runs inside the JAMS Web Client. It finds jobs, troubleshoots failures, and answers how-to questions in plain language, with each response grounded in the JAMS user guide and checked against a built-in glossary. JAX acts only when a user asks it to. Reads flow freely, and every write action pauses for the user’s explicit approval before it runs. JAX does not learn between sessions, and conversations are not retained on the server.

JAMS MCP is a connector, built on the open Model Context Protocol standard, that brings JAMS into the AI tools engineering teams already use, including Cursor, VS Code with Copilot, Claude Code, Claude Desktop, and Codex. Users query jobs, investigate failures, and manage runs in plain language without leaving their tool.

Both capabilities run inside the customer’s own network and act as the signed-in user, with that user’s exact JAMS permissions. There is no elevated AI account: whatever a user cannot do in the JAMS interface, JAX and JAMS MCP cannot do on that user’s behalf. Every JAX and MCP operation is recorded in its own dedicated log, and changes made through the JAMS API land in the JAMS audit trail like any other change. Customers choose their own AI model, whether a commercial provider such as OpenAI or Anthropic or a model running entirely on their own hardware, and JAMS never trains on customer data. In the current release, neither feature edits or deletes a job, folder, schedule, or agent definition. For teams that need operational data to stay onshore, JAX runs on a local model entirely inside the customer’s own network, so nothing leaves at all.

“Adopting AI usually means giving something up, most often visibility into where your data goes,” said Pete Hegland, Chief Executive Officer of JAMS Software. “We built JAX and JAMS MCP so that trade does not have to happen. Every action runs as the signed-in user, every change waits for approval, and the model can run on the customer’s own hardware, keeping operational data onshore.”

“For teams across Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore, two things matter: keeping data onshore, and getting answers when a job fails after hours,” said Shayne Cooper, Account Executive for APAC at JAMS Software. “JAX and JAMS MCP address both. The model can run on the customer’s own hardware, and the answer arrives in plain language at the moment it is needed.”

JAX and JAMS MCP are available now to all JAMS Web customers across Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore, with no separate licence, SKU, or additional cost. AI-assisted creation of new jobs and workflows from a plain-language description is on the roadmap for a future release, gated by the same approvals and permissions as every other action.

Learn how JAX and JAMS MCP work at https://jamsscheduler.com/product/ai.

Fast facts

JAX is an AI agent built into the JAMS Web Client for job scheduling and workflow automation.JAMS MCP is a connector built on the open Model Context Protocol standard, for Cursor, VS Code with Copilot, Claude Code, Claude Desktop, and Codex.Both act as the signed-in user, with that user’s exact JAMS permissions, and there is no elevated AI account.Customers choose the AI model, including a local model that runs entirely inside their own network.JAMS never trains on customer data.Both are available now at no additional cost as part of JAMS Web.

About JAMS Software
Founded in 1987, JAMS Software is an orchestration solution that helps IT teams centralize, automate, and manage scheduled and event-driven jobs across complex, hybrid environments. Over 850 customers rely on JAMS to run their automated workloads. JAMS Software, LLC is headquartered at 108 Patriot Drive, Suite A, Middletown, DE 19709.

Media Contact
Bobby Schmidt, Vice President of Marketing
press@jamssoftware.com
800.261.4267

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SOURCE JAMS Software