OCTOBERASIA BUSINESS OUTLOOK9Singapore's mobile networks are showing significant differences in how quickly 5G voice calls connect, according to testing by Ookla.The findings suggest that simply moving voice services to newer 5G technology does not automatically result in faster or more consistent calling experiences.Singtel delivered the strongest results among Singapore's operators, while StarHub and M1 recorded more varied performance.The results are based on controlled testing conducted during the second half of 2025 and highlight the importance of network maturity, coverage and optimisation in determining the performance of Voice over New Radio (VoNR). The Detroit Three automakers are expected to lose U.S. market share in the third quarter as higher gasoline prices push more buyers toward hybrids and fuel-efficient vehicles, giving Asian rivals greater room to expand.General Motors, Ford Motor and Stellantis are projected to account for about 36% of U.S. new-vehicle sales during the quarter, according to industry research firm Cox Automotive. Meanwhile, hybrid-focused Asian brands, including Toyota and Honda, are expected to capture more than half of new vehicle sales during the period.The shift comes as gasoline prices have climbed sharply. The national average reached $4.43 a gallon in September, according to AAA, up from $3.20 a year earlier. The increase has made fuel economy a more important consideration for consumers weighing their next vehicle purchase. Singapore-based enterprise AI startup OneByZero has raised $20 million in a Series A funding round led by Jungle Ventures, marking its first external funding round.The investment comes as companies across Asia increasingly move beyond AI experimentation and look to integrate artificial intelligence directly into their core business operations.The funding will support OneByZero's expansion across its existing markets, including Australia, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, the US, and Vietnam.The company also plans to establish a team in Japan while expanding into new sectors such as healthcare and the public sector. Southeast Asia's AI infrastructure is gaining strategic importance as Tencent reportedly turns to Oracle's regional data centers to secure advanced computing capacity.According to credible sources, Tencent has agreed to a five-year lease giving it access to around 100,000 advanced AI chips across multiple Oracle data centers in Southeast Asia. The reported deal is valued at about USD 7 billion, with roughly 30 percent payable upfront.Beyond the transaction, the arrangement highlights how Southeast Asia's growing data-center infrastructure could become an important offshore computing layer for major Asian technology companies. OOKLA FINDS WIDE VARIANCE IN SINGAPORE 5G CALL SETUP TIMESJUNGLE VENTURES LEADS SINGAPORE AI STARTUP ONEBYZERO'S $20M SERIES ADETROIT THREE FACE U.S. MARKET SHARE LOSS AS ASIAN RIVALS GAINTENCENT'S USD 7B AI LEASE PUTS SOUTHEAST ASIA IN FOCUS
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