“The Covid-19 outbreak pushed digitization forward for 8 to 10 years.” said by Mok Wai-hin Peter, head of Strategic Partnership at Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation.

Digitalization is already underway in almost every organization. The business model has shifted from intensive manpower to light manpower with technology and innovation equipments.

“Before the crisis, it have to take a year to implement the level of remote working but now it took an average of 11 days to implement a workable solution”

Some companies acted 20 to 25 times faster than expected. In the case of remote working, people actually say their companies moved 40 times more quickly than they thought possible before the pandemic. Before then, respondents say it would have taken more than a year to implement the level of remote working that took place during the crisis but it took an average of 11 days to implement a workable solution, and nearly all of the companies have stood up workable solutions within a few months. 

According to statista.com, all Information technology (IT) spending are forecast to return to growth in 2021. Enterprise software (e.g. ERP, CRM) is expected to have the strongest rebound (8.8% growth) as the remote work environments are expanding. 

Company strategies are changed. For example, a Japanese company, Fujitsu Ltd. said it would split its office space over the next 3 years to encourage around 80,000 employees of electronics maker to work remotely.

IDC Spending Guide 2018 estimated that spending on technologies and services that enable digital transformation will reach almost US$2 trillion in 2022 worldwide. Brands and companies have started to get a better understanding when it comes to the benefits of digital transformation and digitally native offerings.

Information technology development requires long-term investment. MAY Planning has strong experience on integration of digital technology into all areas of a business, fundamentally change how your business operate. We will be pleased to provide consulting service for your company in Hong Kong or overseas, please feel free to contact us anytime. 

_{Published: 26 Jan 2021}

5G is the 5th generation mobile network. It is a new global wireless standard. 5G wireless technology is meant to deliver faster speeds, ultra low latency, more reliability, greater load capacity, increased availability, and a more uniform user experience to more users. Some researchers believe that 5G could deliver 10 – 20 times faster than 4G.

Sending a message at 6pm in Central station will no longer be a problem

In 2019, the Government planned to make available a total of 160 MHz spectrum in the 600/700MHz bands to enhance indoor hotspots and the network capacity of indoor mobile telecommunications services which would help relieve congested traffic indoor mobile hotspots, such as MTR stations. The earliest release date (available for release to the market through auction, tendering or other appropriate) will be in 2021. The decisions will be made in the first quarter of 2021. 

The 85 MHz of spectrum in the 700 MHz and the 850 MHz bands can be deployed in both indoor and outdoor locations for the provision of public mobile services; while the 70 MHz of spectrum in the 600 MHz band is designated for indoor use to enhance the mobile services provided at indoor hotspots, such as shopping malls and confined areas like premises inside the Mass Transit Railway.

5G will change the world

–For business (For example, an enterprise tool)
5G helps to upgrade on the existing system. With 5G, over 1 million devices can operate within the same area which is a 250 times growth in capacity. 5G is nearly 8 times faster in speed and boasts of more than 5 times the bandwidth. 5G is a critical enterprise tool to accelerate digital transformation, particularly in their supply chain management initiatives.

–For our life (For example, autonomous cars will be on our roads)
5G network will offer new application options advancing the development of autonomous cars. Drivers running red lights will become a thing of the past. Traffic jams will be reduced or eliminated as self-driving cars can drive in closer proximity to each other. Also, autonomous cars don’t slow down to rubberneck. Tesla founder Elon Musk says Tesla will release its ‘full self-driving’ feature as a subscription in early 202. Apple’s plans to develop an electric and driverless car featuring its own battery technology are reportedly back on the table, with a new target production date estimated for 2024.

Lots benefits of 5G for our life or for our business that I couldn’t mention in one time.5G allows organization hiring process will not limited to the candidates location. Some organizations are going to have a remote team in their company by hiring top talent outside of their local area. Businesses will rely on mobile networks more and more. They will need to work with IT specialists to redesign and improve their internal work efficiency. 

MAY Planning provides professional IT consulting services to meet your expectations. We will be pleased to provide guidance for your company in Hong Kong or overseas, feel free to contact us anytime. 

_{Published: 14 Jan 2021}

We received few enquiries about the Hong Kong visa is going to expire and how can they do if they are not in Hong Kong currently. Here is the update from Hong Kong Immigration Department:

“The Immigration Department accepts applications for return to Hong Kong from non-permanent residents who is outside of Hong Kong under the COVID-19 Pandemic (Not Applicable to Foreign Domestic Helpers and Imported Workers) In general, persons admitted into Hong Kong under various immigration policies/schemes may apply for extension of stay within four weeks before their limit of stay expires. Applicants should be physically present in Hong Kong both at the time of applications and collection of the relevant labels (for approved applications).

Some persons outside Hong Kong with their limit of stay about to expire / expired and, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, may not be able to return to Hong Kong timely (Note 1) to apply for extension of stay. For those whose limit of stay is about to expire (within four weeks) / has expired for less than 12 months, they may submit a duly completed application form (Note 2) together with the required supporting documents required for application for extension of stay under the relevant immigration policy/scheme concerned in general situations, and a letter setting out the details on their inability to return to Hong Kong timely for the extension of stay formalities. If the applicants continue to meet the eligibility criteria under the relevant immigration policy/scheme concerned and it is satisfied that the applicants’ circumstances are a continuation of their previous residence in Hong Kong, the Immigration Department may consider issuing the applicants with a visa/entry permit for their return to Hong Kong within the validity of that visa/entry permit. For more details, please email to: enquiry@immd.gov.hk.

Note 1:
The webpage link for prevailing restrictions on entering Hong Kong is as follows:
https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/inbound-travel.html

Note 2:
Capital Investment Entrant Scheme entrants should complete application form ID 967 . Other applicants should complete the application form ID 91 (even if they are outside Hong Kong and apply for a visa/entry permit to return to Hong Kong under this arrangement).”

Highlights
1. Applicants should be physically present in Hong Kong both at the time of applications and collection of the relevant labels
2. For those whose limit of stay has expired for less than 12 months

Our tips
Getting a flight ticket might get harder than before. Plus, since December 25, all oversea arrivals into HK have to quarantine in designated hotel for 21 days which is up from 14 days. You need to pay for almost ten thousand for you quarantine cost before you physically present at The Immigration Department for extend your Visa. If your Visa is about to expire, you could wait and see what happens next to save your high cost of quarantines. Keep checking updates from government website or subscribe us to get the latest updates. 

_{Reference:
The Immigration Department Accepts Applications for Return to Hong Kong from Non-Permanent Residents Outside Hong Kong under the COVID-19 Pandemic (Not Applicable to Foreign Domestic Helpers and Imported Workers), The Immigration Department, 31 Dec 2020}

Happy New Year to all our partners, readers, and friends. The team of the MAY Planning Co., Ltd wishes you a great 2020 full of innovation, passion, and satisfaction. We thank you for your continued support and faithfulness to us and promise to deliver even more thought-provoking and fascinating service.

Wishing you a Happy New Year with the hope that you will have many blessings in the year to come.