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Viettel Fast-Tracks 6G Roadmap, Targets Commercial Launch by 2029

BARCELONA, Spain, March 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — At MWC Barcelona 2026, Viettel announced it is accelerating the R&D and commercialization of its proprietary 6G technology. The Vietnamese telecommunications giant has joined a global strategic alliance initiated by Qualcomm Technologies to expedite the development and global deployment of 6G, with a commercial rollout slated for 2029.

Viettel’s 6G roadmap includes architecture R&D, pre-commercial trials in 2028, and contributing to industry standards to ensure a 2029 commercial debut.
Viettel’s 6G roadmap includes architecture R&D, pre-commercial trials in 2028, and contributing to industry standards to ensure a 2029 commercial debut.

According to the roadmap, Viettel is designing 6G as an AI-native system, deeply integrating artificial intelligence across devices, networks, and cloud computing infrastructure. The technology is built on three strategic pillars: next-generation connectivity, wide-area sensing, and high-performance computing.

Viettel’s 6G strategy involves active research into network architecture, with plans to conduct early testing of pre-commercial systems and devices by 2028. Beyond connectivity services, Viettel defines “6G commercialization” as a comprehensive business model encompassing homegrown network equipment, software platforms, and an AI-integrated smart device ecosystem.

Lieutenant General Tao Duc Thang, Chairman & CEO of Viettel, stated: “Joining this global alliance underscores Viettel’s commitment to mastering core technologies from the ground up. We aim to collaborate with international partners to drive innovation while integrating Vietnamese-developed technology into the global value chain.”

In a significant move toward hardware autonomy, Viettel also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. to establish a strategic partnership for AI-integrated smart mobile devices. Under this agreement, the two parties will co-develop a flagship smartphone line. Qualcomm will provide reference designs and technical support, while Viettel will lead the development, manufacturing, and commercialization of products featuring its Agentic AI software ecosystem.

The synergy between Qualcomm’s premium hardware and Viettel’s Agentic AI platform is expected to define a new generation of smart devices, serving as critical endpoints in the current 5G landscape and paving the way for the 6G era.

Viettel is currently a pioneer in the large-scale deployment of 5G and Open RAN technology. With this latest announcement at MWC Barcelona 2026, the company continues to solidify its role in shaping the global 6G technical platform through architecture research, core technology testing, and international standardization efforts.

Cebu Pacific Celebrates 30 Years with Month-Long Anniversary Deals

MANILA, Philippines, March 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Cebu Pacific (CEB), the Philippines’ leading carrier, is celebrating 30 years of making air travel accessible with month-long anniversary deals, kicking off with one of its biggest international seat sales of the year at Your Happy Lowest Fares.

From March 5 – 11, guests from Hong Kong can book flights to the Philippines for as low as HKD 1 one-way base fare, exclusive of fees and surcharges. 

The travel period runs from November 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027, allowing travelers to plan their vacations ahead of time and score the best deals.

CEB operates flights from Hong Kong to its major hubs—Manila, Clark, Cebu, Iloilo, and Davao—giving travelers the most gateways to find their happy in the Philippines.

Once in the Philippines, travelers can connect via any CEB hub to Boracay, famous for its powdery white sand beaches, sunset views, and exciting water adventures.

Guests can also visit Bacolod — known as the “City of Smiles” — to savor its signature chicken inasal, explore local markets, or discover nearby heritage sites.

With the airline’s widest domestic network, passengers can easily start their happy travels in Manila or conveniently connect through the airline’s other major hubs such as Clark, Cebu, Iloilo, and Davao, for faster inter-island access within the country.    

Travelers are encouraged to stay tuned for more offers and exclusive deals from CEB this March as the airline celebrates its 30th Anniversary.

CEB operates in 35 domestic and 26 international destinations spread across Asia, Australia, and the Middle East.  

CEB offers various payment options, including credit or debit cards and e-wallets, to book flights and buy add-ons.

Visit www.cebupacificair.com or book directly via the Cebu Pacific app to secure your seats now.

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GAC Achieves Global First with DAkkS-Accredited ASIL D Functional Safety and Cybersecurity Certification for Quark E-Drive

GUANGZHOU, China, March 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Recently, GAC’s independently developed Quark E-Drive power domain control system has achieved the world’s first dual certification for deeply integrated ASIL D functional safety and information security, accredited by DAkkS, Germany’s national accreditation body. The certification was evaluated and issued by SGS-CSTC Standards Technical Services Co., Ltd. (SGS), a globally recognized certification authority.

ISO 26262 is the internationally recognized core standard for automotive functional safety. Within this framework, ASIL D represents the highest automotive safety integrity level, requiring near-zero tolerance for safety-critical failures. Achieving an ASIL D certification accredited by DAkkS signifies that the certified product meets the highest globally accepted standards for automotive safety.

The certified Quark E-Drive power domain control system has been in production use since February 2025, and is now deployed across multiple models under GAC’s brands- HYPTEC and AION. As the industry’s first electric drive power domain system based on deep integration using a single main control chip, the solution significantly reduces chip count, minimizes risks associated with chip-level failures, and boosts motor controller efficiency to as high as 99.9%. The certification confirms that GAC has completed the system’s full product development lifecycle in strict compliance with ISO 26262:2018 functional safety and ISO/SAE 21434:2021 information security standards.

Throughout the project, GAC Technology Research Center worked closely with SGS experts, strengthening safety design across all development phases while ensuring engineering feasibility and an optimal user experience.

Zhao Hui, Vice President of SGS China, commented: “The successful certification highlights GAC’s strong team and robust development systems. We are pleased to support the safety of the Quark E-Drive and look forward to closer collaboration.”

This milestone represents a major breakthrough for GAC in e-drive safety and sets a new global benchmark for the intelligent electric vehicle industry.

 

From the Self-Tan Experts: Coco & Eve Launches Sunny Honey Protect, a Glow-First SPF Collection

High-protection SPF that enhances the look of skin.

NEW YORK, March 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — For years, Coco & Eve has been synonymous with glowing, bronzed skin – becoming a go-to for self-tan obsessives and glow-seekers around the world. Now, the brand is bringing that same expertise to sun protection with the launch of Sunny Honey Protect, a next-generation SPF collection designed to protect skin without compromising glow.


As specialists in self-tan and bronzed skin, Coco & Eve identified a gap in the SPF category. While awareness around sun protection continues to grow, many consumers still struggle to find formulas that feel lightweight on the body, look flattering on the skin and layer seamlessly with tanning. Heavy textures and dull finishes remain common barriers to daily SPF use.

Sunny Honey Protect was created to change that.

SPF, Reimagined Through a Tanning Lens

Rather than treating SPF as a standalone category, Coco & Eve approached sun protection the way it approaches tanning – with a deep understanding of how skin looks and behaves in the sun. The result is an SPF collection that prioritises hydration, sensorial textures and glow-enhancing finishes, while delivering high-level broad-spectrum protection.

“Our customers care deeply about glowing skin – but they want to be protected too,” says Alexandra King, Global Brand Director at Coco & Eve. “Sunny Honey Protect is the result of listening closely to our community and applying everything we know about bronzed skin to SPF. We didn’t want protection that sat on top of skin or dulled it – we wanted SPF that worked with glow, not against it.”

Introducing the Sunny Honey Protect SPF Wardrobe

Designed as an SPF wardrobe, Sunny Honey Protect offers three distinct finishes to suit different skin moods, moments and routines – blending skin-loving tropical botanicals with a juicy mango fragrance that smells as good as it feels, done in Coco & Eve’s signature sensorial style.

  • Sunny Honey Protect Coconut Milk Body SPF 50
    A lightweight, water-based body milk delivering broad spectrum SPF 50 protection with a naturally dewy finish. Hydrating yet weightless, it’s designed for everyday wear – whether skin is bare or paired with self-tan.
  • Sunny Honey Protect Highlighter Body SPF 50
    A serum-like body SPF infused with pearlescent minerals to highlight skin with a radiant, light-catching shimmer. Fast-absorbing and non-greasy, it delivers high-level sun protection while elevating glow.
  • Sunny Honey Protect Tan Boosting Anti-Aging Body Oil SPF (UK 30 / 50 | US 20 / 45)
    A luxurious, water-resistant SPF body oil infused with nourishing tropical extracts that protects skin while enhancing the look of natural tans, available in two SPF levels to suit different sun needs.

Sunny Honey Protect launches 3 March 2026 on cocoandeve.com and select retailers nationwide, including Ulta Beauty.

About Coco & Eve

Coco & Eve’s story begins in Bali, where volcanic beaches meet lush rainforests. With products rooted in the island’s vibrant, renewing energy, the brand formulates with Balinese botanicals to create a sense of joy and effortless beauty.

Japan Supports Water Supply Improvements in Phongsaly Province

Japan provides USD 17,400 grant to build water supply facility in Phongsaly, improving access to safe water for residents in Meuteun village. (Photo supplied)

Japan has provided grant assistance of USD 17,400 to support a new water supply project in Phongsaly Province, aimed at improving access to safe and hygienic water for local residents.

The funding, provided under Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP), will support the construction of a water supply facility in Meuteun village, helping improve sanitation and living conditions for the community.

Japanese Ambassador to Laos, Koizumi Tsutomu, signed the grant agreement with a representative of the provincial authority in the presence of Santi Keoyasan, Chairman of the Phongsaly Provincial Administrative Committee.

“In Laos, access to safe and hygienic water has improved in recent years, and it is said that around 90 percent of the population now has access to safe and hygienic water,” Ambassador Koizumi said.

“On the other hand, there is still room for improvement in remote areas such as Meuteun village. I hope that the construction of the water supply facilities will be completed quickly and that the living environment in Meuteun village will be greatly enhanced by expanded access to safe, hygienic water along with improved sanitation.”

The GGP program supports small-scale projects that directly benefit local communities by strengthening social and economic development in developing countries, including Laos.

Japan has provided more than USD 860,000 in assistance to Phongsaly Province to support the health and education sectors. Officials said Japan will continue supporting initiatives that improve basic living conditions and address regional development gaps across Laos.

GAC’s AION V, M8 PHEV, and EMZOOM Launched Setting a New Benchmark for Better Mobile Life in New Zealand.

GUANGZHOU, China, March 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — On January 15th, in Auckland, New Zealand, the grand launch ceremony of GAC New Zealand was officially held. With the core theme “Move Freely. Live Fully”, this launch deeply aligns with New Zealand’s lifestyle of being close to nature and valuing family, defining the core value of vehicles as an integral part of life. At the event, three vehicles – AION V, M8 PHEV, and EMZOOM – made their simultaneous debut, bringing people-oriented mobility experiences to the local market and setting a new benchmark for a better mobile lifestyle.

In New Zealand, cars serve as a key bridge connecting nature and family, and as companions for exploring freedom and enjoying life. The three vehicles unveiled at the event are the concrete expression of this concept.

The versatile luxury MPV M8 PHEV, with its luxurious and comfortable space, designed for both family travel and business use, becoming a mobile extension of quality life; the spacious intelligent SUV AION V, with its eco-friendly powertrain and leading intelligent technology, meets New Zealand’s pursuit of sustainable travel; the stylish intelligent SUV EMZOOM caters to young drivers’ desire to explore the outdoors and connect with nature, with its stylish design and nimble handling.

Each of the three vehicles emphasizes different strengths, but they jointly convey the core value of “people-oriented” – delivering simpler, more comfortable, and more reliable travel.

All along, GAC’s global journey has adhered to the philosophy of long-term vision and win-win cooperation. This launch in New Zealand is not only an expansion of the brand, but also an opportunity for cultural dialogue and shared values.

Co-Driving Systematic Growth in Thailand, Shaping the Asia-Pacific Future | 2026 GAC Thailand Dealer Conference Convenes in Bangkok

GUANGZHOU, China, March 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — On January 26th, the GAC Thailand Dealer Conference was grandly held in Bangkok. Wang Shunsheng, Vice President of GAC INTERNATIONAL and President of the Asia-Pacific Regional Center, Wang Haoyong, General Manager of GAC INTERNATIONAL Thailand Sales Company, Liu Qingxin, Deputy General Manager of GAC INTERNATIONAL Thailand Sales Company, the GAC Thailand team, and dealer investors from across Thailand gathered together to review the key achievements of 2025, clarify the development direction of the Asia-Pacific and Thailand markets in the next phase around the “ONE GAC 2.0” strategic framework, and jointly embark on a new stage of growth driven by systematic capabilities.

In the conference, Wang Shunsheng stated that since the launch of the “ONE GAC 2.0” global strategy, the Asia-Pacific region has become one of the core regions for the development of new energy vehicles. Currently, GAC’s Asia-Pacific business covers 19 countries and regions, with more than 200 sales and service outlets; among them, the Thailand market has delivered outstanding performance, steadily ranking among the top three in the new energy market. He emphasized that Thailand is not only an important sales market for GAC in the Asia-Pacific, but also a benchmark market with exemplary significance.

Looking forward to the next phase of development, Wang Shunsheng proposed the 2026 action plan focusing on the “five major system upgrades” of products, channels, intelligent manufacturing, energy ecology, and talent teams.

Following the “ONE GAC 2.0” global strategy, Wang Haoyong, General Manager of GAC INTERNATIONAL Thailand Sales Company, elaborated on GAC Thailand’s future layout of systematic competitiveness. Faced with the industry entering the era of “system competition” and the trend of competition shifting to comprehensive contests, he stated that GAC Thailand has formulated a clear operational path, focusing resources on building long-term and sustainable systematic capabilities. By succeeding across three critical dimensions — system capability, long-term resilience, and trust-building — GAC will further consolidate its leading position in Thailand’s new energy vehicle market.

Looking ahead, GAC will continue to increase long-term investment in key areas, making resources and decisions closer to the market frontline and more responsive to partners’ needs; at the same time, centering on diverse travel scenarios, co-build an open and win-win business ecosystem, enhance system resilience and growth momentum, and work hand in hand with Thai partners towards a more dynamic and sustainable future.

 

AION V garners global honors, underscoring China’s rising strength in smart EV innovation.

GUANGZHOU, China, March 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — In 2025, GAC AION V is garnering remarkable international acclaim across global markets, securing a series of prestigious awards and top safety ratings that underscore its competitive prowess as a premium electric SUV.

Its excellence is crowned by top-tier safety, having secured the highest double five-star safety ratings from both Euro NCAP and ANCAP (Australasian New Car Assessment Program). Excelling in adult occupant protection, child safety, pedestrian protection, and safety assist systems, these accolades certify its world-class safety credentials.

Beyond safety, the AION V is winning over international markets and experts. In Australia, it has been selected as a finalist for the Drive Car of the Year 2026 – Best Electric Vehicle Under $60,000 award. Its success in Southeast Asia is particularly notable, where it has secured multiple honors: the “CAT A Electric SUV of the Year 2025” and the “Ready For Adventure” award in Singapore, alongside the “Eco-Friendly & Advanced-Technology SUV Icon” and the “Most Popular Electric Vehicle” awards in Indonesia. These awards demonstrate its successful adaptation to diverse consumer preferences and driving needs.

In its home market of China, the AION V has received significant endorsements based on massive user data analysis, earning the title of “Most Promising Model of 2024.” Its intelligent capabilities are highly regarded by industry experts, as evidenced by awards like the “2025 Golden Wheel Intelligent Pioneer Award” and “Hardcore Intelligent SUV of the Year (2025).”

This collection of global accolades reflects the AION V’s comprehensive strengths. Its distinctive design, reliable real-world range supported by efficient charging, versatile and comfortable interior space, and advanced intelligent driving technology combine to deliver the compelling experience that resonates with a worldwide audience. These achievements highlight GAC Group’s formidable capabilities in automotive innovation and its commitment to delivering world-class vehicles for the global market.