The Institute for Infocomm Research (I²R) and Exploit Technologies Pte Ltd (ETPL), both units of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), have entered into a research and development (R&D) agreement with Huawei to co-develop new areas of infocomm technologies in Singapore.

A signing ceremony was held on 6 January 2011 to formalise the R&D collaboration. Under the agreement, I²R and ETPL will work with Huawei on a number of technology-focused R&D activities that promise to have strategic, tactical or commercial potential for global markets and the infocomm industry in Singapore in the near future.

Dr. Li Ying Tao, President of Central R&D Unit, Huawei, said, “In order to meet the needs of our customers, we focus on a strategy of continuous customer-centric innovation. The goal of Huawei’s R&D is to deliver timely solutions for anticipated and actual customer needs by developing innovations in technologies, products, solutions and services.

With this collaboration, we look forward to continuously working with I2R and ETPL to develop innovative products, services, and technologies that help our customers to support the growth of new services and promote sustainable development of the infocomm industry.”

Prof Lye Kin Mun, Executive Director from I²R commented, "We are fully committed to work hand-in-hand with our industry partners to develop innovative solutions to enhance their competitiveness in global markets. Hence, we are extremely delighted to enter into this strategic partnership with Huawei to collaborate in R&D of leading edge infocomm technologies. This is an important R&D collaboration between Huawei and A*STAR, marking another significant milestone in public-private partnership. We are confident that this will be the beginning of many fruitful joint projects in the future.”

Philip Lim, CEO of Exploit Technologies said, “Exploit Technologies is pleased to have Huawei as a member of our innovative and forward-looking family of licensees. We see this as a strategic relationship to complement Huawei’s research and development capabilities with A*STAR’s pool of industry-relevant intellectual property.”