"In effect, they have become used to using local and national suppliers, who also enjoy more regulatory protection in their markets," he commented, "But above all, with the exception of Japan and Australia, the region has not grown as many global multinational corporations (MNCs) as America and Europe. However, that is changing, and there will be significant new demand out of the region for global telecoms service providers to target."

Meanwhile, a lack of network infrastructure and service support in the region has also left global service providers with work to do. Molony commented: "Global service providers have made their own investments in infrastructure, and data and service centres, but capacity in these gets used up fast."

However, Molony does believe that the global service providers that can find a way to overcome these challenges will find demand for their offerings. He added: "Asia-Pacific MNCs will continue to be a challenge for global service providers. These emerging MNCs have limited experience of what global service providers can offer them in terms of contracts, account management and new products and services.

"However, these companies are also in a hurry to grow their global business operations and reach new markets in developed territories. They will need fast-developing network and service support, which global service providers can offer them. Global service providers have solutions and skills in cloud-based network provisioning and management, which MNCs are particularly interested in."