At Zenlayer, we understand the complexities of deploying digital infrastructure in the Asia-Pacific. During our recent webinar, Navigating Compliance When Deploying Digital Infrastructure, we covered how businesses can overcome regulatory challenges when entering key markets in Asia, particularly China. Led by Han Le, our general counsel, and Craig Kaplan, our SVP of North America and Europe, the webinar highlighted critical compliance challenges your business might face as you consider global expansion, and how Zenlayer’s hyperconnected infrastructure and expertise can help.

Asia’s unique compliance requirements

Expanding into the region involves navigating a maze of regulations, many of which are more stringent than those in the U.S. or Europe. Some of the most significant challenges include:

• Strict Content Monitoring: Several countries here enforce heavy restrictions on the type of content that can be transmitted through their networks. China’s “Great Firewall” is a prime example of how content is filtered and monitored. If not navigated properly, these regulations can lead to service disruptions.
• Legal Presence Requirements: Many jurisdictions require foreign businesses to have a legal entity or a local representative on the ground. This is an important step for companies accustomed to the free-market environment of the West, where such regulations are less common.
• Changing Data Privacy Laws: Data privacy regulations in Asia can vary significantly between countries, and the interpretation of these laws often changes over time. Keeping up with these changes is critical to maintaining compliance and ensuring smooth operations.
• ICP Filing in China: Businesses operating a public-facing website or serving content within China must obtain an ICP Filing and, depending on the type of content served, an Internet Content Provider (ICP) license. This enables the provision of online services and content without risk of being shut down.
  • China, home to a $6+ trillion consumer market, enforces a particularly stringent set of laws governing web content. For a more detailed look at these regulations, check out this overview.

Succeed in Asia with Zenlayer

At Zenlayer, we’ve built a powerful global infrastructure that not only provides the technical capabilities your business needs to succeed in the Asia-Pacific but also the necessary expertise to ensure compliance with local regulations. Our network spans over 300 edge nodes and 10,000+ peering relationships worldwide, helping your business achieve unparalleled connectivity and performance no matter where you operate.

To help you smoothly navigate the compliance landscape in Asia, we offer:

• Expert regulatory support: Our dedicated information security team, based in Shanghai, works closely with local regulators to ensure that your business operations remain compliant. By maintaining regular communication with authorities, we help prevent costly disruptions and service failures.
• Partnerships with China’s top telcos: Zenlayer has strong partnerships with China Telecom, China Unicom, and China Mobile—the country’s top telcos and the only three entities globally licensed to bring traffic in and out of China. This unique advantage helps you gain seamless access to the massive Chinese market.
• Rapid infrastructure deployment: Zenlayer excels in deploying customized infrastructure quickly. In one notable case, we deployed network infrastructure between Shanghai and Hong Kong in less than 30 days, followed by six additional edge nodes across Southeast Asia. Our ability to meet fast deployment timelines while adhering to local compliance requirements sets us apart.

Expert recommendations for your Asia expansion

During the webinar, our General Counsel Han Le emphasized the importance of early planning and choosing the right partners when expanding into the Asia-Pacific. Here’s what we recommend if you’re looking to succeed in the region:

• Work with local experts: Zenlayer’s presence in Asia’s markets gives us a unique advantage in helping companies navigate local regulations. Partnering with a provider that understands the local regulatory environment is key to ensuring compliance.
• Plan for compliance early: Integrating compliance into your overall business strategy from the start will help avoid delays and disruptions later on. We work closely with customers to ensure they are fully compliant before any infrastructure is deployed.

Simplify your expansion with Zenlayer

Expanding into Asia is no small feat, but with the right partner, you can navigate the region’s complex regulatory environment with confidence. Our emerging market expertise, local presence, and partnerships with key players in the region make us the ideal partner to help you accelerate digital infrastructure expansion in Asia. By taking advantage of Zenlayer’s fast, compliant, and reliable solutions, you can focus on growing your business without worrying about regulatory roadblocks.

For more information on how Zenlayer can help your business expand into Asia, talk to an expert today!