JAKARTA The technology and cellular sectors contributed considerable revenue to the Asian Pacific economy by 2024. This contribution is expected to increase.
This finding was recorded in the Mobile Economy Asia Pacific 2025 report published by GSMA on Monday, July 28. GSMA stated that the sector contributed US$950 billion (Rp15.5 quadrillion), equivalent to 5.6 percent of regional GDP.
Technological and cellular services are expected to increase until 2030 with an amount of revenue reaching 1.4 trillion US dollars or around Rp. 22.9 quadrillion. This is driven by the progress of 5G, Internet of Things (IoT), and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
So far, cellular operators are still investing in 5G networks. They have invested up to $220 billion (Rp3.6 quadrillion) in 2019 to 2024 and provided additional investment of US$254 billion (Rp4.1 quadrillion) until 2030.
Although it appears that the technology and mobile sectors are experiencing an increase, the report warns of the challenge of expanding the network. If spectral and investment costs are in disparity, the progress of this sector could be hampered in Asia Pacific.
"The spectral cost has tripled in the past decade and 48 percent of the population is still not connected to the internet," said Julian Gorman, Head of Asia Pacific GSMA, in a statement.
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Julian added that all countries need to 'maintain momentum' by taking firm action. Government and industry are said to need to work together in creating affordable spectra, smarter financing, and appropriate action to address cyber threats that threaten customers.
GSMA emphasizes that cyber threats continue to rise amid widespread adoption of 5G and IoT devices. To deal with this threat, the operator implements an AI-based fraud detection system, adopts a zero-trust architecture, and forms a cross-sector task force.
GSMA has also made an important initiative called the Asia Pacific Cross-Sector Anti-Scam Taskforce (ACAST). This initiative was launched to unite cellular operators and digital platforms from 16 countries battling fraud.
If various challenges, including cyber threats, are overcome, 5G adoption is expected to reach 50 percent in Asia Pacific by 2030, up 18 percent from last year. This expansion is important as the basis for the development of 6G cellular connections.
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