Mobile technologies and services contributed $950 billion to Asia Pacific’s economy in 2024, making up 5.6% of regional GDP. This is according to the Mobile Economy Asia Pacific 2025 report released by the GSMA at the Digital National Summit Singapore. This figure is projected to grow to $14 trillion by 2030, as 5G, IoT and AI continue to accelerate digital transformation.
Furthermore, the mobile ecosystem supported around 16 million jobs and generaed over $90 billion in public revenue (excluding spectrum and regulatory fees). Between 2019 and 2024, operators invested $220 billion in 5G networks, with another $254 planned through 2030.
The report warns that rising spectrum costs and investment gaps could hinder progress without collaborative action.
“Mobile connectivity is the oxygen of Asia Pacific’s digital transformation – driving economic growth, innovation and inclusion,” said Julian Gorman, Head of Asia Pacific, GSMA. “Yet our findings sound clear alarms: spectrum charges have tripled over the last decade, and 48% of the population remain offline. To sustain momentum, we need decisive action – affordable spectrum, smarter financing and collective action to tackle scams and cyber-threats.”
The report also explores growing cybersecurity challenges, with scams siphoning over $1 trillion globally in 2024. Operators are adopting AI-based fraud detection, zero trust architecture, and taskforces.
One significant initiative is ACAST – the GSMA-led Asia Pacific Cross-Sector Anti-Scam Taskforce, which unites operators and platforms across 16 countries. GSMA Open Gateway is also enabling better fraud protection via built-in identity and security features APIs.
Other key findings include:
- Public revenues: over $90 billion generated for governments in 2024 (excluding spectrum and regulatory fees)
- 5G adoption: 18% of mobile connections on 5G in 2024, expected to rise to 50% by 2030
- Investment: operators committed $220 billion on 5G networks from 2019–2024; $254 billion planned through 2030
- Rising costs: spectrum cost-to-revenue ratios have increased from 3% in 2014 to 9% in 2023, limiting funds available for further expansion
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