New report warns about the growing scams and spectrum costs as 5G prepared to reach 50% of all mobile connections in Asia Pacific by 2030
July 23, 2025, Singapore: Mobile Technologies and Services added US $ 950 billion to the economy of Asia Pacific in 2024, equivalent to 5.6% of regional GDP, according to the Mobile Economy Asia Pacific 2025 Report published today for the GSMA. Presented at the Summit of the Digital Nation of the GSMA Singapore 2025, the report predicts that this contribution will increase to US $ 1.4 trillions by 2030, since the 5G, IoT and artificial intelligence continues to accelerate the digital transformation throughout the region.
Beyond the direct economic impact, the mobile ecosystem supported around 16 million jobs last year (11 million directly and another 5 million in adjacent industries), and generated more than $ 90 billion in public funds, excluding the spectrum and regulatory rates. The operators invested almost $ 220 billion in 5G networks between 2019 and 2024, with another $ 254 billion committed until 2030. However, the study warns that the increase in spectrum costs and investment gaps, particularly in rural and emerging markets, could delay progress unless governments and industry act together to create more conditions for the expansion of the network.
Julian Gorman, Chief of Asia Pacific in the GSMA He commented: “Mobile connectivity is the oxygen of the digital transformation of Asia Pacific: to boost economic growth, innovation and inclusion. However, our findings sound clear alarms: spectrum charges have tripled in the last decade, and 48% of the population is still offline. To sustain the impulse, we need a decade action: the affordable spectrum, the intelligible financing and collective financing and collective to address SCAMS and CYBER-THREATS. ” ”
The report explores the trends that shape the collective digital future of Asia Pacific, including the impulse to monetize 5G, the emergence of an 'scam economy' that diverted more than $ 1 billion of consumers worldwide in 2024, and the wide landscape of cybersecurity threats as 5g and IoT expanded the attack surface. To address these threats, operators are implementing fraud detection systems promoted by AI, adopting zero control architectures and forming intersectoral working groups. One of these initiatives is the Anti-SCAM working group (ACAST) directed by GSMA Pacific Asia Pacific, launched to join mobile operators and digital platforms in 16 countries in a collaborative struggle against scams through the exchange of intelligence, public awareness and technical innovation. GSMA Open Gateway, the global initiative to standardize the Network API, is also playing a growing role in the fight against fraud, allowing developers and companies to integrate the advanced characteristics of identity and security directly in digital services. These efforts are essential to protect users, strengthen trust and safeguard the entire potential of the digital economy.
From a political perspective, Mobile Economy Asia Pacific 2025 Upload that closing the investment gap, implementing sustainable spectrum strategies and promoting friendly regulation with innovation will be crucial to perform digital ambitions in the region. Fiscal incentives, specific public financing and infrastructure exchange can accelerate deployment in unattended areas, while flexible neutral technology regulation will allow new services to flourish without compromising consumer protections. The clear road sheets of the spectrum, especially in the low and medium bands, combined with sustainable price models will be essential for the continuous deployment of 5G and lay the bases for 6g.
Key findings of the mobile economy Asia Pacific 2025
- Economic Impact: $ 950 billion added to regional GDP in 2024; forecast will reach $ 1.4 billion by 2030.
- GDP participation: 5.6% in 2024, projected to increase to 6.6% in 2030.
- Employment: 11 million direct and indirect jobs supported by 2024.
- Public income: More than $ 90 billion generated for governments in 2024 (excluding the spectrum and regulatory rates).
- 5G Adoption: 18% of mobile connections in 5G in 2024, is expected to increase 50% by 2030.
- Investment: The operators committed $ 220 billion in 5G networks of 2019–2024; $ 254 billion planned until 2030.
- Growing costs: Spectrum income cost relationships have increased from 3% in 2014 to 9% in 2023, which limits funds available for greater expansion.
He Mobile Economy Asia Pacific 2025 It is available for download here.
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