GSMA launch 'Digital Nations 2025: Achieve the strategic connectivity plan of the ASEAN' in Digital Nation Summit Kuala Lumpur; The study establishes a three -step agenda to the infrastructure gap of the Bridge region
September 23, 2025, Kuala Lumpur: He The markets of the ASEAN are at a digital crossroads, with ready -to -make -shaped mobile technologies to shape the next growth wave of the region. A new GSMA report calls governments and industry to close critical policies, infrastructure and skills gaps to comply with the digital ambitions of ASEAN and the strategic plan of connectivity of ASEAN.Digital Nations 2025: Achieve the strategic connectivity plan of the ASEANAsk governments and industry to close critical policy, infrastructure and skills gaps to meet the digital ambitions of ASEAN and the strategic Plan for connectivity of ASEAN.
Released today at the Summit of the Digital Nation GSMA Kuala Lumpur (ASEAN EDITION), the study establishes three priorities to accelerate progress: boost investment in 5G infrastructure, cloud fiber and cloud; harmonize data, trade and cyber security frameworks to allow cross -border services without problems; and strengthen regional and international cooperation to share experience and develop capacity.
Tracking the transformation of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) from 2000 the report, based on the GSMA Intelligence Nations Index, highlights the economic increase in the USD block 737 billion to more than USD 4 billion in 2024, growth that could be multiplied through digital innovation.
At the same time, GSMA also announced its new flagship for the region, M360 ASEAN, which will take place next year from September 9 to 10, 2026 at the Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur, under the theme 'Alignment, power and progress policy'.
Julian Gorman, Chief of Asia Pacific, GSMAsaying: “ASEAN has already delivered an expansion of five times in the economic production of this century, however, our research of digital nations shows that progress is unequal. Singapore leads him 2025 Asean Digital Preparation index, With scores throughout the region that shows a wide range of preparation levels. ASEAN has advanced in digital adoption, but the gaps in preparation, regulation and skills stay. Member States must strengthen digital ecosystems addressing these challenges.
The Kuala Lumpur edition of the Summit of the Digital Nation (DNS), backed by MCMC, brings together the political leaders, industry leaders and regional institutions to directly address these gaps. The sessions focus on investment, skills and innovation priorities, with results designed to report broader policy conversations, including those that will advance in M360 ASEAN 2026.
He The financial director of GSMA, Louise EasterbrookHe said in today's opening opening:“The digital economy of ASEAN is an unlimited explosive and potential growth story. But for keep This competitive advantage of the region must refine and accelerate its coordinated approach for economic policy and infrastructure investment. The options we take today about affordability, skills and trust are vital if we want to digitally transform the daily life of the 680 million people in the region. We need governments to be architects, the mobile industry to be engineers and innovatives, and all of us, as a community, work together at all levels, to build this future. “
The report emphasizes that converting the economy of four billion dollars today in the time of digital work of tomorrow demands a concerted action on three fronts. First, the region must channel a much higher investment in 5G infrastructure, cloud fiber. Secondly, it must align data rules, trade and cyber security so that services flow without problems through borders. Third, deeper and intrauseana international cooperation is required to share experience and develop the capacity where it is most necessary. Collective progress in these priorities will allow each community, business and government in southeast Asia to realize the complete promise of the digital era.
The study indicates that 2025 is a fundamental year, with several existing development frameworks that conclude and a new strategic connectivity plan Asean 2026-2035 in preparation. The implementation of the recommendations of the report, the GSMA intelligence maintains, will be essential to comply with the ambitions of the next plan and the vision of the community to more broad 2045.
Key findings of digital nations 2025
• ASEAN GDP expanded from USD 737 billion in 2000 by just over USD 4 billion in 2024.
• Singapore leads the 2025 digital nations index with an aggregate score of 88/100; Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand each score above 60.
• On average, the “people” component records the strongest performance in ASEAN; The “infrastructure” and “innovation” remain relatively weaker.
• The region faces an Internet mobile use gap of approximately 285 million people, representing more than two out of five citizens.
• GSMA intelligence establishes three main measures to improve digital preparation: close the infrastructure gap; accelerate the harmonization of regional policy; and take advantage of international cooperation mechanisms.
On the basis of the impulse of DNS Kuala Lumpur, GSMA confirmed that the M360 ASEAN 2026 will take place from September 9 to 10 at the Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur. Under the theme 'Alignment, power and progress policy', the event will explore how Southeast Asia can strengthen digital sovereignty and safe infrastructure. The program will summon telecommunications leaders, political leaders and regional institutions to translate the digital ambitions of the ASEAN in cohesive results ready for the future.
Digital Nations 2025: Achieve the strategic connectivity plan of the ASEAN – It is available for download here.
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About the GSMA
GSMA is a global organization that unifies the mobile ecosystem to discover, develop and offer fundamental innovation to positive business environments and social change. Our vision is to unlock all the power of connectivity so that people, industry and society prosper. Representing mobile operators and organizations throughout the mobile ecosystem and adjacent industries, the GSMA offers its members in three broad pillars: connectivity for good, services and solutions of the industry, and scope. This activity includes progress policy; address today's greatest social challenges; Supporting the technology and interoperability that make the mobile work; and provide the largest platform in the world to call the mobile ecosystem in the MWC and M360 event series.
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