Asia Pacific’s mobile economy contributed US$950 billion to the region’s GDP in 2024, according to the newly released Mobile Economy Asia Pacific 2025 report by GSMA.
Unveiled at GSMA’s Digital Nation Summit in Singapore, the study indicates that the mobile sector plays a critical role in driving economic growth and digital transformation, accounting for 6.1 percent growth in the APAC GDP.
With increased investments in network development in 5G, IoT and AI, GSMA expects the industry’s contribution will rise to US$1.4 trillion by 2030.
The mobile ecosystem has also become a great job creator, supporting 17 million jobs – 11 million directly in the industry and another six million in associated sectors – across the region last year.
Public funding contribution of more than US$90 billion in 2024, excluding spectrum and other regulatory fees, further underpins the importance of this sector through financial returns.
Between 2019 and 2024, operators invested nearly US$220 billion into 5G networks, with another US$254 billion investment projected through to 2030.
Amid these developments, the report cites several important issues. Over the last decade, spectrum fees have tripled, taking up an ever-increasing share of revenues from operators. More than 700 million people are still offline, while the region has the ninth-largest mobile usage gap in the world’s countries. In the Philippines alone, there are 55 million people who lack internet access.
“Mobile connectivity is the oxygen of Asia Pacific’s digital transformation – driving economic growth, innovation and inclusion. To sustain momentum, we need decisive action – affordable spectrum, smarter financing and collective action to tackle scams and cyber-threats,” said Julian Gorman, Head of Asia Pacific at GSMA.
To respond to fraud and cybersecurity threats raised by the growing tentacles of 5G and IoT, operators deploy AI-powered fraud detection, zero-trust security frameworks, and cross-sectoral task forces, such as the GSMA-led Asia Pacific Cross Sector Anti-Scam Taskforce. The GSMA Open Gateway initiative is also enabling stronger digital identity and security for apps and platforms.
The report makes it clear that sustainable spectrum policies, innovation-friendly regulation and targeted funding for underserved areas will be crucial to bridging the digital divide and maintaining Asia Pacific’s digital momentum through the decade
Entelechy Asia 