GSMA: 2021 Asia Pacific Digital Society Report

GSMA has released the "2021 Asia Pacific Digital Society Report". This is the sixth annual report, tracking the progress of 11 countries (Australia, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Pakistan, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam) in key aspects of digital society: digital identity, digital citizenship, digital lifestyle, and e-commerce to better reflect today's technology.

The findings provide insight into the role that collaborative efforts play in driving the development of digital societies in Asia Pacific. 4G and 5G allow people, places and things to connect in unprecedented ways. As innovation kicks off, collaborative efforts by people from different industries bring diverse ideas, which helps to clarify common goals. Ultimately, these efforts can lower barriers and build thriving partnerships. Whole-of-government approaches (WGA) and public-private collaborations offer the region the opportunity to leapfrog pain points and ensure the benefits of a digital society are widely spread.

Other highlights from the report include:

• In 2020 and 2021, nearly 130 million people in Asia Pacific used mobile Internet services for the first time, bringing the total number of Internet users in the region to more than 1.2 billion.
• More than 333 million people in the region are expected to use mobile internet for the first time by 2025

Dealing with misinformation online

Smart connectivity (the convergence of 5G, AI and IoT) is driving the post-pandemic economic recovery. However, people must operate in a safe and trusted online environment. A report released by the GSMA earlier this year explained how online misinformation and disinformation have the potential to undermine trust in the online environment. Lack of trust will limit the adoption and use of digital technologies. As more 5G networks are deployed in Asia Pacific, continued dialogue and collaboration are essential to provide the necessary trust for a mature digital society.

The PDF version will be shared on 199IT Knowledge Planet, just scan the QR code below!