Ookla held its first-ever APAC Telecommunications Regulatory Summit last July 16 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where over 40 regulators from 10 countries in the Asia-Pacific region gathered to contemplate how crowd-sourced data can help shape superior regulations.
Here are three key points from the APAC Telecommunications Regulatory Summit:
Technology solutions are needed for connectivity. While 5G technology can replace fixed broadband access in certain scenarios, satellite and 5G FWA technology are effective solutions for remote areas. In addition to addressing challenges related to device accessibility and affordability, digital literacy initiatives can help address these challenges.
Regulation and collaboration are essential for driving digital transformation. Government policies and initiatives, such as Malaysia’s Jendela program, help to bolster digital infrastructure, improve customer experience, and promote universal access to telecommunication services. Through a united effort between internet providers, government bodies, and regulators (as seen in the case of Malaysia), connectedness can continue to grow, particularly in rural areas.
Data-driven regulation is needed. Crowdsourced data is crucial to measuring progress, identifying connectivity gaps, and making informed decisions in order to bridge the digital divide and ensure that high-quality broadband is accessible to everyone, including rural and remote areas.
How does improved broadband connectivity affect countries in the Asia-Pacific region?
Data from Speedtest Intelligence reveal that while fixed network performance differs across the region, mobile networks continue to make progress in terms of performance and are often a person’s principal connection. In Malaysia and Indonesia, 5G has even surpassed fixed network performance, as Malaysia registered a median 5G download speed of 511.79 Mbps compared with 93.19 Mbps for fixed. The Philippines, on the other hand, showed median download speeds of 133.47 Mbps on 5G paired with 93.19 Mbps over fixed broadband.
