KUALA LUMPUR – Asean may have built much of the digital infrastructure needed for its next phase of growth, but the region’s bigger challenge now is ensuring more people are able to access and use those services.
Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA) head of Asia Pacific Julian Gorman said mobile infrastructure already covers more than 98% of the region, but a significant usage gap remains, with affordability, trust and reliability among the barriers preventing people from fully participating in the digital economy.
“The big focus here is how we close the usage gap. So, mobile infrastructure actually covers more than 98% of operation in the region,” he said during a media session at the M360 Asean conference today.
Gorman said governments and industry players must do more to bring those who remain excluded into the digital economy by addressing issues that prevent wider adoption.
“It’s important that we help bring those people in, remove the barriers such as price, distrust, and making sure there’s reliable services.”
He added that governments also have a role in engaging users and creating a more inclusive digital environment.
“And making sure that government engages with users, so that we can build the foundation of a more inclusive environment.”
His comments come as M360 Asean makes its debut as a dedicated regional platform bringing together governments, regulators, telecommunications companies and technology players to discuss the region’s digital future.
Organised by GSMA and endorsed by the Communications Ministry, with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) as host partner, the two-day event focuses on areas including 5G, artificial intelligence, digital connectivity and digital trust.
For Gorman, digital trust is one of the priorities that can unite the region despite differences among Asean economies.
“Digital trust is a uniting, common priority across the region. Preserving and nurturing digital trust is about investing in the future,” he said while speaking to the media today.
He said Asean would not be able to achieve its ambitions of becoming a stronger digital region without greater cooperation on trust, data and regulation.
“We can’t grow, we can’t achieve the ambitions of digital nations or digital region without that focus,” he stressed.
The need for greater cooperation will become increasingly important as digital services become more interconnected across borders, particularly with countries moving towards digital identities and other shared digital systems.
Gorman pointed to the possibility of Malaysia’s digital ID being used in Thailand as an example of why stronger regional coordination is needed.
“That’s why it’s really important to have one focused on ASEAN,” he added.
He said Asean’s diversity could also become a strength, with countries at different stages of digital development able to share expertise, investment and infrastructure capabilities.
The region is already seeing major investments in data centres, subsea cables and other infrastructure supporting its digital ambitions, with Malaysia emerging as a key player in data centre and artificial intelligence infrastructure.
“Malaysia is playing a very strong role in digital data centres, AI data centres,” he said.
However, Gorman said Asean’s digital transformation should not be viewed simply as a race to build more infrastructure.
Instead, he said the region’s strength lies in its ability to combine different economies, capabilities and experiences through collaboration.
“We can work together to solve that. We talk about diversity in economies and size of countries, cultural conditions, and we share. It’s not just about technology,” he explained.
That approach is also the role GSMA sees for M360 Asean — providing a platform where governments, regulators and industry players can exchange experiences, share solutions and identify areas where closer cooperation is needed.
Gorman said the platform would return to Malaysia next year, with GSMA viewing the country as an important partner in advancing Asean’s digital agenda.
“The M360 is meant to be a platform and a vehicle to help the region, and Malaysia’s key issue, help the region move forward and deliver that vision,” he said.
For Asean, the next stage of digital growth may therefore depend less on how much infrastructure can be built, and more on whether people across the region can afford it, trust it and use it effectively. – September 9, 2026