Mobile’s impact on the SDGs in Asia Pacific
Mobile has scaled significantly in Asia Pacific since 2015. The number of unique subscribers and mobile connections have grown much faster than the global average, and there has been rapid uptake of mobile broadband in the region, driven by the rollout of 4G networks.
This shift towards faster network speeds, alongside a decline in prices and increase in uptake of smartphones, has ushered in a wave of new digital services in areas such as education and health that underpins mobile’s contribution to the SDGs. 5G will underpin much of the innovation and new services on mobile-based platforms in the coming years, helped by the rapid rollout and adoption of the technology.
IoT solutions also contribute to mobile’s impact on the SDGs in Asia Pacific. China is by far the largest and most developed IoT market globally. Around 70% of licenced cellular IoT connections in the region reside in China, while enterprises in China have one of the highest rates of IoT adoption globally, according to GSMA Intelligence’s enterprise survey. Demand for IoT solutions is growing in South and Southeast Asia, where mobile operators have been involved in a number of smart meter deployments.61 These deployments improve understanding of consumption behaviours to drive efficiencies in the energy and water sectors.
SDG mobile impact scores, Asia Pacific
Source: GSMA Intelligence
Key drivers of SDG mobile impact scores
Mobile broadband coverage and penetration, Asia Pacific
Source: GSMA Intelligence
| 2015 | 2023 | 2015 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile broadband coverage (% of total population) | 3.4 billion | 4.2 billion | 84% | 97% |
| Mobile penetration (% of total population) | 2.3 billion | 3.2 billion | 56% | 74% |
| Mobile internet penetration (% of total population) | 1.3 billion | 2.6 billion | 32% | 61% |
Mobile usage by activity, Asia Pacific
Source: GSMA Intelligence
| Use cases | 2015 | 2023 | 2015 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Watch videos | 820 million | 2.3 billion | 36% | 71% |
| Use social media | 920 million | 2.3 billion | 40% | 70% |
| Make video calls | 850 million | 2.2 billion | 37% | 67% |
| Read news | 890 million | 2.1 billion | 39% | 65% |
| Search for information | 660 million | 2.1 billion | 29% | 64% |
| Buy goods or services | 670 million | 1.8 billion | 29% | 57% |
| Manage or pay bills | 170 million | 1.6 billion | 7% | 51% |
| Use mobile financial services | 300 million | 1.5 billion | 14% | 51% |
| Access information to support training, learning or education | 250 million | 1.3 billion | 11% | 39% |
| Access government services/ information | 150 million | 1.2 billion | 7% | 36% |
| Access health services/ information | 230 million | 1.1 billion | 10% | 35% |
| Access information to help with work or job | 230 million | 1.1 billion | 10% | 35% |
| Use agricultural services | 120 million | 620 million | 5% | 19% |