ASEAN Must Enhance Collaboration In Bridging Digital Gaps -- ITU

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan. 21 (Bernama) -- The Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) must enhance collaboration in bridging digital gaps in their respective countries and among member states to enable people in the region to further benefit from the digital and communication technology. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) said this is crucial as digital disparities are expected to widen as emerging technologies, such as 5G, artificial intelligence, big data and cloud computing are being introduced. ITU Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, Atsuko Okuda, noted that this is also because the digital divide still exist across gender, urban-rural, developed-developing countries, old-young, migrant communities and people with disabilities. “The wealthier, well-educated, digitally savvy urban youth will perhaps have much more opportunities in education, employment and businesses than the rest of the societal groups in the same country. “As such, the digital divide, defined by access to networks, devices and digital skills and literacy, is feared to cascade into a wider socioeconomic divide in this digital era of post-COVID-19,” Okuda said in a written reply in an interview with Bernama in conjunction with the inaugural ASEAN Digital Ministers’ Meeting (ADGMIN1) and related meetings from Jan 18-22, hosted by Malaysia. Themed ‘ASEAN: A Digitally Connected Community’, the ADGMIN1, which is being held virtually due to the ongoing pandemic, seeks to strengthen cooperation among ASEAN countries towards building digital ecosystem as a pillar in the post-COVID-19 development plan. She said this is also paramount especially in light of the global COVID-19 pandemic which has highlighted the critical role of information and communications technologies (ICTs) for the continued functioning of societies in the form of digital applications and services following the COVID-19 lockdown situation. “All the countries need to realise where the gaps exist and the reason for the gap which may be related to affordability as well as availability in remote and rural areas. “Efforts must be undertaken in many different ways and coordinated across government agencies and society as a whole in making the digital infrastructure available and access to services and devices affordable,” she said. In this aspect, Okuda said policy and regulations play a very important part in the digital development of a country and the region. Citing a recent study conducted by ITU, she said it had shown that the mobile coverage can increase by up to 29 per cent in two years if, among others, spectrum sharing is allowed, competition policies are in place, and that the countries do have a national broadband plan. “At the same time, we witness a significant increase in the usage and demand for digital services and networks in various socio-economic sectors, such as schools, hospitals and businesses over the years, but particularly under the COVID-19 lockdowns. “These needs, demands and requirements should be consolidated and met through the whole of government approach and comprehensive digital policies and strategies,” she said. In this sense, Okuda noted that the ASEAN Digital Master Plan 2025 (ADM2025) would be an essential step to facilitate the development of ICT with the whole of government approach at the centre. To ensure sustainable digital environment to push for a digitally connected ASEAN, she told Bernama that besides focusing on direct investment to roll out digital infrastructure, other indirect actions must also be taken, such as lowering taxes, having enabling policies, and reduced cost of spectrum. In her interview, Okuda also emphasised that investments in human resources, businesses, contents and applications is also essential to ensure the investment in networks and infrastructure is sustainable for the long term. On the other hand, she said private investment should be encouraged in areas where demand for digital services and use is expected. “Private investment should be promoted not only in the development of infrastructure but also digital applications and services to create a sustainable demand for infrastructure and networks with sustainable financing models,” she added. Established in 1865, the ITU is a United Nations specialised agency for ICT where it, among others, facilitates international connectivity in communications networks, allocate global radio spectrum and satellite orbit and develop technical standards that ensure networks and technologies are seamlessly interconnected. ASEAN, a regional grouping, comprise 10 nations, namely Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. -- BERNAMA