Background
The Asia Pacific Region presents a microcosm of the global picture with different degrees of ICTs development and new technology adoption. ITU's publication of IMT-2020 (5G) standards in 2020 gave impetus for commercial 5G rollout. Apart from the effective use of identified IMT bands as a key resource, the 5G rollout is reported to have several policy and regulatory dimensions that demand a holistic policy and regulatory approach.
It is relevant to mention that the ASP regional Initiative 2 focuses on harnessing telecommunication / ICT technologies. ASP RI 2 ASP2: Harnessing Information And Communication Technologies To Support The Digital Economy And Inclusive Digital Societies
Further, the expected result states, “ Acceleration of digital infrastructure readiness through the timely deployment of optical fibre, 4G and 5G technologies, and ICT/mobile applications in order to improve the delivery of value-added services in sectors such as health, education, environment, agriculture, governance, energy, financial services and e-commerce."
Some of the ITU reports viz. Setting the scene for 5G: Opportunities and Challenges (2018), ICT Infrastructure Business Planning Toolkit – 5G networks (2019), Digital Infrastructure Policy and Regulation in the Asia-Pacific Region September (2019), Best Practice Guidelines Regulatory and economic incentives for an inclusive sustainable digital future (2023) elaborate enablers and factors for consideration in enabling the timely rollout of digital infrastructure, importance of incentivization, and policy and business considerations.
