Malaysia Tops ASEAN Digital Nations Index as GSMA Urges Regional Integration — The GSM Association

Event summary

Malaysia ranked second in ASEAN Digital Nations Index, behind Singapore, driven by strong digital infrastructure, data governance, and AI policies.
GSMA's report highlights Vietnam, Thailand, and the Philippines as fast followers in digital transformation.
ASEAN aims for a $2 trillion digital economy by 2030, requiring integrated national strategies and interoperable regional frameworks.
M360 ASEAN 2026 convened policymakers, regulators, and industry leaders to discuss digital growth priorities.
GSMA's next event, MWC26 Doha, will co-locate with the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference in November 2026.

The big picture

ASEAN's digital transformation is accelerating, with Malaysia leading the charge behind Singapore. The region's ambition to build a $2 trillion digital economy by 2030 hinges on integrating national strategies and fostering interoperability. The involvement of key industry players and regulators at M360 ASEAN underscores the critical role of collaboration in driving this next phase of growth. The upcoming MWC26 Doha event, co-located with the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference, will further highlight the global significance of ASEAN's digital aspirations.

What we're watching

Regional Integration: How ASEAN will translate national digital strategies into a cohesive regional framework to achieve its $2 trillion economy goal by 2030.
Execution Risk: Whether ASEAN countries can sustain their digital progress amid varying levels of infrastructure and regulatory maturity.
Policy Alignment: The pace at which ASEAN nations align their digital policies to foster interoperability and seamless cross-border digital services.