
9 minute read
Share
Part One: Live
Download full report PDF
Read the press release
Survey Findings (Infographics) PDF
Decoding changing attitudes towards mobile connectivity in South and Southeast Asia.
In the past 25 years, mobile connectivity has exploded in Asia, creating new industries, reshaping media, and transforming how we connect with each other. That growth story is often told through the prism of the region's largest economies: China, India, Japan, and South Korea. But since the outbreak of COVID-19, we have seen the next wave of mass digital engagement and growth accelerate in markets throughout South and Southeast Asia.
To take stock of fast-changing digital lifestyles in the region, Telenor conducted a survey of over 8,000 people using mobile devices and internet across Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
The survey highlighted that they share a common appreciation for the benefits of an always-on life. Cutting across different markets and age groups, most respondents are united by a firm belief that connectivity empowers them with more economic opportunity, convenience, and entertainment options. At an interpersonal level, mobile devices enrich relationships and enable us to stay connected, even as the aftershocks of the pandemic continue to disrupt how we interact with one another in various settings across our daily lives.
However, our study also reveals gaps in digital transformation in these markets. Older and rural users find fewer benefits to mobile access than their young, urban counterparts. And skill gaps, privacy and security have become serious concerns in every country we surveyed, with those living in cities more likely to say privacy and security is a strong consideration in how they use mobile devices and apps than those residing in village or rural areas.
As mobile connectivity evolves from a nice-to-have to a must-have, the need to understand these gaps is becoming more important to policymakers, businesses, and individuals alike. Lacking the right skills, awareness, devices, or being off the grid can severely restrict access to education, healthcare, and employment. In tandem, bringing more people online and accelerating digital adoption requires greater energy consumption so there is a need to better understand the carbon footprint of our online habits. Insights from this survey can thus act as a map of where to bridge the widest digital divides.
We believe we have reached a digital inflection point for Asia. This year Telenor celebrates a quarter of a century of operations in Asia. As we look forward, we wish that future to be one where mobile connectivity is empowering and sustainable for all. We hope you too will find that our Digital Life Decoded study brings deep insights into building that future together.
Jorgen C. Arentz Rostrup
Head of Telenor Asia
Overview Digital Lives Decoded is a three-part series - released in conjunction with Telenor's 25th anniversary in Asia - looking at the role of mobile devices in shaping how we live, work, and play. The first report examines the impact mobile devices are having on the way consumers live and reveals how mobile connectivity is bringing power to the people.
Key factors for better quality of life
Five key trends for continued surge in mobile usage
1. Swiping up for an always-on lifestyle Respondents surveyed have their phone with them for large parts of the day
Our findings show that more than a third of people (35%) say their usage has increased significantly' since the turn of the year, a rate greater than at any point over the past five years. Bangladesh has seen one of the sharpest digital acceleration in 2022 alone (41%), alongside the Philippines and Thailand, both at 40%.
Despite already high usage
Drivers for increased mobile usage
..76% believe they have struck a good balance on technology usage
Younger generations are most likely to feel they are overusing technology, suggesting that those who did not grow up with mobile devices are better able to manage how they use them, compared to those who have lived with them all their lives.
2. Keeping up as digital life charges ahead In spite of the current time spent on mobile devices, respondents are still concerned about their digital skills and whether they are sufficient to get the most out of technology in the coming years.
85% of people are concerned about keeping pace with rapidly changing technology, although almost everyone surveyed (97%) feel their skills are sufficient to get them by for now.
3. (Lack of) trust in the digital world Privacy and security of mobile devices a concern for 93% of respondents
This concern is driving changes in behaviour for almost everyone. 98% of people say that privacy and security is now a factor in how, when and where they are using their devices as well as which apps they use and the services they access.
When viewed alongside concerns raised about keeping up with the pace of change, privacy and security need to be key considerations as the industry looks at critical skills for the digital economy and a hyper-connected world.
4. Tapping into a more sustainable life
5. Mobile technology is closing divides Increased mobile connectivity has also improved inclusion for most respondents
However, it is worth noting the disparity between responses of those living in cities and rural areas. This highlights the ongoing need to broaden the reach of these services to those outside urban areas - a trend that financial institutions should note as they seek to iron out inequalities in access.
Overall, these results should send a clear message to everyone connected with the mobile industry: devices can bring significant benefits to both individuals and society at large. From better access to much
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
01/06/2026
January 6 2026, 05:30 (PST) Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026
Throughout the week, Dolby brings to life the latest innovatio...
02/05/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
01/05/2026
January 5 2026, 18:30 (PST) NBCUniversal's Peacock to Be First Streamer to ...
01/04/2026
January 4 2026, 18:00 (PST) DOLBY AND DOUYIN EMPOWER THE NEXT GENERATON OF CREATORS WITH DOLBY VISION
Douyin Users Can Now Create And Share Videos With Stun...
30/03/2026
Manifold Technologies, a Germany-based provider of cloud infrastructure for live broadcast production, will demonstrate support for 400GbE COTS FPGA accelerator...
30/03/2026
Boland Communications will introduce its QD4K315HDR10, a 31.5-inch QD-OLED monitor, at NAB Show 2026 (Booth C3519, April 18-22). The company is also introducing...
30/03/2026
PTZOptics will demonstrate its Move 4K PTZ cameras and Horizon web-based control platform at NAB Show 2026 (Booth N1902).
Move 4K with Horizon is now available...
30/03/2026
Net Insight will demonstrate the next version of Nimbra Edge, its orchestration and control layer for live media services across multi-domain environments, at N...
30/03/2026
Appear ASA will exhibit at NAB Show 2026 (Booth W1531, April 19-22, Las Vegas). The company completed an IPO in November 2025.
Our customer-first approach is ...
30/03/2026
Harmonic has announced new capabilities for its sports streaming platform, covering multiview, programmatic advertising, in-stream advertising, and content wate...
30/03/2026
Ateme (Booth W1723) will demonstrate broadcast, streaming, and AI-driven media workflow solutions at NAB Show 2026.
GenAI and Agentic AI
Ateme will demonstrat...
30/03/2026
Bitmovin has announced new capabilities for Player Web X, its web video player, ...
30/03/2026
The 2026 NAB Show (April 18-22, exhibits April 19-22, Las Vegas Convention Center) will host Brazil's Minister of Communications, Frederico de Siqueira Filh...
30/03/2026
EVS will exhibit at NAB Show 2026 (Booth N1841), highlighting new products and updates across its live production portfolio, including the debut of T-Motion med...
30/03/2026
Solid State Logic will demonstrate its virtualized System T platform at NAB Show 2026 (Booth C6907). Demonstrations will include the VTE1 virtual DSP engine, ne...
30/03/2026
Globecast will exhibit at NAB Show 2026 (Booth W3335), highlighting its hybrid service model spanning satellite, IP, fiber, and cloud.
The company will demonst...
30/03/2026
The Alliance for IP Media Solutions (AIMS), Advanced Media Workflow Association (AMWA), and the Video Services Forum (VSF) have announced that the IP Showcase w...
30/03/2026
At NAB Show 2026 BBright will present a demonstration of its One Stream for the World concept, showing how a single ST 2110 playout stream can simultaneously ...
30/03/2026
OpenDrives will demonstrate new products at NAB Show 2026, with two locations in the West Hall: a pod (W3443-E) in the Sports Business Hub and a cabana at W1158...
30/03/2026
Behind The Mic provides a roundup of recent news regarding on-air talent, including new deals, departures, and assignments compiled from press releases and repo...
30/03/2026
The economics of live sports streaming have changed. New rights models, cloud production tools, and lower-cost distribution have made it possible for high schoo...
30/03/2026
MPE-capable chamber strings library announced
Alongside their collection of Kontakt instruments, Sonora Cinematic have been steadily introducing a series of...
30/03/2026
Latin-inspired percussion instrument announced
Built on a newly developed engine and interface, UJAM's latest instrument has been designed to create Lat...
30/03/2026
Latest Eduardo Tarilonte collaboration announced
The latest library to join Best Service's ever-growing range includes four solo wind instruments that c...
30/03/2026
We want to hear from you!
Complete our SOS Quick Survey and enter the prize draw for a chance to win one of three $50 Amazon vouchers!
Sound On Sound carri...
30/03/2026
CC-330 Husky. 2024 Eric Desbiens Photography.
Used with permission for the announcement and related communications. No residual rights....
30/03/2026
L3Harris Technologies will provide WESCAM CMX -8 sensor systems for integration on new Uncrewed Aircraft Systems from MDA Space, enhancing the Royal Canadian Na...
30/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
30/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
30/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
30/03/2026
Synamedia today announced that Mileto Tecnologia, one of Brazil's largest pay-TV operators, has chosen the Synamedia Go platform to support its rapid OTT ex...
30/03/2026
FOR-A's Software-Defined, AI-Powered Development Advances with Nippon TV and...
30/03/2026
Give Your Astrophotography REAL Depth - After Effects Tutorial
Graham Quince March 30, 2026
0 Comments
In this tutorial, I talk you through the full w...
30/03/2026
Alfalite returns to NAB Show alongside FOR-A, showcasing LED solutions for broad...
30/03/2026
Introducing WO Aurora WideOrbit is pleased to introduce WO Aurora, a new name fo...
30/03/2026
Sky welcomes Karen Blackett CBE to its DAC and thanks Baroness Prashar and Ndidi Okezie as they step down after five yearsMonday 30 March 2026
Sky announces ch...
30/03/2026
Back to All News
Netflix Announces the Reunion for Love is Blind: Sweden Season...
30/03/2026
Back to All News
Netflix unveils new images from the second season of Gangs of Galicia
Entertainment
30 March 2026
GlobalSpain
Link copied to clipboard
Do...
30/03/2026
Back to All News
The Latest on Netflix Anime, Unveiled at AnimeJapan 2026
Entertainment
30 March 2026
GlobalJapan
Link copied to clipboard
From romance an...
30/03/2026
Leading Taiwan Broadband Operator Drives Fiber Deeper with Harmonic SAN JOSE, Calif. - March 30, 2026 - Harmonic (NASDAQ: HLIT) today announced that KBRO, a lea...
30/03/2026
Tyngsboro, Mass., March 30, 2026 - City councils, county commissions, school boa...
29/03/2026
Cloud-based production, real-time engagement, and creator-driven storytelling ai...
28/03/2026
Now features DiGiCo console integration
Harrison's live recording and virtual soundcheck software has just reached its third major version, which among ...
28/03/2026
MPE-capable chamber strings library announced
Alongside their collection of Kontakt instruments, Sonora Cinematic have been steadily introducing a series of...
28/03/2026
Globecast, the leading provider of broadcast, media and entertainment managed services, will showcase its reimagined approach to media operations at the 2026 NA...
28/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
27/03/2026
In-venue and creative video staffers at the professional and collegiate level ha...
27/03/2026
Comcast Business deployed network infrastructure for the 2026 PLAYERS Championsh...
27/03/2026
Czech production company CS live has equipped its newest outside broadcast van w...