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 ...
07/10/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, today announced the latest Long-Term Supported (LTS) release of Dalet Flex. Build...
06/09/2026
June 9 2026, 23:00 (PDT) Dolby and MagentaTV Bring Fans Closer to the FIFA Worl...
04/08/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
22/07/2026
eds3_5_jq(document).ready(function($) { $(#eds_sliderM519).chameleonSlider_2_1({ content_source:......
22/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
22/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
22/07/2026
Proven managed IP solution helps broadcasters confidently navigate the future of broadcast distribution
LTN announces it has completed successful satellite-to-...
22/07/2026
Today, Chaos announced V-Ray 7, update 4, eliminating the need for asset conversions and tool switching, which slow down media and entertainment pipelines. Arti...
22/07/2026
An AI playground for the Project Indigo camera app
Marc Levoy July 22, 2026
0 Comments
At left is the user interface of our Playground, running on an ...
22/07/2026
Custom Consoles announces the completion of a large technical furniture project for Radio T l vision Suisse (RTS) at the networks recently inaugurated productio...
22/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
22/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
22/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
22/07/2026
Culver City, CA, July 21, 2026 3D streaming infrastructure provider Miris today announced glTF intake, including the binary .glb form, to its spatial streamin...
22/07/2026
Documentary Lo Invisible Captured with Blackmagic PYXIS 6K
Brie Clayton July 21, 2026
0 Comments
Camera's versatile design allowed filmmakers to c...
22/07/2026
AAF Bridge converts AAF and XML Timelines to Ableton Live - and back
Jerome Gardier July 21, 2026
0 Comments
A two-way converter for macOS and Windows...
22/07/2026
From Class to Concert: Explore a Student-Led Production of David Bowies Work Thr...
22/07/2026
Audio at Parity: Comscore Launches Transcript-Level Targeting and Measurement wi...
22/07/2026
Arvato Systems and Lobster Enter into a Partnership and Combine the Integration Platform and Managed Services
Flexible integration solutions for cloud, hybrid...
22/07/2026
RT REPORTS NET SURPLUS OF 22.5 MILLION IN 2025...
22/07/2026
In the Opinion of the Censor airs Monday 27 July at 9.35pm on RT One and RT Player
In the Opinion of the Censor looks at how films for theatrical release wer...
22/07/2026
Before a healthcare robot can be useful in the real world, it has to learn how the physical world pushes back. Anatomy varies. Instruments bend, press, slip and...
21/07/2026
New research involving a cross-section of Mongolias independent media landscape finds enthusiasm for AI as a tool to improve efficiency, sustainability and resi...
21/07/2026
With winners Spain having already paraded the World Cup trophy through Madrid in front of millions of fans and the dust now settling on an epic tournament of th...
21/07/2026
In a time of disarray in regional sports broadcasting, the league will provide c...
21/07/2026
When NEP designed one of its largest recurring mobile production unit fleets for PGA TOUR
coverage, the leading media services provider faced a familiar challe...
21/07/2026
High-end analogue channel strip boasts plug-in recall
Originally revealed as a prototype back at NAMM 2024, the Channex Studio channel strip represented a b...
21/07/2026
Relies on same DSP as plug-in range
Musik Hack's line-up has been influenced heavily by founder Stan Greene's work as a mixing engineer, and their M...
21/07/2026
Official collaboration with boutique builder Dirty Boy Pedals
Warm Audio have just announced the launch of a new guitar pedal range created in collaboration...
21/07/2026
SBS scores biggest ever FIFA World Cup Reach as Spain triumph in the final
21 July, 2026
Media releases
Spain v Argentina attracted a Total TV reach of al...
21/07/2026
Rohde & Schwarz showcases broad range of EMC test solutions at EMC SIPI 2026 in ...
21/07/2026
Warner Bros. Discovery's unbroken lead is interrupted as sports and live mus...
21/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
21/07/2026
Across the TV and streaming ecosystem, industry players face mounting pressure to do more with less. They must simplify operations, protect premium content and ...
21/07/2026
Tuxera, a leading prover of quality-assured file systems and networking technologies, is bringing its latest advances in connectivity performance to the media w...
21/07/2026
COW Jobs: Apple Motion Expert for Custom FCP Rigged Graphics Package
Brie Clayton July 21, 2026
0 Comments
HIRING: Apple Motion Expert for Custom FCP ...
21/07/2026
Cinegy GmbH, the premier provider of software-defined television technology, will use its presence at IBC2026 (stand 7.A01, Amsterdam RAI, 11 14 September) to...
21/07/2026
Calrec will be located in Hall 8, on Stand C47
Beyond bigger
For years, broadcast facilities were built around one assumption: provision for the biggest pro...
21/07/2026
Pebble, the leading automation, content management and integrated channel specialist, will discuss its future-facing developments for the new generation of medi...
21/07/2026
nxtedition returns to IBC2026 with its consolidated production platform, showing how scripting, editing, graphics, AI-assisted tools and automation can work wit...
21/07/2026
C2PA content signing helps broadcasters, public institutions, and publishers give audiences a verifiable record of where their video content came from and how i...
21/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
21/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
21/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
21/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
21/07/2026
New capability centralizes collaboration, feedback, security and status tracking within VIDA, providing a structured, auditable approach to master quality contr...
21/07/2026
Lightcraft Launches Exclusive Spark Story Beta for Filmmakers and Creators at SI...
21/07/2026
Indie Road Movie Where in the Hell Shot with Pocket Cinema Camera 4K
Brie Clayton July 20, 2026
0 Comments
Colorist blends vintage film looks to shape...
9 minute read 
