Around 1.2 billion people in Developing Asia Pacific remain offline despite 98% of the region’s population living within reach of a 4G network, with a US$184 billion investment gap threatening efforts to achieve universal connectivity by 2030.
A report by GSMA Intelligence, commissioned by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), found that around 1.1 billion people who have access to mobile broadband remain disconnected, largely due to barriers including device affordability, limited digital skills, safety concerns and a lack of relevant content.
The 1.2 billion people still offline represent 46% of the world’s unconnected population. Mobile internet adoption in Developing Asia Pacific rose from 62% in 2020 to 71% in 2025, but progress remains uneven across the region.
East Asia recorded a mobile internet usage rate of 93%, largely driven by China, while the rate was just 36% in the Pacific Islands. Southeast Asia saw the fastest growth over the past five years, with mobile internet penetration rising by almost 20 percentage points to 76% by the end of 2025.
The report also found disparities in access and usage. Women in the region are 12% less likely than men to use mobile internet, while people in rural areas are 25% less likely to be connected than their urban counterparts. The gender gap exceeds 25% in the Pacific Islands and South Asia.
Connectivity quality also varies. Although 93% of mobile internet users in Developing Asia Pacific use 4G or 5G smartphones, 7% still rely on older devices. That share rises to 59% in the Pacific Islands and 23% in Central and West Asia.
The report estimates that at least US$316 billion must be invested to achieve universal connectivity, against an expected US$132 billion from the private sector and consumers, leaving a funding shortfall of US$184 billion.
Without additional investment, the region could fall 18 percentage points short of the International Telecommunication Union’s 2030 universal connectivity target.
GSMA Chief Regulatory Officer and GSMA Foundation President John Giusti said closing the mobile internet usage gap was essential to development.
“Closing the mobile usage gap is a development imperative, with proven impacts on poverty reduction, education, health and economic growth,” he said.
He added that progress would require policy reforms to encourage investment and coordinated efforts to address barriers preventing people from getting online.
Closing the 4G connectivity gap by 2030 could increase gross domestic product across Developing Asia Pacific by about US$230 billion, according to the report. Wider benefits could include better access to education and healthcare, poverty reduction, improved humanitarian assistance and lower carbon emissions.
The report called for targeted investment and policy measures to make devices more affordable, strengthen digital skills, encourage network investment and expand capacity.
