As Asia embraces a digital-first future, the forces shaping its connectivity infrastructure are evolving in tandem. While the spotlight often shines on emerging technologies like 5G, edge computing, and satellite broadband, the foundations enabling this next wave of connectivity are being quietly redrawn through smarter regulations and more diverse vendor ecosystems.
These two factors, often viewed as supporting acts, are now stepping into central roles, determining not just how networks are built, but how resilient, inclusive, and future-ready they become.
Evolving Regulations
Across the region, governments and regulators are rethinking their approach to telecom oversight. The traditional top-down, risk-averse posture is gradually giving way to more agile, innovation-friendly frameworks. Rather than simply enforcing compliance, many regulators are now positioning themselves as enablers, offering sandbox environments, encouraging private-public partnerships, and pushing for infrastructure-sharing to bridge the digital divide.
This regulatory shift is especially evident in fast-growing economies aiming to leapfrog legacy infrastructure challenges. By allowing more flexible spectrum usage, streamlining licensing processes, and supporting experimental deployments, countries are accelerating the rollout of next-generation connectivity.
In July 2024, the Ministry of Communication and Informatics (Kominfo) issued Technical Standard No. 352, establishing new guidelines for LTE and 5G New Radio (NR) technologies. This regulation defines additional frequency bands for both subscriber and base stations, aiming to improve mobile broadband services across Indonesia.
In August 2024, Hong Kong’s Office of the Communications Authority (OFCA) approved the cessation of 2G services. The spectrum previously allocated to 2G in the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz bands will be repurposed to enhance 5G services, reflecting a strategic shift towards next-generation mobile networks.
Despite this shift, cybersecurity, data sovereignty, and supply chain integrity remain front and center. Regulatory frameworks are becoming more nuanced, encouraging innovation while simultaneously tightening controls around critical infrastructure and digital assets. The result is a delicate balancing act that seeks to fuel digital transformation without compromising trust or national security.
Vendor Diversity
Alongside regulatory shifts, the telecom ecosystem is witnessing a significant diversification in its supply chain. No longer dominated by a handful of legacy equipment providers, the market is welcoming a broader pool of vendors spanning global players, regional innovators, and cloud-native startups.
This shift is being accelerated by the rise of open and disaggregated network architectures, such as Open RAN. These approaches enable operators to mix and match components from multiple vendors, increasing flexibility and reducing the risks associated with single-vendor dependencies.
Beyond resilience, vendor diversity fosters innovation. Different providers bring unique strengths—be it in AI-powered network automation, energy-efficient design, or rural connectivity solutions tailored to underserved markets. For telcos, this means more opportunities to align network investments with business goals, local realities, and sustainability targets.
Local vendors, in particular, are gaining momentum. With a better understanding of regional needs and often more agile development cycles, these players are helping to localize technology deployment. Their presence strengthens national digital sovereignty while also creating opportunities for export and regional collaboration.
For example, China Mobile and NTT DOCOMO jointly developed the world's first multi-vendor eSIM. NOW Corporation (NOW) is advancing connectivity in remote regions in the Philippines through its Trusted Network initiative. By partnering exclusively with vendors deemed low-risk, NOW ensures both resilience and cybersecurity in underserved areas.
NEC is enabling telcos to modernize their infrastructure through cloud-native, microservice-based solutions that thrive in multi-vendor environments, eliminating vendor lock-in while enhancing integration.
In Australia, Telstra is pushing the boundaries of intelligent connectivity by embedding AI into operations in collaboration with traditional infrastructure vendors, showing that strategic vendor partnerships can drive next-generation efficiencies.
Meanwhile, in Vietnam, Viettel has launched a commercial Open RAN 5G network in partnership with Qualcomm, proving that open, interoperable systems can support both public and private network demands while fostering a sustainable vendor ecosystem.
Read More: Collaborative Ventures Between Telecom Operators and Vendors in the Asia Pacific
The Glue Holding It All Together
With more vendors in the mix, interoperability has never been more critical. Operators must now integrate hardware and software components from different providers without compromising performance or security. This is where global standards, joint testing labs, and certification programs play a crucial role.
Efforts across the industry are converging to ensure that multi-vendor networks remain as seamless and secure as their legacy counterparts. From cloud-native core networks to virtualized RAN setups, achieving plug-and-play interoperability is no longer a luxury; it’s a necessity for scalable, future-proof infrastructure.
In Asia, mandates promoting open interfaces are gaining traction to encourage interoperability and innovation. India’s Telecommunications Act 2023 and the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s (TRAI) push for spectrum and infrastructure sharing aim to foster open, collaborative telecom environments. The Philippines’ proposed Open Access in Data Transmission Act seeks to dismantle monopolies in data transmission and promote an open internet. Regionally, the GSMA Open Gateway initiative is being adopted by key players like PLDT, Smart Communications, Globe Telecom, Chunghwa Telecom, and CTM, offering developers standardized network application programming interfaces (APIs) to build cross-operator digital services. These efforts mark a strategic move across Asia toward multi-vendor, future-ready networks.
Furthermore, others are incentivizing the adoption of vendor-neutral platforms. Japan’s Open RAN ecosystem, backed by government funding, supports multi-vendor deployments to reduce dependence on specific suppliers.
South Korea is promoting Open RAN through government-industry collaboration, aiming to boost domestic tech capabilities. Minister Lee Jong Ho, emphasized, "Amidst intensifying global technological competition surrounding communication networks, Open RAN is gaining attention as a key element for taking the higher ground in this competition."
Through ORIA (Open RAN Industry Alliance), we aim to create a collaborative and mutually beneficial ecosystem among the public and private sectors, as well as large businesses and SMEs.
Meanwhile, Singapore’s Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) is offering grants to explore and pilot interoperable 5G networks.
These initiatives are laying the groundwork for a new kind of telecom infrastructure: one that is modular, dynamic, and innovation-driven.
Policy and Procurement as Catalysts
Regulations and procurement practices will be just as influential as the technologies themselves in shaping Asia’s connectivity landscape. Smart spectrum policy, trusted vendor frameworks, and climate-aligned infrastructure mandates will determine which innovations gain traction—and how quickly.
Procurement strategies will also need to evolve. Rather than defaulting to the most established vendors, operators and governments alike must assess suppliers based on agility, security, sustainability, and localization potential. Such criteria will empower emerging players while ensuring networks are both robust and responsive to change.
In this dynamic environment, collaboration will be key. Stakeholders across the ecosystem—regulators, telcos, vendors, and communities—must work together to define standards, share threat intelligence, and co-create solutions that are not just cutting-edge, but equitable and secure.
Asia stands at a pivotal moment in its connectivity journey. The convergence of progressive regulation and vendor diversity offers a powerful springboard, not just for more efficient networks, but for more inclusive and resilient digital societies.
As these foundational forces mature, they will redefine what it means to be connected, not only by enabling faster speeds and lower latency, but by ensuring that connectivity is built on trust, choice, and shared opportunity.
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Shared Difference: The Variety of Telecom Regulations in Asia