LKYSPP urges ASEAN to lead with 5G-AI national strategies

5G could add US$130b to Asia-Pacific by 2030, but uneven adoption may widen disparities.

The Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKYSPP) has urged ASEAN nations to act swiftly and collaboratively to harness the transformative potential of 5G and artificial intelligence.

In its report titled “Leveraging 5G to Accelerate AI-Driven Transformation in ASEAN”, LKYSPP estimated that 5G alone could inject up to US$130b into the Asia-Pacific economy by 2030 but warns that uneven adoption threatens to widen regional disparities.

The academe recommended five priorities that include the creation of national 5G-AI strategies with roadmaps through 2030, the establishment of empowered coordination bodies in each member state, the implementation of progressive spectrum policies.

Further, it suggested the development of vibrant AI ecosystems through public-private collaboration, and the use of performance monitoring frameworks to guide strategic adjustments.

The report emphasized enterprise adoption as a central driver of 5G’s economic impact and highlights several regional success stories. In Singapore, smart ports have reduced latency by 50%. Thailand has deployed AI-enhanced disaster response systems, and Malaysia’s wholesale network model has achieved 82% population coverage.

LKYSPP also noted the critical role of private 5G networks in advancing Industry 4.0 and promotes Fixed Wireless Access as a solution for underserved areas.

The current rollout of 5G infrastructure, it says, will lay the groundwork for ASEAN’s competitiveness in the coming 6G era.

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