In this report for Axiata Group Berhad, Plum examined the state of current spectrum assignments and future spectrum plans across different regions, and highlighted the issues and challenges facing countries in ASEAN and South Asia.

Plum found that there was a shortfall of around 200 MHz assigned for mobile services in many middle and low income ASEAN and South Asian countries compared to Europe and North America. This spectrum ‘divide’ is likely to widen by 2020 and have significant consequences for broadband provision in urban and rural areas. To address this policy actions are required to make available more harmonised spectrum and to facilitate the efficient assignment of spectrum to mobile operators.