As smartphones and other devices drive up data traffic on wireless broadband networks, governments are placing greater emphasis on spectrum policy as an engine of wider economic development. In many ASEAN and South Asia countries, there is currently a 200 MHz shortfall in spectrum assigned for mobile services compared to countries in 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 facilitate the availability of more harmonised spectrum and ensure efficient assignment of spectrum to mobile operators.