Connectivity, Innovation and Growth: Fostering an Open Internet in Asia – A Report by TRPC

Connectivity, Innovation and Growth: Fostering an Open Internet in Asia – A Report by TRPC

Download PDF

fosteringanOpenInternetinAsia-cover
Overview
The Internet is rapidly becoming the most popular way people access and consume content, such as music, movies, TV shows, sports, social media postings and increasingly smart device apps, for example, web-cams and connected machines in cars and homes. In Asia, which has the highest number of Internet users in the world with 1.8 billion people online, the demand for such content is a key driver of demand for broadband access and usage, which in turn incentivizes investment in networks by both public and private players.
Investment in broadband networks—fixed line, fixed-wireless, cellular mobile or WiFi—stimulates an ecosystem of app developers, content producers, smart device manufacturing, and web-based services such as payment systems and cloud computing, that stretch far beyond the initial demand for content itself.
But these gains will not be realized if the Internet becomes restricted by inhibitive policies and/or monopolistic behaviour of incumbent industry players. An open Internet is a necessary precondition for the virtuous cycle to emerge. The vibrant development of the Internet in more advanced digital economies has shown to be based on it being a system open to all and discriminating against none. Arguments that the Internet needs to be restricted, regulated the same way as traditional industries, or that access to content needs to be ‘controlled’, threaten the virtuous circle that has given rise to so many social and economic benefits.
This is not to argue that illegal content such as child pornography, or content that promotes terrorism should be freely available. It is to argue that an open Internet that is non-discriminatory and allows consumers to freely choose and consume content and services is vital to the progress of the economy and society. It is imperative that an open Internet is fostered and protected in Asia as governments and other stakeholders look towards reaping the benefits of a digital economy over the next decade.
This report has been written to be a point of reference for stakeholders across the public and private sectors involved in the digital economy and to facilitate discussions on and about the open Internet.

Download the report here

TRPC wishes to thank Netflix for funding this research. The report represents TRPC’s own views and TRPC remains responsible for the accuracy of information and views expressed in this report, which do not necessarily represent the views of Netflix or any other party.

Related Articles

Google Cloud Region: Driving Higher Economic Activity in the Saudi Arabian Economy

Google Cloud Region: Driving Higher Economic Activity in the Saudi Arabian Economy

Access Partnership estimated the economic impact arising from establishing a Google Cloud Region in Saudi Arabia. The analysis finds that...

15 Nov 2023 Reports
Launch of State of APEC Supply Chains with NCAPEC

Launch of State of APEC Supply Chains with NCAPEC

Access Partnership is proud to have developed “The State of APEC Supply Chains” report in partnership with the National Center...

13 Nov 2023 Reports
Economic Impact Analysis Report: Impact of Cloud Adoption for SMMEs in South Africa and Unlocking Benefits Through AWS

Economic Impact Analysis Report: Impact of Cloud Adoption for SMMEs in South Africa and Unlocking Benefits Through AWS

The 2030 Vision in South Africa’s National Development Plan (NDP) outlines that small, micro, and medium enterprises (SMMEs) should create...

13 Nov 2023 Reports
Economic Impact Report: Democratizing access to AI in Thailand with Google

Economic Impact Report: Democratizing access to AI in Thailand with Google

Digital technologies can increase productivity, open new markets, create job opportunities, and enhance global competitiveness, propelling economic growth for countries....

13 Nov 2023 Reports