Opensignal: Mobile connectivity and spectrum survey in Asia Pacific

Spectrum and network performance – there is a strong correlation

Previous Opensignal analysis found that greater spectrum capacity tends to improve the 4G and 5G experience. This was observed in both Asia Pacific and Latin America.

While some markets have made significant progress in 5G deployment, others are still in the early stages. According to GSMA Intelligence, in pioneer countries in the Asia-Pacific region, 5G is already well established, and by the end of 2024, the technology is expected to account for one-third or more of total mobile connections in countries such as Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore and South Korea, with adoption rates exceeding 60%.

The 3.5 GHz band is suitable for 5G rollout, but other bands are also important

The 3.5 GHz band is considered ideal for 5G as it offers a balance of speed, capacity, coverage and propagation, making it well suited for enhanced mobile broadband and fixed wireless access (FWA) applications.

On the other hand, several markets in the Asia-Pacific region have already deployed 5G services entirely or almost entirely in the 3.5GHz band.

While the 3.5GHz frequency is hailed as the key band for the successful deployment of 5G, various frequency bands can optimize the overall performance and improve the coverage of 5G networks.

Opensignal observed 5G readings at mmWave frequencies in Australia and Japan. 5G deployments at the national level in mmWave spectrum in these markets are still relatively small compared to other frequency bands.

The decline of legacy networks in Asia Pacific

As 5G matures, many Asia Pacific markets are retiring legacy 2G and 3G networks to repurpose spectrum.

Looking at the average time Opensignal smartphone users use their phones across generations, reliance on 2G and 3G connections remains high in some Asia-Pacific markets.

Users spent the most time on 2G networks in Cambodia, Papua New Guinea and Laos.

While the analysis focuses on smartphone users in the Asia Pacific region, users who still rely on older devices are even more reliant on 2G and 3G connections due to a lack of modern, affordable devices. According to GSMA Intelligence, approximately 4-6% of mobile device users in the Asia Pacific market are still using basic and feature phones.

Legacy spectrum bands used

Opensignal investigated three legacy frequency bands originally used for 2G and 3G services – 850MHz (3GPP 5), 900MHz (3GPP 8) and 2100MHz (3GPP 1). The 1800MHz band (3GPP 3) was also analyzed, which is used exclusively for 4G services in the Asia-Pacific markets observed.

Looking at the 850MHz band, it is the dedicated band for 3G services in Papua New Guinea, Thailand, Japan, New Zealand and Myanmar.

The 900MHz band was the only one found in some markets with a significant proportion of 2G readings. This band still plays an important role in providing 2G services in Laos, Cambodia, Timor-Leste, Vietnam and Myanmar.

3G sunset and future impact

Several markets in the Asia-Pacific region are planning to phase out 3G, with Australia and Singapore set to do so by November 2024, while markets such as Vietnam plan to shut down their 3G networks later in 2028.

In the long term, upgrading mobile networks to 4G and even 5G, reducing 2G and 3G services, and reallocating their mobile spectrum to newer mobile generations will bring many benefits to mobile users and the wider economy.