APAC: mobile internet user penetration 2025

In 2022, mobile internet user penetration in the Asia-Pacific region reached 49 percent, marking an increase from 45 percent in 2018. In contrast, Greater China had a mobile internet user penetration rate of 79 percent that same year.

Mobile internet usage in the APAC region

Mobile internet usage in the Asia-Pacific region saw a significant increase in recent years, transforming the way people access and interact with the online world. The number of mobile internet subscribers in APAC reached approximately 1.29 billion in 2022, marking a substantial growth compared to 2015, when there were slightly over 700 million mobile internet users in the region. This growth can be attributed to several factors, including the widespread adoption of smartphones. According to a 2022 survey, mobile internet usage in the Philippines averaged five and a half hours per day, while in Japan, the average time spent on mobile internet was approximately two hours. The increase in the number of mobile internet users has important consequences for businesses, as it influences how consumers behave, stimulates the growth of e-commerce, and accelerates digital transformation across different industries in APAC.

5G technology in Asia-Pacific

In the Asia-Pacific region, 5G technology has been rapidly expanding in recent years. In 2022, South Korea emerged as the region’s leader, with a reach score of 6.6 out of ten. However, some countries, such as Pakistan and Indonesia, still face challenges in terms of internet access. For instance, that same year, Indonesia's reach score for 5G technology was only 0.4 out of ten, indicating that users have access to 5G in fewer than one-twentieth of locations. Despite these gaps, social media, e-commerce, and digital media are thriving in the region.