Transforming ASEAN’s Digital Future with Net5.5G

Kuala Lumpur, 31 January 2025 – In an era where digital transformation is reshaping economies and industries, the ASEAN region is gearing up for a significant leap forward with the adoption of Net5.5G. The 5G ASEAN Industrial Development Guideline, released in October 2024, presents a comprehensive roadmap to harnessing the full potential of this next-generation network technology. As ASEAN nations strive to solidify their positions in the global digital economy, Net5.5G emerges as a pivotal enabler of next-generation network technology to enhance industrial growth and connectivity.

The 5G ASEAN Industrial Development Guideline, with an emphasis on Net5.5G, is a result of collaboration among experts in the telecommunications and digital policy space from the Asia Pacific IPv6 Council; the IPv6 Forum Malaysia; the Cybersecurity Research Centre, University of Science Malaysia; the Medical Informatics Department of RCSI & UCD Malaysia Campus (RUMC); and the Network Innovation and Development Alliance (NIDA).

The document opens with a Foreword by Prof. Emeritus Dr. Sureswaran Ramadass, Chairman of the Asia Pacific IPv6 Council and IPv6 Forum Malaysia, who underscores the transformative potential of 5G and Net5.5G. He highlights how these technologies will drive innovation, support IPv6 integration, and foster cross-sectoral collaboration in ASEAN.

Ashish Kapahi, CEO of the ASEAN Economic Forum, provides an economic perspective on the impact of 5G. He projects a potential GDP increase of up to $147 billion by 2025 as a result of enhanced productivity and digital services across industries like healthcare, manufacturing, logistics, and finance. The ASEAN Economic Forum’s role in aligning policy coordination among member states is crucial to ensuring seamless 5G deployment, especially with the deployment of Net5.5G as a complete wired and wireless 5G solution.

Dr. Gopinath Rao Sinniah, Chair of the Reference Panel for the Malaysian Technical Standards Forum Berhad, reinforces this vision by emphasizing the importance of a harmonized approach to 5G implementation. With IoT and cybersecurity being automatically enhanced with Net5.5G, his Preface highlights the necessity of regulatory coordination and a focus on security and privacy as ASEAN advances its digital infrastructure.

Net5.5G: A Step Beyond 5G

While 5G has already begun transforming industries with faster speeds and lower latency, Net5.5G represents the next evolutionary step. With advancements in network intelligence, automation, and ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC), Net5.5G aims to bridge the gap between current 5G capabilities and the emerging demands of AI-driven applications, smart cities, industrial automation, and autonomous systems.

Net5.5G, built on the foundation of IPv6 and next-generation networking technologies, offers key advantages such as:

• High-Quality 10GE Campus Network
• Super-Connectivity Converged IP Network
• Ultra-Efficient Data Centre Network

Economic and Industrial Impact in ASEAN

The ASEAN region stands to benefit immensely from 5G and Net5.5G, particularly in sectors that are poised for digital transformation. The guideline outlines several industries that will experience significant advancements with Net5.5G deployment:

Manufacturing

The introduction of smart factories, powered by real-time machine-to-machine communication and predictive maintenance, will drastically improve productivity. Manufacturers can integrate augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) tools for remote assistance, quality control, and workforce training.

Healthcare
With telemedicine, AI-driven diagnostics, and remote surgery becoming more viable, Net5.5G will enable superior healthcare services, particularly in remote areas. The low-latency and high-speed data transmission will ensure real-time communication between doctors and patients, improving accessibility and efficiency.

Agriculture
Smart farming solutions leveraging IoT sensors, drones, and AI-powered analytics will help optimize crop management, monitor livestock health, and improve food security. With ASEAN’s significantly large agricultural economy, advanced technologies like Net5.5G can drive precision agriculture and sustainable farming practices.

Education
Remote learning, immersive digital classrooms, and real-time collaboration will be enhanced through Net5.5G. With high-speed connectivity, students in rural and underserved regions can access high-quality educational resources, closing the digital divide.

The Road Ahead for ASEAN

The whitepaper strongly advocates for public-private partnerships (PPPs) to drive 5G, with a focus on Net5.5G adoption. Governments, technology providers, telecom operators, and academic institutions must work together to:

• Develop common standards and regulatory frameworks for seamless Net5.5G implementation.
• Invest in workforce training to ensure a skilled labour force capable of leveraging new technologies.
• Establish cross-border collaborations for knowledge sharing and best practices in 5G deployment.

The 5G ASEAN Industrial Development Guideline serves as a blueprint for ASEAN nations to leverage on 5G and Net5.5G for economic growth and digital inclusion. With the right investments in infrastructure, policy alignment, and workforce development, ASEAN can position itself as a global leader in next-generation connectivity. As Prof. Emeritus Dr. Sureswaran Ramadass reiterated in the Guideline, this initiative is not just about technological advancement, but about creating an inclusive digital ecosystem that empowers businesses, governments, and communities alike. By embracing such advanced technology like 5G and Net5.5G, ASEAN is laying the foundation for a future where connectivity is faster, smarter, and more transformative than ever before.