Kuala Lumpur hosting M360 ASEAN 2026 will strengthen Malaysia’s telecom, AI and connectivity sectors, says Fahmi.
KUALA LUMPUR: Kuala Lumpur’s selection as the host city for M360 ASEAN 2026 on Sept 9 and 10 is expected to strengthen Malaysia’s position in the region’s telecommunications, artificial intelligence (AI) and connectivity sectors.
Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil said the GSM Association (GSMA)-organised event would bring together industry players, vendors, experts, investors, academics and government representatives from ASEAN countries.
“This is the first time the event will be held in Malaysia and also the first time it will be held in ASEAN. Kuala Lumpur’s selection as the host city is an honour for Malaysia.
“The event will also provide a platform for ASEAN countries to discuss the direction of the digital sector, including efforts to expand connectivity and harness AI responsibly,” he told reporters after attending a roundtable session held in conjunction with the announcement of M360 ASEAN 2026 and the launch of GSMA’s The Mobile Economy Asia Pacific 2026 report here today.
In a statement, GSMA said the issues to be discussed at M360 ASEAN 2026 were highlighted in the report, which projects that mobile technologies and services would contribute US$1.4 trillion (US$1=RM4.09) to the Asia-Pacific economy by 2030, a 40% increase from the current US$1 trillion.
According to the report, the region’s next phase of digital growth will be shaped not only by connectivity but also by how governments, operators and technology providers respond to four converging priorities.
The four priorities are the rapid rise of AI, declining digital trust, demand for more resilient digital infrastructure, and growing interest in digital sovereignty.
