How is digital inclusion shifting from CSR to business strategy for telcos?

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Digital Inclusion Evolves into Core Business Strategy for Telcos

A significant majority of telecommunications leaders, 97%, now consider digital inclusion central to their business strategy. This shift is primarily driven by the imperative to bridge the digital divide, a goal cited by 71% of these leaders. The move also presents a strong alignment with government affordability initiatives, a benefit recognized by 92% of respondents. This evolution signifies that digital inclusion is no longer solely a corporate social responsibility (CSR) effort but a critical commercial strategy for expanding reach and engagement in emerging markets.
Bridging the Digital Divide as a Primary Catalyst

The need to connect the substantial population that remains offline is the principal force behind telcos' strategic reorientation towards digital inclusion. In Asia's fastest-growing digital economies, millions of potential customers are unable to access the internet due to a lack of affordable options. Specifically, over 600 million individuals in India, Vietnam, and the Philippines alone face this barrier. This vast untapped market represents a significant growth opportunity that telcos are increasingly prioritizing.
Affordability Remains a Key Obstacle to 4G Adoption

Despite progress in network infrastructure, such as 62% of operators having completed their 2G network shutdowns, affordability continues to hinder consumer transition to advanced networks like 4G. In the Philippines, 66% of telco leaders identify costly data plans as the main impediment. Vietnam and India echo this concern, with 57% and 51% of leaders, respectively, pointing to affordability as a major barrier. This challenge is compounded by the fact that a significant portion of users, such as 75% in India, still prefer feature phones due to cost, simplicity, and reliability, even as many aim to upgrade to smartphones.
Cloud-Based Solutions Offer a Path to Profitability and Inclusion

The development of cloud-powered solutions is emerging as a key enabler for achieving digital inclusion and addressing the "B-Gap," the affordability barrier preventing widespread internet access. Cloud Phone, a solution from CloudMosa, exemplifies this by transforming low-cost feature phones into internet-capable devices through cloud-based computing. A remarkable 91% of telco leaders believe such cloud-based technologies can effectively close the digital inclusion gap. Furthermore, 90% express interest in their potential to enhance user experience for low-income populations, with 85% finding the ability to run premium applications on affordable devices particularly attractive.

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How is digital inclusion shifting from CSR to business strategy for telcos?

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