Mobile connectivity in Malaysia surpasses 100pct mark: Infobip
The report said mobile connectivity in Asia-Pacific has gone beyond saturation, with most markets recording penetration rates above 100 per cent.
Hong Kong leads at 264 per cent, followed by Singapore at 150 per cent, Taiwan region at 145 per cent, Japan and South Korea at 140 per cent each and China at 110 per cent.
It said in emerging markets such as Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam and India, penetration is at or above 110 per cent.
Infobip said this hyper-connectivity is reshaping consumer behaviour, with users seamlessly shifting between super-apps like LINE, WeChat, KakaoTalk, Zalo, Viber, and WhatsApp, sometimes even mid-conversation, while expecting brands to follow them across channels with instant, context-aware and culturally relevant responses.
"But while customers never switch off, many businesses are still struggling to meet them where they are.
"The IDC-backed research underpinning the Infobip report reveals that 43 per cent of Asia Pacific businesses cite improving customer experience as their single biggest operational challenge, hampered by siloed data, disconnected channel strategies, and the cost of delivering round-the-clock support across dozens of markets, languages and regulatory environments," it added.
Infobip said the report underscores the rising importance of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies.
This includes generative AI, agentic AI and conversational AI, in helping brands streamline operations and provide connected, real-time experiences at every customer touchpoint.
Infobip vice president revenue APAC Velid Begovic said Asia-Pacific is not only mobile-first but also mobile-saturated, with people regularly using multiple messaging apps and expecting brands to keep up without delays or repetition.
He added that outdated systems and basic chatbots without customer history cannot meet these expectations.
AI has now become essential for delivering the highly personalised experiences customers demand, he said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
7 hours ago
- The Star
Retired teacher lost RM467,237 to investment scam, bogus fund recovery firm
JOHOR BARU: A retired teacher was duped into losing RM467,237 after joining a non-existence investment scheme and legal services. Johor Baru South OCPD Asst Comm Raub Selamat said the 60-year-old woman came across an advertisement of 'Advance Fin Advisory' investment company. He said the victim was at her home in Taman Puteri Wangsa, Ulu Tiram, when she saw the advertisement on Facebook on June 17, 2025. 'The victim was attracted to the 94% profit promised within a day as advertised,'' ACP Raub said in a statement. The victim, he said, contacted the suspect and was added to a WhatsApp group and taught how to start trading the shares. ACP Raub said the victim made 20 transactions to different bank accounts from June 17 until Jun 26, 2025, amounting to RM 286,377. 'The victim was directed to make additional payments when she wanted to withdraw the profits,'' he said. Unable to withdraw the profits the victim sought assistance from a legal firm from an advertisement on Facebook. She then contacted an individual who claimed to be the representative of the 'Benjamin Lee & Co' legal firm. 'The victim was taught on how to recover the profits but had to pay RM180,900 as legal fees,'' he said, adding the victim made seven transactions into seven different banks from July 4 to Aug 2, 2025. He said the victim only realised she was cheated when asked to bank in more money. The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property. ACP Raub reminded the public to be alert and careful especially in matters involving financial transactions or job offers when dealing with unknown persons. The public can go to Semak Mule, CCID Scam Response Centre at 03-26101559 or 03-26101599. Scam victims are advised to call the National Scam Response Centre at 997 to report their case.
New Straits Times
10 hours ago
- New Straits Times
New MCMC framework must give users clearer opt-out options, expert says
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has launched a two-week public consultation on a proposed Regulatory Framework for Unsolicited Commercial Electronic Messages (UCEM), or spam, under the new Section 233A of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998. Open until Aug 27, the consultation seeks feedback from industry players, civil society organisations, consumer groups, ministries, enforcement agencies, academics and the public. The framework takes a multi-platform approach that addresses how spam is sent today, including via SMS, email, messaging apps such as WhatsApp and Telegram, and social media. Key measures include requiring consent before sending commercial messages, clearer sender identification and simple, no-cost opt-out options for recipients. It also proposes banning address-harvesting software, bulk-messaging tools and tactics such as dictionary attacks. Breaches could trigger enforcement action or legal proceedings under Section 233A. Universiti Malaya computer systems & technology associate professor Dr Saaidal Razalli Azzuhri said the central value of Section 233A is that "it expands the scope beyond existing laws by covering all forms of unsolicited digital messages, not just email spam, including social messaging platforms and SMS." He added that the regulation "must be designed to handle spam across SMS, email, messaging apps and social media in one comprehensive approach." While the details will be shaped by public feedback, Saaidal expects that companies and individuals may need to get clearer consent, provide opt-out options and be transparent about their messaging practices. FRAMEWORK DETAILS Under the proposed framework, consent would be recognised in two forms, express and implied consent. Express consent covers clear, affirmative permission. For example, a tick-box or registration to receive marketing. Implied consent may arise from an existing customer relationship. Regardless of consent type, senders must identify themselves clearly in every message, provide valid contact details and include a free, functional opt-out that lets recipients withdraw permission at any time. The framework also outlines mandatory opt-out mechanisms in every UCEM, and forbids sending messages without identification or a working unsubscribe route. On consumer protection, Saaidal said well-designed rules could "limit unsolicited contact, require consent, and impose penalties for scams or misleading content." He described responsible digital marketing as "sending only to consenting users, providing easy unsubscribes, and being honest in content (common sense)." "Possible responsible practices can include sending only to consenting users, letting them unsubscribe easily, and being honest when presenting content, which is down to common sense," he said. To avoid restricting freedoms, he stressed safeguards so that anti-spam measures do not curtail lawful communication. "Safeguards like clear definitions and clear appeal processes ensure it targets spam without silencing legitimate speech," he explained. IMPLICATIONS FOR USERS AND BUSINESSES A major focus of the consultation is giving the public more control. "Users must be given simpler ways to report and block spam through standardised tools or platforms," Saaidal said. Technologically, day-to-day filtering will hinge on "advanced filtering systems, AI detection and updated blocklists or whitelists" that can spot abusive campaigns while letting legitimate messages through. On whether Malaysia has what it takes to carry out effective enforcement, he said: "Malaysia has a growing tech infrastructure and skilled talent pool, but will need continuous investment and training across industry, government and academia to enforce the rules effectively." For industry players, the proposal aims to separate permission-based marketing from unsolicited blasts. Saaidal expects e-commerce platforms, telecommunications companies and banks to tighten data practices, refine marketing lists and improve user-consent management. SMEs, he said, "may face extra compliance costs but can benefit from higher trust and engagement with customers, which is a huge thing for business nowadays." In the longer term, he said the framework must appear flexible enough to adapt, but will require periodic updates to keep pace with technologies like AI marketing. MCMC said it has already engaged key stakeholders in sessions held in June to help balance consumer protection with business needs, and is now widening the lens to include the public's experiences, from nuisance promotions to more serious phishing attempts. The commission encourages Malaysians to review the consultation paper and submit views by Aug 2, 5pm, noting that feedback will inform the drafting of subsidiary rules and guidance to ensure clear, enforceable standards. MCMC website during the consultation window.
The Star
15 hours ago
- The Star
Durian diplomacy: China welcomes Cambodia's first direct air shipments of fruit
The first Cambodian durians arrived in China's central province of Henan by air over the weekend, marking the official launch of a direct air corridor for fresh fruit between the two nations. The two-tonne shipment was transported using cold chain logistics in just four hours, allowing Chinese consumers to enjoy the fruit as if it were freshly harvested, according to a statement released Monday on the Chinese Embassy in Cambodia's official WeChat account.
