New PwC-GSMA Research Underscores the Effect that the Growth of Connected Devices in Asia Will Have on Key Industry Sectors
The GSMA today announced that more than 1.5 billion1 new mobile connections will be added in Asia by 2017, fuelling the growth of the so-called ‘Connected Life’ by intelligently connecting people to everything around them via new and innovative mobile-connected products and services. A new report developed by PwC and the GSMA and released at Mobile Asia Expo 2013 reveals the transformative impact that connected devices and machine-to-machine (M2M) communications will have on the automotive, education, health and smart cities sectors in Asia over the next five years.
“The pervasive nature of connected devices is already transforming the way that people in the region live their lives,” said Michael O’Hara, Chief Marketing Officer, GSMA. “Over the next five years, Asia will experience an accelerated growth in connected cars, buildings, medical monitors and a whole range of connected consumer electronics and household appliances. However, continued collaboration between mobile operators and key players in vertical sectors is vital in further driving the disruptive and pioneering mobile services that will improve the lives of people in the region.”
By 2017, according to the new PwC-GSMA research, the growth of the Connected Life in Asia has the power to:
Add up to US $22 Billion in Economic Productivity in China by Reducing Traffic Congestion
The introduction of mobile-enabled vehicle telematics could significantly reduce traffic by reporting critical data such as location, driving speed and direction. Reducing congestion is a key challenge. For instance, Beijing experienced a traffic jam in 2012 that spanned over 100 kilometres and lasted more than 10 days and the average urban commute in the biggest Chinese cities is already around 80 minutes per day. Time saved by reducing traffic through mobile services will help Chinese commuters reclaim nearly two hours of their time every week and add as much as US $22 billion of economic productivity.
Help Power 10 Million Homes in India by Cutting Power Theft
Installing mobile-enabled smart meters in India could save enough electricity to power more than 10 million homes by 2017. India loses 24 per cent of the electricity it generates every year, costing its economy more than US $17 billion, with power theft accounting for around half of these losses. Mobile-enabled smart meters provide the wireless connectivity that allows utilities to detect and record theft.
Save US $10 Billion in Healthcare Costs in Japan through mHealth
By 2017, almost 28 per cent of the Japanese population is expected to be over 65 years old. The adoption of mobile technologies for remote monitoring, disease management, and preventive medicine for the elderly could reduce Japan’s healthcare spend by US $10 billion in 2017, resulting in sufficient savings to cover the medical expenses of one million senior citizens each year.
Reduce Education Costs for Students in South Korea by up to US $12,000 per Student
Technology, and in particular, mobile-enhanced learning in South Korea could complement traditional after-school private classes, saving students up to US $12,000 over their school lives. In 2012, South Korean parents spent around US $17.5 billion, or 1.5 per cent of GDP, on private after-school education. Replacing private English and maths classes with technology/mobile-enhanced learning for two days a week could help South Korean students save enough to cover half the cost of their higher education tuition.
