Blog — 28 Sep, 2026
Asia-Pacific optimizes finite spectrum: Strategies for network advancement
Asia-Pacific's wireless industry has seen constant frequency licensing allocation in recent years, strengthening the region's digital economy. According to S&P Global Market Intelligence Kagan, the region auctioned about 20,200 MHz of spectrum between year-end 2021 and the first half of 2026, driven by the time division duplex (TDD) bands that power 5G capacity.
Overview of spectrum allocation in Asia-Pacific
The APAC region has demonstrated strategic mobile spectrum allocation across low-, mid-, and high-frequency bands. Low-band spectrum shows extensive FDD deployment, with 2,193 MHz allocated, particularly concentrated in the 900 MHz band, providing essential coverage for rural and suburban areas. Meanwhile, the mid-band spectrum displays a diverse allocation pattern, with TDD deployment in the 3.5 GHz band emerging as the primary 5G enabler, complemented by substantial frequency division duplex (FDD) allocations in the 1.8 GHz and 2.1 GHz bands for LTE services. High-band (millimeter wave) spectrum, on the other hand, illustrates aggressive deployment with 18,686 MHz of TDD spectrum allocated, primarily in the 26 GHz band, positioning the region for ultra-high-speed 5G applications. The allocation strategy has enabled operators to optimize network performance across diverse use cases and geographic requirements.
Spectrum developments, refarming and network retirement
Recent spectrum developments across the region show a shift toward more targeted and efficient use of mobile frequencies. Kagan analysis identified the 3.5 GHz band as the emerging capacity layer for 5G services, including mobile broadband, 5G standalone (5G SA), and fixed wireless access (FWA), while 26/28 GHz spectrum is deployed selectively in dense urban areas, enterprise campuses, and industrial sites. Between 2021 and the first half of 2026, the region generated approximately $35.0 billion in total auction value, signaling strong government and carrier commitment to connectivity.
Markets are progressing at different speeds in retiring and repurposing legacy networks. Mature markets like Australia, Singapore, mainland China, Japan, and South Korea are refarming legacy 2G/3G spectrum and integrating it into low-band (700 MHz-900 MHz) and mid-band (1.5 GHz-3.5 GHz) frequencies to support LTE and 5G capacity. For example, Singapore's operators terminated all 3G services in July 2024, reallocating freed spectrum to 4G and 5G, while Singtel launched 5G+ service utilizing 700 MHz in February 2025.
Indonesia, the Philippines, and Bangladesh continue to rely heavily on legacy networks for voice calls and messaging. Cost, infrastructure constraints, and geography remain primary barriers to shutting down 2G/3G networks, with customers also facing increased device costs associated with LTE and 5G adoption. Meanwhile, Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar are now traversing their own 5G journeys, adding a longer-term focus on spectrum efficiency and future technology requirements.
While 5G build-outs continue across the region, several Asia-Pacific markets — including Australia, Japan, South Korea, mainland China, India, and Singapore — are already engaged in 6G research, initial network planning, and trial phases, though commercial deployment remains at an early stage with developing timelines.
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Mobile Investor is a regular feature from S&P Global Market Intelligence Kagan.
This article was published by S&P Global Market Intelligence and not by S&P Global Ratings, which is a separately managed division of S&P Global.