Digital Connectivity, The Future Infrastructure

The digital world is growing fast, and with it comes a lot of connectivity that requires better digital infrastructure. This includes new technologies that enable digital data transfer using physical mediums to almost anywhere in the world. However, while many private and public sectors are trying to improve digital connectivity, the lack of enough infrastructure remains a major challenge. 

This article discusses some of the innovative impacts of digital connectivity and how it's boosting sustainable digital businesses and reducing digital gaps in the blue and green economies. 

Digital connectivity infrastructure improving innovation
Innovation is mainly boosted by the right digital infrastructure and good connectivity. The current digital innovations are driven by better speeds, capacity, and affordability of data transmission and processing. These improvements have led to the development of new digital technologies, including chatbots, virtual reality (VR), artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, machine learning, and more. 

These digital developments play a big role in many sectors, from tourism to finance. However, this only means one thing – the availability of infrastructure for digital connectivity is key for advancing technology-based digital transformation. It is also an important component for increased digital efficiency and better innovations.  

Digital connectivity for sustainable digital business

With the rise of worldwide digital data demands, a lot of energy is required to produce, store and transmit data. This means that digital connectivity has to be more sustainable for businesses. The Asia-Pacific region – Indonesia to be precise, is among the world's fastest-growing digital hubs. Some of the latest technologies, including 5G, cloud computing, and AI, require better digital connectivity to become sustainable. 

Better digital infrastructure greatly improves energy conservation and reduces emissions. According to a report by the Bangkok Post, advanced digital infrastructure enables ICT technologies to consume only 2% of the world's energy and reduce carbon emissions by 20%. This improves digital businesses' connectivity and makes them more sustainable. 

Reducing the digital gap between blue and green economy

One of the leading drivers of lesser digital connectivity is the lack of enough competition – which brings a sense of monopoly in the market. With enough infrastructure and competition, prices for connectivity will be lower and result in a higher penetration rate. In addition, a lower population can also contribute to poor connectivity because the expensive deployment of digital infrastructure will result in less return. 

The blue economy has been among the most underutilized space in terms of digital connectivity. However, implementing marine spatial planning has enabled the creation of better digital infrastructure in the marine space to boost connectivity. Furthermore, the availability of data centers and Internet Exchange Points (IXPs) has also helped reduce the digital gap in the green economy. Additionally, good government policies and funding will enhance the availability of enough digital infrastructure and advance better connectivity worldwide. 

In summary, the demand for more data is rising, and better connectivity is needed to match the demand. But this can only be done with better digital infrastructure – which will also improve connectivity for sustainable digital businesses and reduce digital gaps in both blue and green economies.