M360 ASEAN 2026 Explores the Next Phase of Connectivity

SpaceX’s Starlink has pushed satellite connectivity closer to the mainstream, with direct-to-device services showing how quickly the boundary between terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks is changing.

That shift is part of a broader transformation in telecom. Network APIs are opening carrier capabilities to financial, automotive and digital services, while AI is reshaping manufacturing, healthcare and network operations.

These changes will be among the key issues discussed at M360 ASEAN 2026, hosted by the GSMA in Kuala Lumpur on September 9–10.

The event will bring together ministers, regulators, telecom operators, technology leaders and investors to examine how ASEAN can build trusted digital infrastructure, strengthen resilience and support the next phase of digital growth.

Key topics include digital trust, non-terrestrial networks, API-driven innovation, AI-enabled manufacturing and digital healthcare.

Senior executives from across the telecom and technology sectors will join the event.

Newly announced speakers include Nik Rizal Kamil, Group CEO of Axiata Group Berhad; Carl Cruz, President and CEO of Globe Telecom; Suresh Sidhu, CEO of EdgePoint Infrastructure; and Ethan Chen, CEO of HONOR Malaysia.

Google, Meta, AWS, Mastercard, Ericsson, Jio Platforms and ZTE will also be represented.

Participants include Anshul Goel, Android Partner Engineering Lead for APAC at Google; Pushpendra Singh, Global Director of Telco Messaging and API Partnerships at Meta; Keren Priyadarshini, Vice President for Healthcare, WWPS, APJ at AWS; and Aayush Bhatnagar, Chief Innovation Officer at Jio Platforms.

Sulyna Abdullah, Chief Strategic Planning and Special Advisor to the Secretary-General at the International Telecommunication Union, will also participate.

Exhibitors and sponsors include AALTO, Circles, Digital Virgo, Ericsson, Huawei, Maxis Berhad, NTT DOCOMO, Sino Telecom and Tuya Smart.

Digital trust will be one of the central themes of M360 ASEAN 2026.

As scams, fraud and cyber threats increase, governments and companies are under pressure to strengthen confidence in digital services.

Sessions will examine trusted infrastructure, online safety, economic continuity and societal resilience, as well as how digital trust can support broader participation in the digital economy.

Cross-border services and API-driven innovation will also be discussed as ASEAN economies look for ways to connect digital services across national markets.

Non-terrestrial networks, or NTN, will be another major focus.

As satellite connectivity moves beyond early commercial trials, discussions will examine hybrid connectivity models combining terrestrial mobile networks with satellite infrastructure.

Commercial, technical and regulatory requirements — as well as partnerships among mobile, satellite and technology providers — will be key topics.

Manufacturing is undergoing a similar transition.

The Manufacturing and Production Summit will focus on moving beyond pilot projects and turning digital investment into measurable industrial impact.

Sessions will explore data-driven operations, AI-enabled manufacturing and more integrated production environments.

Digital healthcare will also feature prominently.

Experts from healthcare providers, academia, policy and regulation will discuss how digital health services can move from individual use cases to wider deployment.

Participants from the Connected Health & Community Care Accelerator, including Global Health Connector, the GSMA and NUHS, will examine the practical requirements for scaling digital healthcare safely.

The discussions will address not only technology, but also regulation, interoperability, data protection and the infrastructure needed to support broader adoption.

M360 ASEAN 2026 comes as the telecom industry expands beyond traditional mobile connectivity.

Satellite networks, digital trust, APIs, AI manufacturing and healthcare are increasingly becoming part of the same infrastructure discussion.

The two-day event in Kuala Lumpur will offer a closer look at how governments, operators and technology companies are preparing for the next phase of ASEAN’s digital economy.