Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — During the M360 Eurasia international forum held in Uzbekistan, GSMA CEO Vivek Badrinath shared his vision of the mobile industry’s role in developing the region’s digital economy and highlighted three key lessons drawn from the history of the legendary Silk Road.

“The history of this region is a history of connecting cultures, peoples, and ideas. The Silk Road linked East and West for more than 1,500 years, enabling the free flow of innovation and trade,” noted Vivek Badrinath. “Today, the mobile industry is doing the same — but in a digital format.”

The three main lessons from the Silk Road for digital Eurasia are as follows.

Connection is power.

“The Silk Road thrived because it connected countries and peoples. Today, nearly 80% of Eurasia’s population — 194 million people — use mobile networks. For every dollar invested in the mobile industry, six additional dollars of economic value follow through increased productivity and innovation,” emphasized Badrinath. At the same time, he pointed out a significant challenge — the “usage gap,” referring to the discrepancy in mobile internet usage. Around 80 million people in Eurasia live within coverage areas but do not use the internet, presenting a large potential for growth. Closing this gap could add US$415 billion to the region’s GDP by 2030.

Evolution drives innovation.

“The Silk Road evolved over time: new routes, technologies, and cities sustained its viability. Today, the mobile industry is developing just as dynamically. While 4G currently dominates Eurasia, 5G is gaining momentum — four countries in the region, including Uzbekistan, have already launched commercial 5G networks, and by 2030, more than 40% of connections will be 5G,” Badrinath explained. He stressed the importance of initiatives such as the GSMA Open Gateway and the role of artificial intelligence, which is becoming an integral part of mobile networks and businesses.

Trust ensures trade.

“Along the Silk Road, trust between merchants was a key factor for prosperity. In the digital age, trust forms the foundation for economic growth and interactions among companies, governments, and users,” the GSMA CEO stated. He cited recent measures by the Uzbek government — the removal of excise taxes on mobile services and the reduction of customs duties on equipment — which are expected to increase mobile internet penetration by 8% and contribute 1.3% to the country’s GDP by 2029.

Additionally, Badrinath emphasized that the successful rollout of 5G requires clear rules for frequency allocation and large-scale investments, with operators in the region planning to invest US$31 billion in infrastructure.

He noted that Eurasia’s digital future is a shared responsibility among governments, businesses, and users.

“Over the past 40 years, the mobile industry has connected 96% of the world’s population, unlocking new opportunities for millions of people,” Vivek Badrinath concluded. “If we learn the lessons of the Silk Road — connection empowers, evolution leads to innovation, and trust strengthens trade — we can unlock Eurasia’s full digital potential.”