57pc users believe mobile internet can generate new income stream: Study

57 per cent of mobile internet users in Bangladesh believe that mobile devices can generate new sources of income, a study said.

Telenor Asia conducted a study titled “Digital Lives Decoded” across eight markets in South and Southeast Asia last year. The study was conducted among 8000 mobile internet users across Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Five key trends functioning as pivots for digital adaptation were underlined through the initial revelation. Subsequently, Telenor Asia unveiled the second part of their study which outlines transforming work modalities backed by mobile connectivity.

Improved productivity, enhanced career skills and tapping into new business opportunities are just some of the ways people in Asia are turning to their mobile phones to enhance their working lives, according to a study by Telenor Asia.

The second part of the ‘Digital Lives Decoded’ series unveils how people are using their mobiles to adapt to changing realities, as new work cultures emerge post-pandemic. The predominant message of has been that mobile connectivity can supercharge careers, but employers need to emphasize on improving workplace policies and practices.

In Bangladesh, 57 per cent were found to report a 20 per cent or more increase in productivity due to mobile device and technology, while for 26 per cent it was definitely over 50 per cent. While delineating positive impact of mobile device and technology on career and skills development, 69 per cent of Bangladeshi respondents reported to have found significant improvement. In terms of gender-based inputs, 73 per cent female and 67 per cent male respondents agreed to have gained significant improvement in their career and skills development. 57 per cent in here believes that new income streams can be afforded by mobile devices, with 54 per cent admitting its ability to help them access new job and career opportunities. 54 per cent Bangladeshi respondents believe they will use their mobile device significantly more in the next 06 to 12 months for work purposes. Furthermore, for 61 per cent of Bangladeshi respondents, privacy and security was the most significant barriers to fully utilizing mobile technology and/or its features to its fullest potential at work, while lack of trust in technology and lack of skills and knowledge were also mentioned by 49 per cent and 60 per cent, respectively.

“Our research points to mobile connectivity as an enabler of productivity, progress, flexibility and economic opportunity. Yet, we continue to see gaps in how this technology is used between urban and rural populations, large companies, and SMEs, between industries and even between C-suite executives and their junior counterparts”, said Jørgen Rostrup, Head of Telenor Asia, discussing the merit and objective of the study. “People remain highly concerned about their skills and ability to keep pace with advancing technology. The aspect of trust is also preventing people from realizing their full potential through mobile use in the world of work. As time spent working online increases, our survey findings can help identify the right tools and knowledge to close these gaps and improve digital work lives”, he added.