This document provides updates on digital and technology policies from several countries in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It discusses expansions of contact tracing apps in India and Australia, incentives for the ICT sector in Indonesia, economic recovery plans involving digital technologies in Malaysia, and the launch of a subsidy scheme for 5G projects in Hong Kong. Similar updates are provided on initiatives relating to telemedicine, contact tracing apps, business regulations, and digital transformation plans in other countries across Asia and Oceania. The document also briefly outlines 5G license awards and launches in several markets, as well as internet governance developments in India, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

1. TRPC Digital Bytes
May 2020

2. COVID-19 UPDATES
• India is expanding its government-developed Aarogaya Setu contact tracing app to
include all feature phone users. This will allow feature phone users to be easily contacted
from a central helpline number.
India
• Australia launches its COVIDSafe Contact Tracing App, and accompanying draft special
legislation designed to protect information collected by the app from misuse. The app has
approximately 5.3 million downloads since its launch.
Australia
• Kominfo has announced incentives to help the Indonesian ICT sector deal with COVID-19.
These incentives provide relief on payments which were due in April, including Universal
Service Obligation (USO) contributions and Telecommunications Operating Fees (BHP).
Indonesia
TRPC – Digital Bytes May 2020

3. COVID-19 UPDATES
• Malaysia will soon implement a short-and-medium term economic recovery plan to help
the economy recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The plan aims to
support the restructuring, recovery and growth of SMEs, especially through digital
technology.
• The Alibaba group has announced that its electronic World Trade Platform (eWTP) at the
Kuala Lumpur International Airport will serve as one of three global hubs for the delivery of
medical goods to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
Malaysia
• OFCA has launched a subsidy scheme as part of the Anti-epidemic Fund to foster
subsidise 5G project costs and promote post- COVID-19 economic recovery through 5G-
enabled innovative technologies.
Hong Kong
TRPC – Digital Bytes May 2020

4. COVID-19 UPDATES
• The Philippines’ Department of Science and Technology has produced a telemedicine
device called RxBox in collaboration with universities and the Department of Health. The
device is intended to be deployed to rural areas, and allows doctors to diagnose illnesses
remotely.
Philippines
New Zealand
• New Zealand’s Ministry of Health plans to release a voluntary contact tracing app soon. The
Ministry is currently offering voluntary pre-registration to ensure that users of the app
submit up-to-date contact details.
• New Zealand’s Commerce Commission has released guidance outlining how it will assess
business collaboration during the coronavirus epidemic, and police the emergence of
anti-competitive behaviour between businesses.
TRPC – Digital Bytes May 2020

5. COVID-19 UPDATES
• Newly-announced “South Korean New Deal” govt project to prepare the country for a
post- COVID-19 environment, focuses on AI and data utilisation to develop “untact” (no-
contact) and digital services in areas including education and healthcare.
• South Korea’s MSIT identified three case studies showcasing best practices in addressing
the COVID-19 pandemic. These were SoftNet’s health monitoring app which allows for the
remote monitoring of vital signs, AIsupport’s provision of free teleconferencing solutions
to SMEs and Practine Technology’s public mask information API.
South Korea
Singapore
• Singapore’s Future Economy Council has established an Emerging Stronger Taskforce to
plan for and make recommendations for a post-COVID-19 Singapore. The taskforce’s first
tranche of recommendations are due to arrive in early 2021, and will focus on digital
transformation.
• The possibility of combining Singapore’s TraceTogether contact tracing app with other
commonly used apps such as the SafeEntry digital check-in app has been proposed, in
order to increase uptake on the app.
TRPC – Digital Bytes May 2020

6. COVID-19 UPDATES
Thailand
• The Thai government announced that it would soon launch a contact tracing app to
contain the spread of the coronavirus. It has indicated that only the data of at-risk groups
such as medical personnel, transport operators, migrant workers and entertainment venue
employees would be collected.
TRPC – Digital Bytes May 2020

7. 5G UPDATES
• China Mobile, Hutchison 3, HKT launched commercial 5G services on 1 Apr.
• NTT DOCOMO, KDDI, SoftBank all launch 5G services in Mar. Rakuten Mobile to postpone
Jun launch.
• True Move launched of its commercial 5G services on the 2600 MHz band.
• MIIT has instructed telcos to expedite their procurement of 5G equipment and will support
telcos in ramping up standalone (SA) 5G network coverage and capacity.
• Singtel, M1-Starhub JV win 5G licenses.
• 5G spectrum auction may be postponed again.
TRPC – Digital Bytes May 2020

8. INTERNET GOVERNANCE
• India’s Supreme Court has ordered that a special committee be formed to
determine if restrictions should be lifted in Jammu & Kashmir.
India
Indonesia
• Indonesia has delayed the implementation of Regulation 13/2019, covering ICT
classifications, until 31 January 2021.
• Indonesia implements Ministerial Regulation 48/2020, formally instituting a 10%
VAT on Digital Goods and Services.
Philippines
• The Digital Economy Taxation Act of 2020 (House Bill No. 6765) has been filed. If
passed, all services rendered electronically will be subject to VAT.
TRPC – Digital Bytes May 2020

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