Jakarta, 9 July 2025 – In an era of rapid digital transformation, the need for new data sources that are faster, more accurate, and relevant is becoming increasingly crucial for evidence-based decision-making. Recognizing this urgency, the Regional Hub on Big Data and Data Science for Asia and the Pacific organized the Executive Training on Mobile Positioning Data (MPD) for Official Statistics, held from 8 to 10 July 2025 at the Gran Melia Hotel Jakarta.

The event was officially opened by Acting Principal Secretary of BPS-Statistics Indonesia, Edy Mahmud, and United Nations Resident Coordinator in Indonesia, Gita Sabharwal, followed by a keynote address from Acting Deputy for Statistical Methodology and Information, Pudji Ismartini. This training is part of a broader initiative to strengthen the capacity of countries in the Asia-Pacific region to adopt innovative approaches to official statistics through the utilization of big data. The event brought together stakeholders from diverse backgrounds, including representatives from National Statistical Offices (NSOs), tourism ministries, and mobile network operators (MNOs) from the Philippines, Cambodia, and Timor-Leste.

Understanding Mobile Positioning Data (MPD)

During the first two days, panel sessions featured speakers from Indonesian mobile network operators, government agencies, and data governance experts. The main focus of the training was Mobile Positioning Data (MPD) — a form of big data derived from interactions between mobile devices and cellular network infrastructure, such as signals generated during calls, messaging, or internet usage. MPD offers a unique advantage in capturing human mobility across time and space with high precision, making it a valuable data source for various statistical indicators, particularly in the sectors of tourism, transportation, and population mobility.

In Indonesia, the use of MPD has already demonstrated tangible results. Through collaboration between BPS-Statistics Indonesia and mobile network providers, MPD has been successfully utilized to enhance tourism statistics, enabling more real-time measurement of both foreign and domestic tourist visits. This best practice was shared with other participating countries to encourage replication and adaptation within their own national contexts.

Discussions also delved into the multiple dimensions of utilizing MPD, ranging from technical aspects such as data architecture and anonymized data processing, to governance issues such as privacy, data protection regulations, and the vital role of national policy frameworks in facilitating public-private collaboration. Speakers emphasized that the effective use of MPD for official statistics requires clearly defined roles, transparent mechanisms, and strong ethical principles.

Addressing Challenges and Building Capacity

Participants enthusiastically shared insights and questions regarding similar challenges in their respective countries, including limited technical capacity, lack of specific regulatory frameworks, and communication gaps between NSOs and MNOs. These exchanges served as a platform for collaborative learning and fostered a shared understanding of the need to build an inclusive, secure, and sustainable data ecosystem.

The training did not stop at the conceptual level. As a concrete step to strengthen technical capabilities, participants from each country will be invited to attend a Short Course on MPD Processing and Analytics, scheduled for September 2025 in Bali. This intensive program will equip participants with practical skills, from cleaning and processing raw MPD to techniques for data visualization and integration into national official statistics frameworks.

Real-World Implementation and Future Collaboration

To provide direct insights into the practical implementation of MPD in government settings, the training concluded with field visits to two key locations: BPS-Statistics Indonesia and the Telkomsel Command Center. At BPS, participants observed how MPD is processed and used to compile statistics on tourism and mobility. At Telkomsel, they received an in-depth explanation of data infrastructure, anonymous data aggregation methods, and data security and ethics protocols.

These visits served as a valuable opportunity for cross-sector learning, reinforcing the importance of long-term partnerships between statistical institutions and mobile network operators. From the government’s side, there is a need for technical understanding and adaptive policy-making, while from the industry side, transparency, compliance, and openness are critical to supporting national development goals.

Toward a Data-Driven Asia-Pacific

Through this training series, a collective awareness is expected to emerge across the Asia-Pacific region regarding the importance of transforming national statistical systems through the use of non-traditional data sources. MPD stands as a clear example of how commercially generated big data can provide immense value in supporting data-driven development and public policy.

Beyond mere knowledge transfer, this training represents a foundational step in building a strong, inclusive, and ethical cross-country and cross-sector collaborative ecosystem. With a spirit of sharing best practices and fostering mutual trust, countries across Asia and the Pacific can collectively address data challenges in the digital age, advancing toward official statistics that are more adaptive, responsive, and relevant to society.