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 3

GLOBAL MOBILE TRENDS

In context This report is the latest edition of

the Global Mobile Trends series.
5G network innovation

Consumer 5G
Much has changed since our first
publication in 2015. Technology has
Enterprise 5G: private wireless networks advanced and companies have come
Enterprise 5G: cloud, edge and automation
and gone.

Enterprise 5G: the API economy As always, the purpose is simple:

The generative telco
understand the biggest and most
important things happening in
AI and the telco of the future telecoms and the broader TMT
eSIM
industries, and explain what they
mean for people, companies and
Satellites and NTNs: commercialisation governments.
Satellites, NTNs and 5G: integration and operations

Satellites and NTNs: future roadmap

Energy-efficiency strategies

Circularity
 4

GLOBAL MOBILE TRENDS

5G network innovation

Consumer 5G
In context
Enterprise 5G: private wireless networks

Enterprise 5G: cloud, edge and automation

Enterprise 5G: the API economy

The generative telco

AI and the telco of the future

eSIM

Satellites and NTNs: commercialisation

Satellites, NTNs and 5G: integration and operations

Satellites and NTNs: future roadmap

Energy-efficiency strategies

Circularity
 5

Learning from the last 10 years

• AI is a new era. Looking back

10 years, the most important 6%
technological change is also the most Operator revenues ($ billion) Revenue growth (%)

recent. In the same mould as the PC

$1,078
and smartphone eras before it, AI is a 5%
new era post ChatGPT in 2022.
• Uncertainty is the new normal. $869
4%
The pandemic and disruptions in
technology and politics suggest
unanticipated events are not so
3%
rare. We must now expect the • • • • • Bitcoin hits
•

unexpected. Facebook
buys
Donald Trump
becomes
Starlink launches
•
Pandemic ChatGPT launched
•
all time high
•
WhatsApp US president 5G begins Russia–Ukraine Donald Trump
• New technology means new 2% war breaks out becomes
US president
business models. 5G, AI, satellites
and crypto are new platforms.
Importantly, they have changed the 1%
competitive playing field.
• The same goals persist. Whatever
0%
the economic and geopolitical
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
dynamics, the goals for operators are
still ultimately to remain relevant and
-1%
drive a renewed growth story.

Source GSMA Intelligence

 6

GLOBAL MOBILE TRENDS

In context

5G network
innovation
Consumer 5G

Enterprise 5G: private wireless networks

Enterprise 5G: cloud, edge and automation

Monetisation by design
Enterprise 5G: the API economy

The generative telco

AI and the telco of the future

eSIM

Satellites and NTNs: commercialisation

Satellites, NTNs and 5G: integration and operations

Satellites and NTNs: future roadmap

Energy-efficiency strategies

Circularity
 7

GLOBAL MOBILE TRENDS

5G network innovation

News highlights Why it matters

More than half of mobile connections will be on 5G by 2030

5G launch plans enter a new, advanced era

5G SA deployments surge

5G-Advanced unlocks opportunities for operators

Delivering value through innovation is key to realising 5G’s potential

Considerations for the year ahead 

 5G network innovation 8

News highlights from the last year

• Operator launches of new 5G products and services • Regulators have looked to alternative initiatives to fund
continue, aiming to help realise the full potential of the investment in 5G networks, supporting operators by
technology for the industry and users. sharing the cost of deployment and (in some areas)
investing in rural coverage, with the aim of enabling
improved 5G access for consumers.

MAY JUNE JUNE AUGUST NOVEMBER

Ghana awards shared Malaysia shifts from 5G China Telecom and ZTE FCC’s 5G Fund reignites TIM Brazil uses network
network infrastructure single wholesale network to launch blueprint for plans for rural network slicing on 5G public network
company a 10-year 5G dual-network model 5G-Advanced smart city expansion during Porsche Cup Race
licence parks
Operators agreed to acquire The FCC will use a $9 billion During the event, TIM used 5G
Ghana awarded the Next-Gen stakes in Digital Nasional China Telecom and ZTE have fund to bring 5G to rural areas, network slicing on a public
Infrastructure Company a 5G Berhad, embracing a dual 5G developed a 5G-Advanced prioritising areas lacking network for real-time video
licence. The consortium of local network with the aim to expand technology blueprint for smart coverage and incentivising open transmission. The event’s
firms will invest $145 billion 5G use across industries and parks that looks to integrate RAN technology. infrastructure was supported by
over three years to deploy the among SMEs. technology, nature and 18 5G antennas.
SEPTEMBER
shared network. humanistic elements.
JUNE DECEMBER
Path to 5G clears in
MAY Hong Kong promotes 5G JULY Verizon and Nvidia to
Türkiye with spectrum
Elisa Finland offers development and offers free Airtel India re-farms auction date set power AI workloads on 5G
world-first 5G SA-focused spectrum to four operators spectrum to launch 5G SA private networks
broadband subscriptions Turkish authorities confirmed
Hong Kong assigned 1200 MHz Airtel is refarming its mid- that the frequencies for the 5G Verizon and Nvidia have
Elisa’s 5G standalone of 5G spectrum at no cost to band spectrum to improve 5G tender will be available. The partnered for a 5G private
subscriptions for businesses four mobile network operators coverage, service and speeds. auction is planned for 2025, with network AI solution with
enable reliable data connections to expand their networks and This made Airtel the first use expected to begin in 2026. mobile edge compute. Nvidia AI
for tasks such as AI and enhance capacity. network in India to run on both Enterprise enables real-time,
automation. This can help 5G standalone (SA) and non- on‑premises AI for businesses.
improve latency and battery life standalone modes.
for devices.

Source Company press releases

 5G network innovation 9

Why it matters in 2025

A catalyst for connectivity, innovation and economic growth

Widespread deployment and 5G-Advanced: Economic impact and

market maturity the bridge to 6G global connectivity
5G rollout is widespread. More 2025 marks a turning point. A more inclusive economy.
than half the world’s population is Operators are moving from The combination of advanced
now covered by 5G – a milestone pilot projects to commercial connectivity and innovative pricing
for global connectivity. 5G-Advanced launches. Through strategies can create a more
a focus on sustainability, AI inclusive digital economy.
5G standalone (5G SA) gains
integration and enhanced
momentum. 5G SA lays the Spurring entrepreneurship.
consumer experiences,
foundation to deliver high- Fixed wireless access (FWA),
5G-Advanced ensures the mobile
performance, low-latency services quality-on-demand (QoD) APIs
industry remains at the cutting
that will drive innovation in sectors and portable, private 5G networks
edge.
such as manufacturing, healthcare are helping unlock opportunities
and logistics. for SMEs, fostering innovation and
entrepreneurship in previously
unconnected regions.
 5G network innovation 10

More than half of mobile connections will be on 5G

by 2030
• Europe is seeing a surge in 5G • GCC countries see increased 5G • Competition continues in the US market.
connections. Germany and the UK lead deployment. In Saudi Arabia, Vision Competition is contributing to high
in 5G adoption. Deployment of 5G SA is 2030’s government-led investments 5G adoption levels. Operators are now
the next phase. have increased 5G adoption. Operators focused on mid-band 5G deployment to
are now preparing for 5G-Advanced. enhance the 5G experience.

5G adoption growing around the world

5G as a percentage of total connections for the top 20 markets by 5G size (connections) in 2030

100%

80%

60%

40%

20%

0% Saudi Germany UK US Japan France China Italy Thailand Brazil Iran Türkiye Mexico India Vietnam Philippines South Russian Indonesia Nigeria
Arabia Africa Federation
2024 2030

Note: data as of February 2025 Source GSMA Intelligence

 5G network innovation 11

5G launch plans enter a new, advanced era

5G launches have slowed, with more 5G commercial launches are a global story
than half the world’s population
already covered by a 5G network as
of Q4 2024.
• In pioneer markets across East
Asia, GCC and North America,
investments in 5G have shifted
to 5G SA and 5G-Advanced, with
operators focused on the consumer
experience and AI integration.
• In North America, operators
began to focus on nationwide 5G
SA investment in 2024. AT&T and
Verizon plan to further expand their
5G SA deployments in 2025.
• In Latin America, Brazil has
emerged as a leader in 5G adoption
and innovation in the region. The
country’s rapid 5G rollout is being
driven by early spectrum allocation
and strong government support.

Live commercial 5G network Planned commercial 5G network

Data correct to 30 September 2024. For updates, see gsmaintelligence.com Source GSMA Intelligence
 5G network innovation 12

5G SA deployments surge
• Asia Pacific and Europe lead on Operators move forward with 5G SA network deployments and plans
5G SA rollouts. Some 145 operators Number of operators that have stated a commitment/timeline or conducted a trial (planned) or announced a 5G SA
from 63 markets globally have commercial deployment (live).
either launched or demonstrated
intent to launch 5G SA networks. 70
Asia Pacific leads on 5G SA
63
launches, followed by Europe. The
two regions account for 65% of live 60
commercial SA networks.
• Operators look to leverage AI.
Operators in China are advanced 50
in their integration of AI into 5G
SA networks to boost network 41
management. We are likely to 40
continue to see further use of
AI among operators that have
launched 5G SA, to optimise
operations.
30

20 16

10 9 9

5 2

0 Europe Asia Pacific MENA North America Latin America Eurasia Sub-Saharan Africa

Data correct to Q3 2024. For updates, see gsmaintelligence.com Source GSMA Intelligence
 5G network innovation 13

5G-Advanced unlocks opportunities for operators

• Maximising 5G’s potential for enterprises and 5G-Advanced tops network transformation business priorities
consumers. By focusing on commercialisation, vertical
for operators
integration, consumer experiences and sustainability, the
How important are the following business priorities as part of your current
industry can maximise the transformative potential of network transformation strategy?
5G-Advanced while preparing for seamless evolution to
6G. 5G-Advanced

• Rising up the business agenda. According to the 49% 39%

GSMA Intelligence Network Transformation Survey,
5G-Advanced topped business priorities in 2024,
overtaking open networking and automation, which Cloud and IT technologies
led in 2023. This highlights the growing importance of
advanced 5G technologies in driving innovation and 37% 44%
addressing emerging connectivity needs.

• Supporting B2B revenues. Designed to cater to Network API exposure

enterprise-specific requirements, 5G Advanced – along
with 5G SA – is key to supporting business-to-business 35% 46%
(B2B) revenue streams. Significant investments in 5G
networks are laying the groundwork to meet vertical- Network and service automation
specific demand in industries such as manufacturing,
healthcare and logistics.
41% 37%
• Not just an enterprise priority. Some 58% of operators
rank 5G-Advanced among their top three priorities for Artificial intelligence (including generative AI)
consumer applications. These include enhanced mobile
broadband, extended reality (XR) and high-definition
35% 41%
media streaming.

Extremely important Very important

N=100 Source GSMA Intelligence Operators in Focus: Network Transformation Survey 2024
 5G network innovation 14

Delivering value through innovation is key to realising

5G’s potential
• Operators redefine pricing strategies. By focusing on Users are willing to pay more for 5G – but how much more?
performance, flexibility and bundled services, operators Average uplift of smartphone users willing to pay more for a 5G subscription
are redefining pricing strategies to unlock new revenue
streams and meet evolving consumer demand. Delivering 10%
seamless, high-quality experiences requires granular
network capability assurance, which can be complex.
However, overcoming these challenges is crucial to
capitalise on 5G’s monetisation potential.
8%
• Speed-based pricing emerges as a tool to monetise 5G.
By offering tiered options based on maximum speed,
operators can cater to both budget-conscious users
and those willing to pay for premium performance. This
model can boost ARPU but also help manage network 5%
traffic during peak times, ensuring a smoother user
experience.

• 5G enables operators to monetise enhanced

experiences. For instance, gamers and streamers may 4%
pay extra for guaranteed low latency or higher resolution
streaming. This experience-driven approach appeals to
consumers who value performance and helps operators
justify premium pricing.
2%
• Operators look to reinforce the value of upgrading. By
aligning pricing strategies with 5G-Advanced features
such as ultra-low latency and higher throughput,
operators can ensure that higher spend translates into
meaningful improvements for users. 0%
China US South Korea Germany UK Italy France Japan
2022 2023

Source GSMA Intelligence Global Consumer Survey, December 2023

 5G network innovation 15

Considerations for the year ahead

The role of 5G-Advanced in early The continued focus on The accelerating transition to
preparations for 6G sustainability 5G SA
• As discussions around 6G intensify, • Sustainability will remain a priority • The transition to 5G SA networks will
operators and industry stakeholders as operators adopt energy-efficient accelerate as operators recognise
will begin laying the groundwork for technologies to lower costs and the need to unlock 5G’s full potential.
its development. Research initiatives carbon footprints. AI-driven network By the end of 2025, additional
will shape the vision for 2030 and optimisation can reduce power markets will announce SA rollouts,
beyond. In the interim, 5G-Advanced consumption by managing traffic with operators focusing on enhanced
will serve as a testing ground during low-usage periods. 5G will enterprise use cases. Non-standalone
for innovations such as AI-native also enable green applications, (NSA) networks will continue to play
networking and edge computing. For powering smart cities with energy- a vital role, especially in emerging
example, edge AI can process data efficient systems. Governments and markets, as a cost-effective way to
closer to users, enabling real-time private stakeholders will leverage 5G introduce 5G services, bridging the
applications in industries such as to support climate goals, including gap to full SA adoption.
autonomous vehicles and immersive emissions monitoring.
virtual environments.
 16

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 17

GLOBAL MOBILE TRENDS

In context

5G network innovation

Consumer 5G
Enterprise 5G: private wireless networks

Enterprise 5G: cloud, edge and automation

New experiences
Enterprise 5G: the API economy

The generative telco

powered by
AI and the telco of the future

eSIM
innovative devices
Satellites and NTNs: commercialisation

Satellites, NTNs and 5G: integration and operations

Satellites and NTNs: future roadmap

Energy-efficiency strategies

Circularity
 18

GLOBAL MOBILE TRENDS

Consumer 5G

News highlights Why it matters

5G FWA is set for unprecedented growth in 2025

Video content remains a key use case for 5G

Gaming is a leading 5G use case

5G B2C monetisation is in focus for operators, with different

approaches available

5G compatibility is growing in importance in consumer devices

Considerations for the year ahead 

 Consumer 5G 19

News highlights from the last year

• 5G is enabling new consumer experiences – from fast • Device innovation is keeping pace to support
and reliable home broadband (FWA) to ultra-high- 5G-enabled experiences, and 5G itself is helping devices
definition video streaming and cloud gaming on the go. evolve by supporting genAI integration.

FEBRUARY MARCH JUNE SEPTEMBER OCTOBER

AIS announces Living China Unicom and Huawei T-Mobile US claims 5G EE claims AI network lead Dito launches new Dito Home
Network win the GSMA GLOMO award RedCap first with TCL dongle with 5G standalone launch WOWFI
for 5G live streaming service launch
AIS introduced the Living EE claimed its standalone Dito is offering Dito Home
Network initiative, which China Unicom’s service allows T-Mobile, in conjunction with TCL, network is the UK’s first to offer WOWFi as a prepaid service. The
allows advanced segmentation users to enjoy a live streaming launched its first device running uninterrupted outdoor coverage, service uses its 5G SA network
strategies for 5G tariffs, to better experience and provides an on RedCap, the 5G for wearables enabling better call and data and enables speeds of up to 100
satisfy customer lifestyles. example of how to monetise 5G and IoT. quality as well as improving Mbps for home users.
uplink bandwidth. gaming and video streaming
FEBRUARY JULY performance. OCTOBER

ZTE, China Mobile, APRIL Warner Bros. Discovery to

Verizon offers customers OCTOBER
Qualcomm and Sky Limit Vi launches ‘Cloud Play’ access to Netflix and launch Max in 7 new markets
test 5G-Advanced multi-user mobile cloud gaming Qualcomm announces new in Southeast Asia, Taiwan
Peacock annual offer
concurrency XR gaming Snapdragon 8 Elite and Hong Kong
Vi Cloud Play allows gamers The content bundle gives
services Qualcomm’s latest high-end
to play instantly without Verizon Mobile and Home Max will offer a choice of
downloading multiple games. It Internet (FTTB/P and 4G/5G smartphone SoC enables faster different plans, including
The companies collaborated to
offers high-quality games with FWA) subscribers signing up to performance and offers on- mobile-only plans in Indonesia
successfully verify multi-user
rich graphics, and supports the annual Peacock Premium device support for multimodal AI. and Philippines and via select
concurrency XR services based
multiplayer gaming. plan a year of Netflix Premium It also has an X80 5G modem-RF providers in Indonesia, Malaysia,
on 5G-Advanced technology.
free of charge. It is available chip. Philippines and Thailand.
through +play, Verizon’s content
subscription hub.

Source Company press releases, Mobile World Live

 Consumer 5G 20

Why it matters in 2025

A new stage in consumer 5G

5G adoption growing; Consumers are willing Operators are driving

monetisation matters more to pay extra for 5G adoption through more
than ever affordable technology
Adoption continues to grow. Positive news for 5G B2C 5G RedCap will broaden FWA
By the end of 2025, there will monetisation. Consumers looking adoption. The emergence of
be around 2.7 billion 5G mobile to upgrade to 5G are willing on 5G RedCap enables operators
connections globally. average to pay 5% extra compared to target consumers with more
to what they pay for their current affordable FWA services.
5G B2C monetisation is crucial in
4G subscription.
2025. For most operators, around 5G users are more avid consumers
70% of revenues comes from the A mix of monetisation strategies of content. They are more likely to
consumer segment. is required. These will range from add gaming, music and video to
traditional service bundling to their mobile subscription, offering
newer approaches, such as speed- operators a cross-sell opportunity.
based tariffs.
 Consumer 5G 21

5G FWA is set for unprecedented growth in 2025

• 5G fixed wireless access (FWA) connections to 5G FWA connections growth will reach a new high in 2025
exceed 30 million. For the forecast countries Global 5G FWA connections (million)*
with existing commercial deployments, 5G FWA
connections are set to reach 32.4 million by the
32.4
end of 2025.
• Nearly 10 million net additions in 2025.
Additions will be up from 8.7 million in 2024,
due to increased coverage as operators deploy
in more locations. This can partly be attributed
to new spectrum bands and the launch of 5G
SA networks, which enable deployment of 5G 22.7
RedCap services.
• The US remains the leading 5G FWA market.
With 14.7 million connections (up from 11.6
million in 2024), the US will be the largest 5G
FWA market. However, its share of global 5G
14.0
FWA connections will decrease from 51% at the
end of 2024 to 45% by the end of 2025.
• India will nearly double its share of global 5G
FWA connections. It will be the second largest
market, with 5G FWA connections increasing from 7.1

2.3 million to 6.1 million during 2025, boosting its

share of global 5G FWA from 10% to 19%.
0.4 2.1

2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025

* Global defined as GSMA Intelligence’s 36 core Source GSMA Intelligence Q2 2024 fixed broadband forecasts
forecast markets, which include more than
90% of global fixed broadband connections.
 Consumer 5G 22

Video content remains a key use case for 5G

• Video is an important 5G use case. Ultra-high-definition 5G users are more likely than 4G users to take a bundle with
(UHD) content is the second most popular use case
video streaming / live sports
for 5G, cited as very/extremely appealing by 40% of
Percentage of contract mobile subscribers interested in adding streaming video / live sports to contract
consumers in the GSMA Intelligence consumer survey. subscriptions. Aggregate figures for 12 countries analysed.
Operators that launch 5G FWA services can capitalise
on this by bundling pay-TV and/or OTT video, mirroring 5G users
traditional fixed broadband bundles.

• 5G users are more avid video consumers. In the survey,

31%
47% of 5G users claimed they watched paid-for video
content on their phones, 18 percentage points (pp) higher
than the figure for 4G users. The trend is similar across
all countries surveyed, though with significant variation.
Respondents in the UAE are the most avid watchers, 28%
while those in Germany are least likely to do so.

• 5G users are more likely to add streamed video services

and/or live sports to subscriptions. This represents an 4G users
opportunity for operators to cross-sell pay-TV and/or
OTT video services to 5G subscribers, enabling them
to better monetise 5G due to the superior experience 26%
it offers versus 4G. Operators should prioritise 5G
subscribers in younger age groups. While 37% of
respondents aged 18–34 are interested in bundling
streaming video with their mobile subscription, only 24%
of over 45s are. For live sports, the equivalent figures are 20%
32% for 18–34 year-olds, and 22% for the over 45s.

Video streaming Live sports

Source GSMA Intelligence Consumers in Focus: Global Consumer Survey, August 2024
 Consumer 5G 23

Gaming is a leading 5G use case

• Gaming ranks highly among 5G use cases. The shift Digital gaming strongly appeals to around 40% of 5G users
of gaming to smartphones, combined with the rise of Percentage of smartphone users who find the enhanced mobile gaming use case ‘very’ or ‘extremely’
cloud-based gaming, means operators see gaming as appealing. Aggregate figures for 12 countries analysed.
a key 5G use case. This view is corroborated by GSMA
Intelligence consumer survey findings. For example,
around 40% of 5G users see enhanced mobile gaming as
an appealing 5G use case, and around a third of contract
5G mobile users have either already added or would
be interested in adding digital gaming content to their
mobile subscription. As cloud gaming becomes more
5G users 39%
immersive, interactive and data-intensive, 5G networks
will be ever more important to delivering an enhanced
cloud-gaming experience.

• Operators have several routes to monetisation.

Operators can benefit from the rise of cloud gaming
by upselling to heavy gamers requiring larger data
allowances, faster speeds and assured network quality
of service. Operators are also increasingly seeking direct
monetisation routes. On the B2C side, this includes
operators bundling third-party gaming services with
connectivity, or operators developing their own gaming
services. In terms of B2B, it includes operators providing
infrastructure such as cloud, edge and 5G networks to 4G users 24%
cloud gaming companies. To advance the 5G gaming use
case, operators are also forging partnerships with the
gaming vertical. Examples include operator participation
in the Niantic Planet-Scale AR Alliance, and the formation
of the Alaian alliance.

Source GSMA Intelligence Consumers in Focus Research – Global Consumer Survey, August 2024
 Consumer 5G 24

5G B2C monetisation is in focus for operators,

with different approaches available
• Monetisation is a pressing objective. 5G adoption Speed-based tariffs can help in the quest for 5G monetisation
has been rapid. While it will continue to grow, Speed-based tariffs as a percentage of all tariffs
reaching nearly 30% of total connections by the end 100% Finland
of 2025, monetisation will be more pressing than
ever. The monetisation toolkit available to operators
90%
for different markets includes traditional allowance-
based pricing; new speed-based pricing including
differentiated upload speeds; tariffs bundling 80%

content, services and devices; zero-rating (where

allowed); and experience-based propositions that 70%
target differentiated services (these have already
been launched by operators including China Mobile, 60%
AIS Thailand and Telefónica).
• 5G tariff innovation to deliver an ARPU uplift. 50% Switzerland
Examining the financial benefit offered by 5G
Norway
monetisation methods, GSMA Intelligence finds 40%
that (all else being equal) consumers in leading
speed-based tariff markets such as Finland, Norway
30%
and Switzerland are prepared to pay $14 extra per
month to increase their download speeds from less
20%
than 100 Mbps to the maximum speeds available.
Bundling and the inclusion of productivity add‑ons
could add up to $5 to the tariff value in leading 10%
add-on markets. In the top zero-rating markets,
consumers are prepared to pay an additional $1
per month if two applications are zero-rated, and -$2.0 -$1.5 -$1.0 -$0.5 $0.0 $0.5 $1.0

an additional $6 per month if five applications are ARPU growth (2022–23)

zero-rated. Source GSMA Intelligence analysis of Tarifica data
 Consumer 5G 25

5G compatibility is growing in importance in

consumer devices
• 5G is an ever-more important feature. According 5G is an important feature in smartphone purchasing decisions
to the GSMA Intelligence consumer survey, Percentage of consumers who find a feature very or somewhat important. Base: consumers who will
74% of consumers see 5G compatibility as an replace their smartphone. Aggregate figures across the 12 countries surveyed.
important feature when choosing their next
Battery life 93%
smartphone. This is a function of the network
effect created by 5G infrastructure, devices and Durability
consumer applications. As all three areas advance,
the importance of 5G compatibility should Security of data
increase further. The average selling price of 5G
Quality of the operating system
smartphones is falling as the combined efforts of
chipmakers and OEMs deliver more affordable Cost
5G smartphones, facilitating 5G adoption and
allowing 5G capabilities to be experienced by a Camera quality
hitherto underserved low-income segment of the
global smartphone user base. Brand reputation

• 5G makes inroads into other consumer device Ability to connect to 5G 74%

segments. In wearables, 5G connectivity is
Visual appeal
increasingly appearing on OEMs’ product
roadmaps, especially as genAI integration in
Sustainability
wearables continues to proceed at pace. For
example, several wearable OEMs and operators Larger screen size
are closely working with Qualcomm on 5G
RedCap trials using its new X35 5G Modem-RF eSIM compatibility
System. In the smart home segment, to keep pace
Artificial intelligence capabilities
with innovation such as advanced AI integration
and personal robots for the home, smart home Foldable screen design 6%
silicon is expected to move towards improved
connectivity, including compatibility with 5G. Source GSMA Intelligence Consumers in Focus Research – Global Consumer Survey, August 2024
 Consumer 5G 26

Considerations for the year ahead

5G FWA growth in China Operator success with 5G B2C More mobile-centric, digital
monetisation entertainment bundles
• FWA is the top 5G use case in China,
rated as very/extremely appealing • The challenge for operators will be • Bundling pay-TV and third-party
by 63% of respondents in the GSMA to drive a higher price premium for content with fixed services is well
Intelligence consumer survey. However tariffs linked to content and speed, established, but this is not so common
there have been no commercial and for consumers to be willing to pay with 5G, notably 5G FWA. 2025 could
launches of 5G FWA in the country and sustain that level of payment over be the year when providers of 5G
so far. It remains to be seen whether time. This will come down to operators FWA start offering more bundles that
Chinese operators capitalise on this so making consumers feel that 5G are comparable to traditional fixed
far unmet appetite in 2025. delivers something new or better than broadband.
what is possible using a 4G service.
• Operators have started using advanced
AI such as genAI, primarily for business
transformation and cost-efficiency
purposes. It will be interesting to see
progress in harnessing it for revenue
generation, with 5G B2C monetisation
a key use case.
 27

GLOBAL MOBILE TRENDS

In context

5G network innovation

Enterprise 5G:
Consumer 5G

Enterprise 5G: cloud, edge and automation private wireless

Enterprise 5G: the API economy

The generative telco

networks
Scaling up
AI and the telco of the future

eSIM

Satellites and NTNs: commercialisation

Satellites, NTNs and 5G: integration and operations

Satellites and NTNs: future roadmap

Energy-efficiency strategies

Circularity
 28

GLOBAL MOBILE TRENDS

Enterprise 5G:
private wireless networks
News highlights Why it matters

Private 5G is expanding beyond trials

Several key verticals lead the adoption of private 5G networks

The ecosystem is becoming increasingly complex

The business models for private networks are diverse

The devices landscape for private networks is evolving

Considerations for the year ahead 

 Enterprise 5G: private wireless networks 29

News highlights from the last year

• There is increased demand for private networks from the • After a relatively slower start compared to vendors
defence and critical infrastructure sectors such as ports, and systems integrators, mobile network operators
airports and energy grids. are targeting the private wireless opportunity and are
increasingly seen as essential partners.

FEBRUARY JUNE SEPTEMBER OCTOBER JANUARY 2025

Verizon collaborates with Deutsche Telekom offers Orange deploys private 5G KT and Samsung to build BSNL and Echelon Edge to
Audi in private 5G 5G mmWave alongside for Paris Olympics coverage private 5G for the Republic install private 5G in India
its campus networks in of Korea Navy mines
The private network uses The French operator
Germany
multiple cores, radio frequencies implemented a private The companies will build Echelon Edge will deploy a 5G
and network technologies While industries have been 5G solution that enabled fully independent network SA private network, designed
to replicate connectivity using 5G campus networks in broadcasting (e.g. on-board infrastructure to provide to address the particular
environments across European mid-band spectrum, Deutsche mobile cameras) for media seamless coverage and challenges of coal-mining
and US areas, to be used to Telekom – alongside Ericsson companies, and applications enhanced connectivity for the environments.
connect automotive test tracks. and Telit – has commercialised such as push-to-talk for security Republic of Korea Navy 2nd
5G mmWave. teams. Fleet. JANUARY 2025
JUNE
SEPTEMBER
Globe Telecom launches
Saudi regulator grants AUGUST NOVEMBER
private 5G in Philippines
specialist licence to Aramco Vodafone claims first with Movistar launches portable ZTE deploys private 5G
Digital private 5G deployment at private 4G for rescue ‘network-in-a-box’ at a food Globe has introduced the
workers company in Thailand Philippines’ first fully functional
nuclear power plant
Aramco Digital will use the private 5G network, aimed
450 MHz spectrum band to Vodafone provided ​​the Temelín The device is a ‘backpack’ The project uses True’s spectrum at addressing operational
establish private networks Nuclear Plant (located in for emergency workers. The for dedicated use and employs challenges across industries
across industrial, energy and Czechia) with a private 5G SA network covers a radius of 72 network slicing technology to such as ports, mines and
transport sectors. network, meeting stringent km. It supports up to 100 devices ensure quality of service and manufacturing.
security and operational via hybrid LTE/satellite and VHF/ enterprise security.
standards. UHF radio, as well as data and
video service.

Source Company press releases

 Enterprise 5G: private wireless networks 30

Why it matters in 2025

Private networks are scaling up

Growth momentum Business model clarity New verticals, new use cases
Growing in number and scale. Managed services take the lead. Private 5G is about more than
The number of private network Significant diversity in enterprise manufacturing. New verticals are
deployments is growing, across requirements has resulted in a emerging as key consumers of
regions. Many deployments are range of business models. However, private 5G. These include oil and
increasing in scale. there is a palpable shift towards gas, defence, broadcasting/media,
managed services. healthcare and ports/airports.
Moving to commercial
deployments. 2025 will see Enterprise needs vary between New use cases are taking hold.
enterprises increasingly move greenfield and brownfield With increasing adoption by
beyond trials and proofs of deployments. Brownfield will new verticals, new use cases are
concept (POCs) towards fully mean having to deal with legacy emerging that leverage increased
commercial deployments. equipment and will tend to require uplink bandwidth and lower
less upfront capex. latency communications.
 Enterprise 5G: private wireless networks 31

Private 5G is expanding beyond trials

• Private 5G moves to deployments. Enterprise More than three quarters of operators’ private network
adoption of private networks is set to increase customers have benefited from the adoption of private
significantly in 2025, as the segment enters a networks
new phase of maturity. Percentage of operators’ private network customers
• The opportunity is largely untapped. According
to the Global Digital Transformation Survey
2024, only 2% of enterprises globally have
deployed private networks, while the majority
(77%) of operators’ private network customers
state they have achieved the expected benefits. 23%
• Commercialisation is ramping up. Operators’
stated launch plans indicate they have 30%

accelerated their commercial promotion of

private 5G and that the customer base has
expanded. Feedback from early enterprise
customers is positive for 65% of operators.
Some 24% of operators claim their customers
have already achieved expected benefits and
significant financial returns, while 41% claim
customers have achieved expected benefits and
need more time to validate whether they have 47%
achieved significant financial returns.

Have achieved the expected Have achieved the expected benefits Early stages of deployment –
benefits and financial returns but financial returns still unclear outcomes aren’t measured yet

Source GSMA Intelligence Operators in Focus – Enterprise Opportunity Survey, December 2023
 Enterprise 5G: private wireless networks 32

Several key verticals lead the adoption of private

5G networks
The following groups are leading the demand for The verticals leading demand for private wireless networks
private wireless networks: At present, and thinking about the markets/countries where your company operates, what are the top
three industry verticals where you see the highest demand for private wireless networks (4G/5G)?
• Segments with mission-critical connectivity
and surge traffic. Mission-critical connectivity Media 22%
is needed across a range of verticals, including
defence, oil & gas, energy, manufacturing and Smart cities, public sector and military defence 22%
transport & logistics. There is also strong demand
from segments that need to cater to surges in Financial services 21%

traffic. For example, live entertainment is driving

Agriculture, oil & gas, mining 18%
demand for reliable connectivity, with operators
looking to address this through private 5G. Energy grid and utilities 16%

• Segments that need reliable uplink connectivity. Healthcare 14%

In the media sector, live TV broadcasting
requires reliable and fast uplink from various Retail 12%
locations. Large events such as the recent Paris
Live entertainment 10%
Olympic Games have included live deployments
of private wireless networks. Smart cities also Transport and automotive 9%
need reliable uplink due to large deployments of
CCTV and computer vision devices. Gaming and e-sports 8%

• The public sector and infrastructure companies. Manufacturing 8%

Utilities, heavy industry, railways, airports
and others are emerging as key buyers of Logistics 7%
private network solutions. For example, the US
Ports & airports 6%
Department of Defense has been working with
Nokia and Verizon to implement its private 5G
Respondents were asked to pick the top 1, 2 and 3 respectively.
deployment strategy. Chart shows the overall weighted scores, calculated as Ranked 1st * 1.00 + Ranked 2nd * 0.66 + Ranked 3rd * 0.33.
Source GSMA Intelligence
 Enterprise 5G: private wireless networks 33

The ecosystem is becoming increasingly complex

• Operators are raising their profile. Recent private 5G The ecosystem for private wireless networks is growing in
deployments are helping raise the profile of operators as
complexity
partners for enterprises. Operators around the world are
Example players
making progress in private 5G, establishing partnerships
with systems integrators and vendors, particularly
where the network footprint of operators is essential for Operators Neutral hosts/tower Software vendors and
deployment. companies specialists
• Singtel
• Telstra • Cellnex • Celona
• Systems integrators play a key role. Systems integrators
(including major network vendors) are likely to take a • Verizon • Freshwave • Druid

significant share of enterprise spend on private 5G. As • Vodafone • HPE Athonet

private networks ramp up, it will be advantageous for • OneLayer
providers of private networks (operators and others) to
work closely with systems integrators, who understand
end-user markets well. Network vendors Public/edge cloud Network hardware
providers
• Ericsson • Cisco
• Hyperscalers appear to favour edge. Hyperscalers may
• Huawei • AWS • Dell
look beyond private 5G and increase their focus on
• Nokia • Google Cloud • HPE
deploying edge infrastructure and platforms. While the
strategies of operators and network vendors crystalise, • Samsung
hyperscalers could see private networks as a necessary • ZTE
means to an end – a way to drive consumption of their
edge infrastructure and cloud services.
Systems integrators Device vendors RAN vendors and
• More specialists enter the game. An increasing number specialists
• Amdocs • Cradlepoint
of specialist players are providing different components.
• Atos • Siemens • Accelleran
Druid Software, for example, has partnerships in place for
• Capgemini • Sierra Wireless • Airspan
end-to-end solutions. Newer players, such as Celona, are
• Kyndryl • Globalstar
also offering end-to-end solutions. (XCOM RAN/private wireless)

Source GSMA Intelligence

 Enterprise 5G: private wireless networks 34

The business models for private networks are diverse

• Business models reflect diversity of Monetisation of private networks is a challenge for operators
requirements. Significant diversity in For you as a telecoms operator, how straightforward or challenging is achieving monetisation of the above 5G
enterprise requirements has resulted in technologies and capabilities (for enterprise offerings)? Percentage of respondents
a range of business models. However,
with the exception of large enterprises,
a majority are gravitating towards a
managed service model, with lower
upfront capex and monthly opex.

• Enterprises are looking to understand

the returns. Many deployments of private
networks by enterprises are still at the
trial/POC stage as they identify use cases
and evaluate returns and effectiveness.
Quantifying savings and/or productivity
gains is not straightforward without large-
24% 24% 4% 35%
scale deployments.

• Monetisation is not simple. Almost

40% of operators find private network
monetisation challenging or relatively
challenging. Operators need to adapt
their strategies to increased competition
and an uncertain ecosystem role. Options
include one-off fees from integration
services; recurring revenues from
managed network services and spectrum
management; bundled service offerings
with MEC and IoT; and revenue sharing
with equipment partners. Straightforward Relatively straightforward Relatively challenging Challenging

Source GSMA Intelligence Operators in Focus: Enterprise Opportunity Survey, December 2023
 Enterprise 5G: private wireless networks 35

The devices landscape for private networks is evolving

• The availability of private 5G-compatible A growing range of devices in private networks
devices is growing. While most live
deployments continue to be on private
4G, private 5G penetration is increasing, Enterprise-grade smartphones and tablets, Push-to-talk over cellular (PTToC) devices,
underpinned by increasing availability augmented and mixed reality glasses signal boosters
of compatible devices. This includes
enterprise‑grade handheld devices,
wearables and connected tools, as well as Richer, voice-based communications
industrial robots, cameras and IoT sensors. Cameras and camera-embedded sensors
supporting 5G new calling
• Device considerations extend beyond
connectivity. When enterprises procure
devices for private networks, they need Robotics (stationary and mobile) Drones
to consider a variety of aspects, including
connectivity, compatibility with existing
systems (e.g proprietary industrial networks,
Wi-Fi), data processing capabilities and cost. Enterprises expect more devices to be deployed
• Enterprises anticipate an increase in device Average number of devices connected to private networks
deployments. Enterprise adopters indicated
an average of 500 devices deployed in
private networks. They expect the number 2030 800
to grow to 800 by 2030. This is an average
that masks significant variation. However,
the practice among enterprises of scaling
from one test area to site-wide and then
multi-site deployments will be a sustained
c8%
trend. 2024 500 year-on-year
increase

Source GSMA Intelligence Enterprise in Focus: Global Digital Transformation Survey 2024
 Enterprise 5G: private wireless networks 36

Considerations for the year ahead

Private networks moving beyond Private 5G overtaking 4G The ecosystem becoming
a niche service more defined
• The increasing scale and scope of • The increasing availability and • Systems integrators will continue to
demand for private 5G means 2025 affordability of 5G chipsets, devices play a key role in private network
will see private networks move and modules, as well as a growing deployments, maintaining a substantial
towards becoming a mainstream array of software and security market share. However, operators are
service. As different countries figure solutions, mean 5G will increasingly seeing increasing traction with their
out their respective frameworks for replace 4G in deployments in 2025. offerings too.
private networks (including spectrum Enterprises will look to tap into the
• Going forward, awareness of available
availability), deployments will expand advanced features and services
solutions and the various deployment
in more countries. possible with 5G SA.
models will increase, which will likely
allow certain vendors to prevail in the
market.
 37

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 38

GLOBAL MOBILE TRENDS

In context

5G network innovation

Enterprise 5G:
Consumer 5G

Enterprise 5G: private wireless networks

cloud, edge and

Enterprise 5G: the API economy

The generative telco

automation
Orchestrating for
AI and the telco of the future

eSIM

private 5G
Satellites and NTNs: commercialisation

Satellites, NTNs and 5G: integration and operations

Satellites and NTNs: future roadmap

Energy-efficiency strategies

Circularity
 39

GLOBAL MOBILE TRENDS

Enterprise 5G:
cloud, edge and automation
News highlights Why it matters

Edge trails public cloud, but new use cases will drive adoption

Enterprises want connected, fully visible and secure endpoints

Enterprises expect AI to benefit a range of business areas

Hybrid AI architectures will drive edge cloud

Converged edge platforms are emerging for distributed network

management

Considerations for the year ahead 

 Enterprise 5G: cloud, edge and automation 40

News highlights from the last year

• 2024 saw a number of partnerships between mobile • The year also saw increasing examples of solutions for
operators and ecosystem players, including hardware enhanced processing at the edge of the network, mostly
vendors, as well as new alliances such as AI-RAN to to enable AI use cases running over large datasets and
support new AI use cases within telco RAN. inferencing.

FEBRUARY FEBRUARY JUNE OCTOBER DECEMBER

NTT Corporation and NTT AI-RAN Alliance launches AT&T and Dell partner to add Qualcomm expands portfolio Verizon collaborates
Docomo demonstrate connectivity and compute to more Copilot+ PC users with Nvidia to power AI
The AI RAN Alliance includes
computing and mobile to their enterprise edge workloads on 5G private
Nvidia, SoftBank, T-Mobile, Qualcomm has expanded the
network convergence Ericsson, Nokia and Arm, among solution networks with MEC
Snapdragon X Series portfolio
others. Within its focus is how and enabled OEMs to bring to
NTT Corporation and The offerings include AT&T’s The solution combines Verizon’s
the RAN infrastructure can run market AI-native PCs by OEMs
NTT Docomo have jointly connectivity (private 5G, fibre, 5G private network and
AI workloads, opening up new such as Microsoft, Lenovo, Acer,
demonstrated a mobile network mobile) and Dell’s storage, private MEC with the Nvidia AI
monetisation routes. Asus, HP and Samsung.
equipped with In-network servers and other solutions to Enterprise software platform
computing functions. FEBRUARY support workforce mobility, IoT and Nvidia NIM microservices.
OCTOBER
and AI-related cases.
FEBRUARY SK Telecom is building Nokia and Lenovo DECEMBER

NTT and Red Hat fuel AI partnerships to drive its JUNE collaborate on AI and data Supermicro announces
analysis at the edge AI data centre initiative Nokia to acquire Infinera centre solutions solution for AI inferencing
to increase scale in optical at the edge
Red Hat and NTT bring to market SK Telecom, through its Highly reliable, scalable and
partnership with SuperMicro networks
a jointly developed solution that secure solutions are needed to Enterprises will need new
tackles real-time AI analysis and its investment in Lambda, support storage and high-speed
The acquisition will help Nokia hardware capable of inferencing
of massive datasets at the is targeting the AI data-centre data transfer inside and across
grow its optical networks high volumes of data in edge
edge, while reducing power market. data centres globally – this is
business and its enterprise locations with minimal latency.
consumption and latency. business, particularly internet the focus of Nokia and Lenovo’s Supermicro’s solution targets
content providers and data collaboration. manufacturing use cases.
centre applications.

Source Company press releases

 Enterprise 5G: cloud, edge and automation 41

Why it matters in 2025

Hybrid AI adoption is driving the case for converged

edge platforms

Growing use of cloud Increasing adoption of AI New use cases driving

the converged edge
Cloud technologies are critical for Spend on AI is growing.
digital transformation. Nearly half Enterprises will spend 14% of total New use cases leverage lower
of enterprises undertaking digital spend on digital transformation on latency and increased uplink.
transformation make advanced use genAI and wider AI during 2024– A new wave of use cases
of the cloud. 2030. leveraging technologies such as
computer vision and XR require
Edge cloud use lags centralised Hybrid AI infrastructure is being
processing at the edge.
public/private cloud. Newer use deployed. There is an increasing
cases are increasing the attention shift to hybrid AI as enterprises New use cases drive converged
on edge cloud, but there is a lag recognise that not all workloads edge platforms. Value points are
compared to public cloud. can be processed in the public shifting to the distributed edge and
cloud, requiring edge cloud seamless orchestration of workloads
Spend on cloud remains solid.
investment. across IT/OT environments.
Combined spend on cloud and
This requires an edge platform
edge will account for 8% of
that can deploy workloads and
total enterprise spend on digital
handle processing on-premises,
transformation during 2024–2030.
or segregate workloads to be
processed through multi-cloud
connectivity to public/private clouds.
 Enterprise 5G: cloud, edge and automation 42

Edge trails public cloud, but new use cases will

drive adoption
• Cloud is an established technology. Most enterprises undertaking digital transformation are using
According to the GSMA Intelligence Global cloud technology
Digital Transformation Survey 2024, As part of your company’s digital transformation, where are you in the process of using the following
virtually all enterprises undertaking digital technologies? Aggregate figures across all countries and vertical sectors surveyed. Base: all enterprises
transformation use cloud technology undertaking digital transformation.
Percentage of enterprises
(advanced, moderate or limited use), with
nearly half making advanced use of it. Cloud
Of all the non-connectivity technologies
analysed, only cloud and cybersecurity
record around 50% advanced use among
enterprises. This is unsurprising, given
46% 35% 11%
that both are fundamental technologies
(alongside mobile and fixed connectivity)
for digital transformation.
• Edge is used less than cloud. Compared
to cloud, for edge there is a substantial
Edge
gap in terms of advanced use. Not all
use cases require edge capabilities, and
the technology itself is less established
than cloud. Automotive and mobility as
well as media and entertainment record 26% 41% 18%
higher advanced use of edge technology,
as some of the prominent edge use
cases relate to smart mobility and media
applications (e.g. live broadcasting and
events).
Advanced use Moderate use Limited use Testing phase Planning phase At present, no plans to use

Source GSMA Intelligence Enterprise in Focus: Global Digital Transformation Survey 2024
 Enterprise 5G: cloud, edge and automation 43

Enterprises want connected, fully visible and

secure endpoints
• Endpoints are increasingly Cybersecurity is a top spend area for 40% of enterprises for 2024–2026
connected. As enterprises strive As part of the spend your company is making to support digital transformation, in which technologies do you expect your
for digital transformation, they are company to make the greatest spend?
looking to connect more endpoints Percentage of enterprises in given sector choosing cybersecurity technology as one of their top five areas of spend.
to their network. However, many of
these will be legacy (rather than new) All sectors 40%

equipment and devices.

Manufacturing and industrial sectors 45%
• All endpoints need to be secure.
Some of the connected endpoints
Transportation, logistics and warehousing 43%
deployed by an enterprise will
connect seamlessly to the network
Healthcare 41%
over Wi-Fi and/or 5G. However,
legacy devices will typically need
Financial services 40%
to be connected to the network
through a router. The enterprise will
need full visibility of all these devices, Utilities and energy 39%

connected directly or indirectly.

Public sector 39%
• Endpoint management and security
need to be managed at the edge.
Media and entertainment 38%
Enterprises looking at new use
cases on-premises are increasingly
Retail 38%
deploying edge cloud infrastructures.
Besides potentially hosting core and
Automotive and mobility 33%
orchestration software for private
5G networks, they will also host
Agriculture, forestry and fishing 31%
management and security software
for connected endpoints.
Source GSMA Intelligence Enterprise in Focus: Global Digital Transformation Survey 2024
 Enterprise 5G: cloud, edge and automation 44

Enterprises expect AI to benefit a range of

business areas
• GenAI moves into the AI’s share of digital transformation spend set to grow by 2030
mainstream. GenAI has quickly AI as a percentage of total spend on digital transformation (based on GSMA Intelligence analysis of survey data).
progressed from a nascent to a Aggregate figures across all countries and vertical sectors surveyed.
widely used technology across
most verticals. Some 86% of
enterprises undertaking digital 20
transformation already use genAI
technology. However, only 33% are
currently making advanced use
14%
Average 16%
of it, signalling room for growth. 2024–2030
Together, genAI and wider AI will
account for 14% of total enterprise
15
13%
spend on digital transformation
during 2024–2030. This makes
AI the top investment priority for
enterprises.
• AI-native, enterprise-grade devices
10
emerge. AI-native laptops and
handheld devices have been making
inroads over the last couple of
years. 2024 saw milestone releases
by the likes of Qualcomm and Intel 5
(silicon level) and computer OEMs
such as Microsoft (Copilot+ PCs),
Lenovo and Asus.

0 2024–26 2027–30

Source GSMA Intelligence Enterprise in Focus: Global Digital Transformation Survey 2024
 Enterprise 5G: cloud, edge and automation 45

Hybrid AI architectures will drive edge cloud

• AI will be deployed at the edge. For a variety Around half of enterprises would look beyond hyperscalers for
of reasons including data sovereignty, data edge solutions
privacy and cost management, enterprises are Thinking about your company’s edge technology deployments or trials, who is the main company
increasingly looking to deploy AI at the edge. supplying edge technology to your company? Aggregate figures across all countries and vertical
This includes model training, with local data sectors surveyed. Base: all enterprises already using or testing edge technology. Percentage of
enterprises. For ‘main supplier’, respondents could select one answer only.
used to train AI models and ultimately drive
inferencing to enhance digital workloads. All of
this will need edge cloud infrastructures.
• Hyperscalers lead early edge cloud
19%
deployments. While hyperscalers are potentially
the leading partners of choice for edge
solutions, enterprises are also looking at other
suppliers. Major equipment vendors such as Dell
5%
are emerging as key suppliers of AI-enabled
edge cloud infrastructure. Although telecoms 49%
operators are not among the top preferred
9%
suppliers for enterprises looking to deploy edge
solutions (5%), they should ensure the market
understands the importance of connectivity
to support AI workloads, data transfer and
18%
increasingly stringent security requirements.

Major cloud/edge companies Telecoms network/ Smaller cloud/ Mobile Other companies
(e.g. hyperscalers) equipment vendors edge companies operators

Source GSMA Intelligence Enterprise in Focus: Global Digital Transformation Survey 2024
 Enterprise 5G: cloud, edge and automation 46

Converged edge platforms are emerging for distributed

network management
• Distributed cloud architectures need Connectivity and networks: importance for digital transformation
orchestration and management spanning How important are the following networking technologies to the success of your company’s digital
central and edge cloud. An increasing number transformation? Aggregate figures across all countries and vertical sectors surveyed. For each network
of enterprise private network deployments will technology, the base is all enterprises already using or testing/planning to use the network technology.
see endpoints at multiple locations, necessitating Percentage of enterprises.
distributed network management. This could
mean network management software deployed Use of 5G networks
on a central cloud but managing multiple edge
cloud instances. A classic example is that of a
85% 11% 4%
mine, with teams in central locations managing
endpoints located hundreds of miles away.
Use of 4G networks
• A new class of orchestrators and management
software is required. As workloads are
increasingly distributed and the endpoints more 82% 14% 4%
diverse, plugging them into digital workflows
needs sophisticated orchestration that cuts
Use of fixed and Wi-Fi networks
across domains. This will also become relevant
for operators who are deploying network slices
for their enterprise clients and need end-to-end 93% 6%
orchestration. 1%

• Enterprises will need platforms with ‘single Use of satellite networks

pane of glass’ management. Enterprises will not
be able to handle multiple network parameters 84% 13% 3%
as well as domains. For example, enterprise IT
departments will struggle to handle the dozens
of network parameters needed for a RAN
Very important Neither important nor unimportant Not very important
deployment.
Source GSMA Intelligence Enterprise in Focus: Global Digital Transformation Survey 2024
 Enterprise 5G: cloud, edge and automation 47

Considerations for the year ahead

Enterprises’ use of 5G and AI processing shifting to the edge Operators as meaningful
edge cloud suppliers for edge cloud
• 2025 will see a groundswell of • A distinct set of AI workloads will • While operators are increasingly
investments in private 5G networks increasingly be processed at the edge focused on packaging private
but also AI-enabled converged edge of the network. This is especially true networks with edge cloud offerings,
platforms. in scenarios where enterprises want they are playing catch-up with
data privacy which precludes data hyperscalers and equipment vendors.
• Enterprises need flexibility to deploy
being sent, at high cost, to the public
workloads and handle processing • A few large operators offering private
cloud.
on-premises or segregate some networking (including network slicing)
workloads to be processed through • Similarly, enterprises in countries with could gain traction by packaging an
multi-cloud connectivity to public or data sovereignty rules will not run end-to-end solution from RAN to edge
private clouds. This all requires 5G AI workloads in the public cloud but to cloud.
connectivity. rather on edge cloud infrastructure
within their borders.
 48

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 49

GLOBAL MOBILE TRENDS

In context

5G network innovation

Enterprise 5G:
Consumer 5G

Enterprise 5G: private wireless networks

Enterprise 5G: cloud, edge and automation

the API economy

The generative telco Operators unite to
AI and the telco of the future

eSIM drive new revenue

Satellites and NTNs: commercialisation

Satellites, NTNs and 5G: integration and operations opportunities

Satellites and NTNs: future roadmap

Energy-efficiency strategies

Circularity
 50

GLOBAL MOBILE TRENDS

Enterprise 5G: the API economy

News highlights Why it matters

Increased collaboration and growing customer demand underpin

API momentum

The mobile industry rallies around network APIs

Anti-fraud APIs dominate the initial wave of rollouts

Operators are pursuing dual strategies to reach developers

Developers are prioritising the basics: simplicity and security

Considerations for the year ahead 

 Enterprise 5G: the API economy 51

News highlights from the last year

• Partnerships are key to driving scale, bringing together

the customers and capabilities of multiple companies.
The understood value is reflected in diverse tie-ups
across GSMA Open Gateway operators and ecosystem
players.

FEBRUARY MAY JUNE AUGUST SEPTEMBER

Joint launch of SIM Swap Vonage launches anti-fraud Nokia and Google collaborate South Korean operators Ericsson and global telcos
and Number Verification APIs via AWS Marketplace on telco APIs push unified open APIs launch new API venture
APIs in Spain
The Vonage Fraud Protection Nokia will run its Network as After agreeing to create six Ericsson and a group of mobile
Spain’s leading mobile operators Solution, which uses AWS Code platform on Google Cloud, standard network APIs via the operators will form a new
announced the launch of two services and Vonage APIs, will leveraging Google’s AI tools to Korea ICT Association, SKT, KT company, to combine and sell
new APIs designed to help be made available in the AWS enrich the developer experience and LG U+ agreed to work on network APIs to developer
developers tackle online fraud Marketplace. and promoting Nokia’s Telco unified “Network Open API” platforms, with Vonage and
and protect the digital identities API solution to the Google Cloud standards. KT and LG U+ are Google Cloud providing access to
of mobile customers. MAY developer community. GSMA Open Gateway signatories. their developer ecosystems.
Nokia and Infobip partner on
MARCH JULY SEPTEMBER OCTOBER
suite of APIs
Chinese operators enter the Singtel, AIS, Maxis partner to CAMARA delivers first major GSMA and AECC drive
API fray The partnership will enable battle digital scams release connected vehicle services
Infobip and Nokia to accelerate
China’s three largest mobile API adoption and scale customer In separate MoUs, AIS and Maxis “Meta-Release Fall24” comprises The AECC will work with
operators launched the One Time engagement use cases globally, signed up to leverage Singtel’s 25 APIs. Included in the release GSMA Fusion to “accelerate
Password (OTP) API. The launch building on network APIs and SingVerify digital identity suite are stable APIs (previously conversations between
makes China the first country to omnichannel communications. (Open Gateway API compliant) implemented by operators), automotive manufacturers,
bring the OTP API to market. to enable network-based mobile updated APIs and initial operators and developers”. This
subscriber authentication in versions of new APIs (ready for follows a previously signed
Thailand and Malaysia. implementation). agreement between the AECC
and CAMARA.

Source Company press releases, Mobile World Live

 Enterprise 5G: the API economy 52

Why it matters in 2025

Laying the foundations for new monetisation capabilities

Time for action Monetisation imperative Security matters

A global movement. As of Monetisation and proof points An evolving threat landscape.
December 2024, 67 mobile required. 2025 needs to be about Growing levels of engagement
operators had committed to GSMA monetisation and proof points with digital services – particularly
Open Gateway APIs. These account from commercial deployments via smartphones – present greater
for approximately 75% of mobile to sustain the momentum behind exposure to fraud and security
market share by connections. network APIs. risks. Network APIs can reduce this
threat.
APIs get real. As of December Brazil leads the way. The early
2024, 161 GSMA Open Gateway success of Brazilian operators Priority APIs. Security protection
APIs had been commercially in monetising the SIM Swap API and fraud mitigation have been
deployed. A significant increase underscores the potential for new the most popular applications of
in the availability of GSMA Open revenue streams that can emerge GSMA Open Gateway APIs so far
Gateway APIs is anticipated in from network APIs. deployed by mobile operators and
2025. their partners.
 Enterprise 5G: the API economy 53

Increased collaboration and growing customer demand

underpin API momentum
• Network API exposure is not The driving forces behind network API exposure
new. Nearly 80% of operators in
the GSMA Intelligence Network
Transformation Survey 2024 claim
to have exposed network APIs on a Collaboration Operator strategies
commercial basis. While it has long
• Collaboration among operators is helping • Pressure on operator connectivity revenues
been possible to expose network developers build applications using APIs that work (stagnating or growing by low, single digits) is
APIs, operators have struggled to across multiple networks. driving efforts around network APIs and other
adopt a standardised approach that new areas.
• Support from cloud providers for operators’
achieves scale. Recent initiatives by network API exposure efforts is attracting a • Operators are using network APIs for internal
broader developer audience. purposes, such as building new services for end
the mobile industry to develop a
users and delivering internal efficiencies (e.g. using
common set of network APIs have • Collaboration between industry bodies, standards
APIs for network monitoring and management).
development organisations and open-source
provided fresh momentum. groups is driving interoperability.
• Industry groups drive API
collaboration. Collaboration
between the GSMA, TM Forum and
the CAMARA Project on the GSMA’s
Open Gateway API ecosystem Customer demand Technology
is important for increasing • Enterprise demand for identity validation and • As mobile networks become more cloud-like, it
interoperability. The GSMA focuses fraud prevention solutions is rising amid escalating is becoming easier for developers to build new
on how network capabilities support digital security challenges. capabilities that can be exposed via network APIs.

service APIs, while TM Forum leads • Enterprise demand for customised connectivity is • The improved performance of 4G and 5G
growing across logistics, manufacturing, utilities networks is enabling a range of new consumer and
the definition and development
and other sectors. enterprise use cases that can be supported via
of operations, administration and APIs.
• Consumers are seeking better quality networks
management APIs, which provide to support demanding activities such as online
programmable access to OSS/BSS gaming.
capabilities.
Source GSMA Intelligence
 Enterprise 5G: the API economy 54

The mobile industry rallies around network APIs

• Commitments build. Some 67 mobile operators Around 75% of the mobile sector by market share is
have committed to the GSMA Open Gateway participating in GSMA Open Gateway
initiative, which aims to open up access to Number of operators committed to the GSMA Open Gateway initiative
network capabilities through common APIs.
80
This level of support is important to encourage
developers to build applications that leverage 76%
Open Gateway APIs. 70

• Momentum grows in Asia. China and Asia

Pacific account for the biggest concentration of 60
operators that have signed up to GSMA Open 68%
Gateway. Recent traction in Southeast Asia has
seen a ‘domino effect’ and speaks to recognition 50 64%
that regional business success with APIs
depends on developers having a larger platform
40
to work from. 58%

• Sub-Saharan Africa is underrepresented. The

limited traction so far for GSMA Open Gateway 30

in Sub-Saharan Africa is notable given the

region’s vibrant digital services marketplace and
20
the global appeal of network APIs, particularly
in areas such as fraud prevention and security.
However, operators in the region face more 10
limited resources to dedicate to exposing
network APIs. Closing the coverage and usage
gaps in mobile internet connectivity remains the 0
June 2023 December 2023 June 2024 December 2024
priority in the region.
Operators Mobile market share (global)

Data as of December 2024 Source GSMA Intelligence

 Enterprise 5G: the API economy 55

Anti-fraud APIs dominate the initial wave of rollouts

• GSMA Open Gateway comprises SIM Swap, Number Verification and OTP Validation account for two thirds
a library of 23 APIs. The APIs of GSMA Open Gateway API deployments
are split into different families Size reflects number of commercial
SIM Swaplaunches for API type Number Device Location Quality on
based on use case addressed. The Verification Verification Demand
APIs can facilitate numerous use
cases, including mitigating fraud,
simplifying user authentication and
addressing quality-of-service issues.
• A security focus. Mitigating fraud
and other security threats has been
the most prevalent use case of APIs
deployed by operators and their
partners. There are a range of APIs
in this domain, including SIM Swap,
Number Verification and One Time KYC Match
Device
Password Validation. Status

• API launches will begin to branch One Time Password Validation

out. The use of APIs for payments
and network-related functions
(e.g. quality of service and edge Simple
Edge
compute) is still nascent but Discovery
expected to grow. Developers value Carrier Billing

these capabilities, with around

40% citing edge and payments as Other

most attractive to their enterprise

customers (the second highest after
security applications).
Data as of December 2024 Source GSMA Intelligence
 Enterprise 5G: the API economy 56

Operators are pursuing dual strategies to

reach developers
When GSMA Open Gateway launched, it GSMA Open Gateway relationship model
envisioned that API consumers (developers
integrating Open Gateway APIs into their code)
would engage with operators directly and/or via The
Theconsumer
consumer is is
a developer,
a
application
developer,service provider
application Consumer Consumer
aggregators:
(ASP), ISV, enterprise
• Direct to developer: building momentum. customer or service
Access to operators
integrator that creates code
Some operators are directing resources via aggregator
that invokes the service APIs.
towards establishing direct relationships with
developers. For instance, Orange has launched
the Orange Developer portal (an API portal)
and conducted API development challenges
with local businesses, while Deutsche Telekom The aggregator may be
an operator or third party Direct access
recently organised an API competition for Aggregator/marketplace
to operator
(hyperscaler, OTT). It sells on
developers in the US and EU.
behalf of the Open Gateway
• Aggregators: pivotal to scaling up API community and is effective
when it represents a high
usage. Due to the challenges previously
number of operators.
faced by operators in establishing developer Portal B
communities, many are also partnering with
aggregators to broaden their reach to a wider
range of developers. The presence of various
companies in the API aggregator space is Each operator sets its own
T&Cs with the channels, Open Gateway Open Gateway
noteworthy. The diversity of companies reflects Operator A Operator B
but there needs to be full
the varied ways developers interact with
alignment on product
operator network capabilities, as well as the (standard APIs) and business Sells: Sells:
technical solutions and infrastructure required framework. – Through aggregator(s) – Through aggregator(s)
to expose network APIs. – Direct to customer

Source GSMA
 Enterprise 5G: the API economy 57

Developers are prioritising the basics:

simplicity and security
• Getting the basics right. A common Developers want simplicity and security from a partner
pitfall in selling the value of new or What are the most important considerations for selecting a network API provider? Percentage of developers
improved technology is to focus
too much on headline-grabbing, Quality of service 32%
potential use cases for the future.
While this can generate excitement, Security and compliance 31%

it can ignore what often matters

Ease of API use 25%
most – getting the basics right.
• Developers want simplicity and Technical support 22%
security. Around 30% prioritise
network quality of service, security Developer support and community 20%
and making things easy. Reach,
sandboxes and the menu of APIs to Pricing 19%
choose from all matter, but far less
so if the fundamentals are not done Network reach 19%
correctly.
Range of network assets 18%

Specific APIs available 18%

API sandbox and testing environment 16%

Documentation 13%

Contractual agreements 11%

Source GSMA Intelligence Network API Developer Survey 2024

 Enterprise 5G: the API economy 58

Considerations for the year ahead

How to bridge the gap between Who emerges as the leading The APIs next to gain traction
supply and demand partners for operators after anti-fraud solutions
• Early GSMA Open Gateway activity • Network infrastructure vendors and • Operators have high hopes for the
has been focused on supply-side CPaaS providers were at the centre of Quality on Demand (QoD) API, which
concerns, ensuring developers and many of the biggest announcements allows developers to select predefined
partners can gain access to network related to network APIs in 2024. quality-of-service configurations
APIs. Success on technology enablers However, there was less activity from based on application requirements.
points to clear progress. However, the big hyperscalers after much Deutsche Telekom’s 5G Live Video
there remains a need to seed market fanfare at MWC24. These companies Production is an early example of a
demand alongside use-case boosting are key to unlocking the developer solution that leverages the QoD API
efforts focused on connecting with audience, presenting an important alongside 5G SA and network slicing
integrators and targeting industry year ahead. To date, more than 20 capabilities. The solution enables TV
pain points such as fraud. This points companies have signed up as GSMA teams to transmit their live HD video
to the importance of the GSMA Open Gateway channel partners. streams reliably – even without a
Fusion initiative, which will engage satellite connection.
with major enterprise API buyers to
secure commitments to using GSMA
Open Gateway APIs.
 59

GLOBAL MOBILE TRENDS

In context

5G network innovation

The generative
Consumer 5G

Enterprise 5G: private wireless networks

Enterprise 5G: cloud, edge and automation

Enterprise 5G: the API economy

telco
Generative AI’s impact
AI and the telco of the future

eSIM now and in the future

Satellites and NTNs: commercialisation

Satellites, NTNs and 5G: integration and operations

Satellites and NTNs: future roadmap

Energy-efficiency strategies

Circularity
 60

GLOBAL MOBILE TRENDS

The generative telco

News highlights Why it matters

GenAI for networks: building on a history of automation is a natural

place to start

Networks for genAI: networks will need to support new traffic growth
from genAI

Operators serve users across myriad languages, bringing genAI to new

frontiers

The search for AI-driven revenues: business growth is the

long‑term goal

Partnering with AI leaders could benefit operators, or see them support

the success of others

Considerations for the year ahead 

 The generative telco 61

News highlights from the last year

• Across the industry, the pace of genAI innovation and • LLM (and SLM) development was at the core of
investment was a theme throughout 2024 and one that innovation, driven by cloud and software heavyweights,
will stretch into 2025, as burgeoning device AI use cases but increasingly by operators too.
garner more attention.

FEBRUARY APRIL JUNE OCTOBER DECEMBER

KDDI brings genAI to its Microsoft lightens up on AI Global Telco AI Alliance Qualcomm launches OpenAI launches Sora video
Alpha-U Web3 service with Phi-3 launch founders sign JV agreement Snapdragon 8 Elite generation model

KDDI will integrate genAI into its The small language model (SLM) At the DTW24 – Ignite event, e&, The company’s latest flagship Introduced early in 2024,
metaverse and Web3 service, is aimed at supporting resource- SK Telecom, Deutsche Telekom, mobile silicon leans heavily the video model – billed as
including Google’s Gemini constrained, low-latency and Singtel and SoftBank signed on AI improvements, billed a “foundation for AI that
Pro model. The first services cost-constrained use cases. an agreement to co-develop a as powering new on-device understands and simulates
will focus on shopping and multilingual, telco LLM. generative and multimodal AI reality” – was released as a
entertainment. JUNE applications. standalone offer.
OCTOBER
Apple Intelligence puts
FEBRUARY OCTOBER DECEMBER
genAI at core of ecosystem China Mobile updates Jiutian
DT showcases AI-phone AI foundation model OpenAI lands $6.6 billion Google rolls out Gemini 2.0
concept With its new operating systems, investment and other AI innovations
Apple will integrate ChatGPT into In addition to Juitian’s multi-
In partnership with Brain.ai and its hardware, with some features modal, text analysis and voice The ChatGPT’s developer closed Along with its newest genAI
Qualcomm, the “visionary AI withheld in Europe to ensure interaction capabilities, the telco a massive funding round, model, Google rolled out new
phone concept” replaced diverse DMA compliance. noted that it had resulted in 100 days after reports of a plan video and image models, new AI
apps with an AI-based assistant LLMs and 50+ datasets. to restructure into a for-profit features for Android, and agent
capable of acting on queries. company, removing limits on support in Google Cloud.
investor returns.

Source Company press releases, Mobile World Live

 The generative telco 62

Why it matters in 2025

GenAI is no longer new; operators are finding their place

in its development

Use case maturity Unique opportunities for Network implications

operators
Past the infancy stage. Operators GenAI for networks. Operators
have been among the leading Horizontal applications. Across spend billions of dollars on their
industries in testing and industries, genAI will deliver networks, so it is only natural to
implementing AI in commercial a common set of capabilities look for ways to leverage new
operations in 2024. (document generation, customer technology innovations to shave
support, etc), with operators no these costs.
Deployment learnings. Two years
different.
of trials means operators (and Networks for genAI. Operator
their suppliers) are now gaining an Vertical applications. Operators networks will be critical for
understanding of what genAI can will benefit from these horizontal enabling genAI use cases. This will
do. applications but will also have their require investment but could pay
own use cases. As the technology for itself, or at least help to defray
is deployed and innovation takes costs, if genAI support can be
place, we will learn what those are. monetised.
 The generative telco 63

GenAI for networks: building on a history of automation

is a natural place to start
• Automation to reduce opex. Top technologies for opex reduction
Automation has long been touted
as a tool for driving network opex
efficiencies. Survey responses from
mobile operators have continued to
indicate that automation is seen as 2021 Service operations automation
the No.1 way to reduce opex in the
network.
• AI can augment automation.
GenAI can be a real fillip here,
because it augments existing
automation technology and adds 2022 Network operations automation
new functionality in a range of
categories – traffic management and
optimisation, billing to O&M agents.
• Making money versus saving
money. Though saving money on 2023 Service operations automation
opex and capex is important, the
bigger priority for operators is to
make new money and, relatedly,
improve the customer experience.
For network and other software
suppliers that sell into operators 2024 Network and service operations automation (combined)
(e.g. Amdocs, Circles), this means
linking AI directly to understanding
customer behaviour and optimising
services to upsell and lower churn.
Source GSMA Intelligence
 The generative telco 64

Networks for genAI: networks will need to support new

traffic growth from genAI
• 5G traffic shift 1.0. Social and Mobile traffic will rise threefold per subscriber by 2030 – without AI
streaming media support have
transformed network traffic 6,000

patterns. Total sector cellular data

traffic is currently running at around
1,600 exabytes per year. This is
5,000
expected to rise threefold by the
46
end of the decade, driven mostly by
5G adoption.
• 5G traffic shift 2.0. The forecast 4,000 39

does not factor in genAI. This is

likely to increase the load further 33
still, as traffic rises from consumer
usage (e.g. ChatGPT) and enterprise 3,000 28
applications (mostly around
inferencing). The AI-driven traffic 24

rise presents implications across the 20

network: RAN, core, backhaul, OSS/ 2,000

BSS. While AI can help make traffic 16

loads more efficient, bandwidth 13

increases will be required to carry

1,000
the load.

0
2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030
Cellular data traffic (Exabytes per year) Average 4G and 5G traffic (GB) per subscriber, per month

Source GSMA Intelligence

 The generative telco 65

Operators serve users across myriad languages,

bringing genAI to new frontiers
• LLM development focuses on a few Examples of LLM developments
languages. The majority of LLM
development centres on a small set of Company and example service LLM and language training developments
languages with massive scale. English,
French, Spanish, Mandarin and Indian Orange LLMs for customer service and enterprise solutions
are chief among these. This approach Djingo AI Assistant Exploring French, Arabic and African languages
mirrors the development of the
internet and smartphone-era content
(it follows the language of where the
technology is developed – largely
Silicon Valley). Clear Global Low-resource language AI models for humanitarian
and emergency response contexts
• Minority languages cannot be Clear Tech Hub
excluded. Operators have become Training LLMs for languages in Africa, South Asia
a leading force in remedying the and Central America
situation. Orange and Vodafone are
two examples. Both are working with Veon/Qazcode LLMs for customer engagement and local-language
AI providers to train LLMs using a support in markets including Russia, Kazakhstan and
panoply of African languages so they Beeline AI Chatbot
Uzbekistan
can target services to customers in
the region.
• Can this type of data ingestion be
sold as a service elsewhere? GSMA BCN Supercompute AI-powered NLP and supercomputing for large-scale
Intelligence expects experimentation language processing
MarIA
here to grow in Latin America and
Training multilingual LLMs
Southeast Asia, as more companies
embrace AI for their own services and
customer care.
 The generative telco 66

The search for AI-driven revenues: business growth is

the long‑term goal
• Network efficiencies dominate Revenue generation features heavily in AI investment goals of operators
current use cases. AI is primarily Top three priorities from AI investments (percentage of operators)
being deployed by operators as an
automation tool to reduce opex.
• The bigger goal is revenues. This
reflects the stubbornly low growth US & Canada Asia Pacific Europe
environment and need to generate
a return on 5G investment. Nearly
Better customer
1
20% of operators in the US, Europe New revenues New revenues
and Asia rate revenues as the experience
19% 15%
top goal from AI, with customer 16%
experience closely linked to this.
• There’s no ‘silver bullet’. Diverse New revenues
Better customer
2
operator assets lead to diverse 13%
experience
strategies and revenue models. Network planning; better
19%
Examples include: customer experience;
– selling GPU as service employee productivity
and decision making
– selling data and/or infrastructure Employee productivity Employee productivity
3
Each at 14%
access to support LLM and decision making and decision making
development 14% 13%

– AI as a competitive differentiator
for enterprise sales (e.g. edge,
private wireless)
– agents and bots (white label).

Source GSMA Intelligence Operators in Focus: AI adoption survey 2024

 The generative telco 67

Partnering with AI leaders could benefit operators,

or see them support the success of others
• Operators have a history in sell- Operators serving as a channel for AI solutions (example announcements)
through. Operators have been quick
to serve as a channel for various in-
Date of Operator AI provider Investment Geographic Revenue model
demand services – video streaming announcement coverage
(e.g. Netflix, Amazon, Disney), the
smart home (e.g. home security), and October Vodafone Google $1 billion over Europe, Africa B2C (Pixel
enterprise software. Typically, revenues 2024 10 years distribution,
pay-TV upsell,
are made as commission on sales or
security)
earnt through higher bundle charges.
• Serving as a channel for AI solutions
could prove profitable. Several September KT Microsoft ‘Multi billion South Korea B2B (LLMs for
examples point to what this could look 2024 dollar’, core business
like. Vodafone’s deal with Google, for including $450 and enterprise
million fee to services)
example, involves both direct upsell
KT for access
in its pay-TV business as well as being to KT cloud
a distribution partner for the Pixel
handset range and cloud services. September KDDI AWS Not reported Japan B2B (LLM and
Meanwhile, KT will earn an access fee 2023 app support
for enterprise,
from Microsoft for cloud access that
government)
supports LLM development.
• Magnitude matters. The revenue for
operators from AI is positive. However, November Orange Meta, Open AI Not reported Europe, Africa B2B (language
if revenues are small, the success of 2024 translation for
customer care),
those solutions could saddle operators
non-profit
with outsized costs and demands.

Source Company announcements

 The generative telco 68

Considerations for the year ahead

The risks of external-facing AI Whether operators can benefit Whether AI fixes the skills gap
solutions becoming too steep equally from the AI innovation or is held back because of it
to overcome spiral
• There are potential risks of AI when • AI’s chief beneficiaries are the LLM • AI is something of a double-edged
touching end users and end-user data developers and hyperscalers that own sword when it comes to labour. It can
– reputational or regulatory. These them, or have rights of first refusal improve productivity, helping move
may hold back use cases that generate on their onward development. This is resources to higher yielding tasks. The
revenues. unlikely to change anytime soon. potential negative side is from labour
substitution or if the technology
• Compliance risks make AI governance • The ability for operators to put this to
advances faster than skills can keep up
critical, particularly if/as the tech is use will be a function of investment
with.
used for unintended purposes in other and talent resources.
industries. Governance models should • Operators see skills as the main
• Large and small operators will need
be collaborative across the industry. AI investment need. How much
to lean on partners (vendors, cloud
investment is made will be interesting
players and others). Early indications
to monitor.
are positive.
 69

GLOBAL MOBILE TRENDS

In context

5G network innovation

AI and the telco

Consumer 5G

Enterprise 5G: private wireless networks

Enterprise 5G: cloud, edge and automation

Enterprise 5G: the API economy

The generative telco of the future

Driving business
eSIM success beyond genAI
Satellites and NTNs: commercialisation

Satellites, NTNs and 5G: integration and operations

Satellites and NTNs: future roadmap

Energy-efficiency strategies

Circularity
 70

GLOBAL MOBILE TRENDS

AI and the telco of the future

News highlights Why it matters

AI for networks: the RAN is on top

Networks for AI: connectivity will be a key AI enabler

Distributed inferencing and the telco edge: will AI make the edge
networks opportunity a reality for operators?

AI is a double-edge sword for energy

Security remains a top strategic priority but its relationship

with AI is complicated

Considerations for the year ahead 

 AI and the telco of the future 71

News highlights from the last year

• As operators continue to invest in bringing AI into their • As operators look to expand into new markets, the
operations, a focus on RAN and distributed (edge) potential for AI to support operator business extensions
computing was clear, along with added attention on AI and strategic renovation is just as obvious.
by regulators and governments.

FEBRUARY FEBRUARY APRIL MAY SEPTEMBER

AI-RAN Alliance launches Intel announces new Edge Nokia launches Industry 4.0 EU AI Act delivers rules on Dell makes ecosystem play
with industry heavyweights Platform for scaling AI edge compute and AI offer AI development to support distributed AI

The alliance, including ARM, The “modular, open software The MX Grid solution builds Sign-off harmonises regulation The AI for Telecom programme
AWS, Nokia, Ericsson, Microsoft, platform” is aimed at helping on Nokia’s Industrial Edge with a risk-based approach, is positioned as an “ecosystem”
SoftBank and T-Mobile, will work enterprises run, develop, and private wireless assets to which allows high-risk use of partners and Dell assets to
to drive integration of AI into secure and manage edge and support AI/ML processing at the cases (with limits) but bans help telcos deploy AI across their
cellular RAN solutions. AI applications, driven by where network edge for enterprise OT those where risk is deemed networks from core to edge.
data is generated. use cases. unacceptable.
FEBRUARY OCTOBER
FEBRUARY MAY SEPTEMBER
KT reorganises with AI as Qualcomm pushes AI in new
business foundation Viettel integrates Deepsig Swisscom launches Swiss AI Microsoft targets AI power device and network chips
AI/ML into open RAN Platform demands with $30 billion
Announced at MWC24, the fund The chip firm launched the
operator plans to rebrand as Deployed on a virtual RAN Swisscom’s Swiss AI Platform Snapdragon 8 Elite and
an “AICT Service Company” network, Deepsig’s “neural will offer access to AI and genAI Aimed at vital infrastructure Networking Pro A7 Elite (a Wi-Fi
embarking on a company-wide receiver” was built into Viettel- solutions including an AI Work – including data centres and 7 platform). On-device and edge
transformation and recruiting manufactured open RAN Hub for developing AI solutions energy projects to power AI – the AI support feature heavily in
1,000 AI experts. equipment with a claimed and an AI model library. fund will focus on enhancing AI- both.
capacity improvement. related supply chains and energy
sourcing.

Source Company press releases, Mobile World Live

 AI and the telco of the future 72

Why it matters in 2025

Accelerating the shift to ‘tech-co’

Returns and stakeholder The agentic AI era Network implications

demand
AI is the defining technology of All eyes on AI agents. In simple AI for networks. Operators spend
the current age. The potential terms, agents are AI applications billions of dollars on their networks,
benefits to P&L and innovation that perform a specific task on so it is only natural to look for
mean everyone must have a behalf of a user. Simplicity and ways to leverage new technology
strategy. productivity are driving attention innovations to shave these costs.
across industries.
AI needs to earn its keep. Networks for AI. As with genAI,
Traditional measures of RoI can be Operator use cases for AI basic/core AI will require increased
calculated, but the multi-faceted agents are myriad. Many link to network capacity and intelligence
nature of AI means a more holistic automation. Some use cases may to handle traffic loads and shaping.
measure – factoring in non- need to engage other agents – an How much capacity remains to be
financial metrics such as workforce open question for 2025. In any seen and will depend on the extent
upskilling and productivity – is case, AI agents are in line with the to which use cases rely on cellular
more revealing. tech-co business model shift (lean, versus fibre.
B2B focus).
 AI and the telco of the future 73

AI for networks: the RAN is on top

• Optimising the most expensive part of the RAN tops AI investments for operators:
network has obvious benefits. The RAN is example announcements from 2024
operators’ greatest network investment and area
of energy consumption, at around 75% of the
total for the network (which is 90% of operator January Elisa Estonia implemented AI-based energy management for its base stations

energy overall). Energy has remained a stubborn

Rakuten Mobile and Rakuten Symphony demonstrated 25% energy savings through
cost line, accounting for 20–30% of network February
an AI model on RAN Intelligent Controller
opex.
April KT announced the development of AI technologies for power reduction
• RAN at the forefront of AI opportunities.
Vendors and their operator customers have for
some time now put AI at the forefront of cost- May MTS launched an AI-based spectrum refarming solution

saving efforts in 4G and 5G equipment. Proof

points vary but tend to average out at an energy July STC and Nokia deployed an AI-powered operations system on STC’s network
saving of 20–30% per year per site where AI is
being used. There are side benefits – notably September Nvidia AI Aerial was launched to optimise wireless networks and deliver genAI
around smarter traffic management and the use
of radio intelligent controllers and automation. Smartfren and ZTE deployed native AI-based RAN computing

• What next? 6G standards are not due until

T-Mobile, Nvidia, Ericsson and Nokia announced investment in an AI-RAN Innovation Center
2027/2028, but AI is likely to be central in how
operators think about 6G investments, which
will likely be more frugal than with 5G. Learnings SoftBank and Nokia partnered for AI-RAN and 6G development
from AI use in 5G networks now will be key in
shaping 6G roadmaps and commercial strategy. SoftBank and Ericsson collaborated on AI-RAN integration

October SK Telecom and Samsung announced plans to optimise 5G BTS quality with AI

Source operators
 AI and the telco of the future 74

Networks for AI: connectivity will be a key AI enabler

• Networks for AI. Supporting demanding Efficiency currently leads in goals of network investment in AI
connectivity requirements will be the primary What is the primary goal of your network investments in AI for the current year of 2024, and what do
way operator networks support AI. Cellular data you foresee as your primary goal for 2026?
traffic growth is running at around 30% per
year globally, though this is higher in emerging
5G countries where there is pent-up demand
(Asia, parts of Europe). Growth rates are
moderating, but AI is likely to re-inflect the trend.
A combination of more spectrum, smarter traffic
management and offloads will be required.
1 2 3
• Differentiated connectivity on the roadmap.
Where possible, delivering connectivity that 2024 Efficient Improved Revenue
matches the demands of specific AI applications network customer generation
would help monetisation (private wireless and operations experience
edge are good examples). The operator priority
from AI in networks is efficiency for now, but
experience and revenue are on the agenda. 2026 Improved Efficient Revenue
• Moving beyond connectivity – no clear winner. customer network generation
As with other strategic opportunities, operators experience operations
will aim to play as more than just connectivity
providers. Edge capabilities, IoT, orchestration
and hosting compute (GPUaaS) are all possible.

Source GSMA Intelligence Operators in Focus: Network Transformation Survey 2025

 AI and the telco of the future 75

Distributed inferencing and the telco edge: will AI make

the edge networks opportunity a reality for operators?
• Edge for AI. Many AI use cases will AI inference impact: network requirements and parameters
require workloads to be processed
close to the end user for reasons Network requirements Key parameters
including latency, data privacy, Energy Data
resilience and bandwidth efficiency Speeds Latencies Data traffic efficiency sovereignty Resiliency
Industrial IoT and robotics
(e.g. robotics machinery in a car plant). (e.g. automated guided vehicles
or other assets in factories)
• Operators look to the edge.
Operators have always considered Digital twins
edge as an opportunity based
on many assets, including RAN
and distributed core, as well as Predictive network maintenance
touchpoints on user devices. However,
the technology doesn’t matter unless
it is sold effectively. Edge compute is Network troubleshooting and
repairs
a competitive area, with hyperscalers
both competitors and partners.
Customer care
• Orchestration to meet demand. (e.g. chatbots)
Distributed AI will not be a case of ‘all
or nothing’. Workloads will likely be Autonomous vehicles
split across various distributed assets,
meaning orchestration will be needed
to meet demand. That capability is AR and VR
key for operators managing their
own traffic loads, but it can also be
monetised as a service (GPUaaS).
Impact from AI inference:
Early examples in the US and South Increase strongly Increase somewhat No change Decrease somewhat Decrease strongly
Korea point to this. (more than 20%) (up to 20%) (up to 20%) (more than 20%)
Note: As an example, dark green indicates where a use case would require or cause a certain parameter (e.g. data Source GSMA Intelligence
traffic) to increase by more than 20% versus the status quo without using AI. The precise change will depend on the
deployment specifics for an operator and enterprise workload.
 AI and the telco of the future 76

AI is a double-edge sword for energy

• AI drives energy rise. AI solutions are AI’s main energy impact is likely to be on data centres as the workhorses
well-known for consuming massive of the internet
amounts of energy. Even if they Share of global energy consumption
2.5%
did not, an exponential rise in AI
usage promises to drive a massive
increase in energy consumption for all
industries, including telecoms.
2.0%
• Solutions focus on efficiencies. As AI
innovation moves forward, solutions
are making energy efficiency a
priority. More efficient chipsets and 1.5%
architectures that optimise energy
use are likely to become competitive
selling points for Nvidia, Qualcomm,
ARM and other chipset providers.
1.0%
• AI can help drive efficiencies. As
much as AI will cost energy, it could
also save it through downstream
efficiencies. AI can help to drive 0.5%
energy efficiencies in the RAN of up
to 30% per year. This will drive further
vendor-led innovation to improve
energy efficiency. The hyperscalers
2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030
face a greater challenge by owning
the data centres that process most of Telecoms access networks Data centres Data centres Data centres
(no AI, i.e. baseline) (AI at 50% utilisation) (AI at 100% utilisation)
the AI workloads from the cloud.

Source GSMA Intelligence

 AI and the telco of the future 77

Security remains a top strategic priority but its

relationship with AI is complicated
• AI can drive security. AI is a Top network transformation priority for operators
powerful tool for defending against
network and service threats as it
can help learn attack patterns and
vectors. Defences can therefore
be constructed earlier than would 2021 Network security
otherwise be the case.
• AI can drive threats. For all the
value AI can deliver in protecting
operators and their customers
from fraud and security threats, Sustainability
it is also being used to help bad 2022
End-user security at #2 and Network security at #3
actors generate new and innovative
security vulnerabilities.
• Securing AI infrastructure.
Operators already deploy myriad
solutions to secure their networks. 2023 Network security
As AI takes a more prominent role
in how operators run their networks
and deliver new services, they will
need to pay attention to securing
their AI infrastructure and data
centres, considering the high- 2024 End-user security / network security
profile nature of critical national
infrastructure.

Source GSMA Intelligence Operators in Focus: Network Transformation Survey 2025

 AI and the telco of the future 78

Considerations for the year ahead

How close 2025 brings us to AI as Operators’ preparedness to The potential for AI to siphon
the new normal execute on AI’s potential investment from other priorities
• The hype surrounding AI today • There are many examples of operators • Large amounts are being invested in
is because it is new for many integrating AI into their businesses. AI startups and heavyweights, on a
organisations and evolving quickly, The network provides the ‘lowest par with the internet and smartphone
opening up new opportunities. hanging fruit’ because it is the largest waves in the 2000s. A corollary is that
cost centre. However, moves to deploy AI crowds out other priorities. Open
• This is similar to the early days of
AI as a tool to improve customer RAN, for example, requires radio and
cloud, suggesting that at some point it
experience and services are under way. antenna investment, which may take a
will simply become part of business as
How fast will this go? backseat. Key will be framing broader
usual.
demands – or meeting them – with AI.
• Driving cost savings and revenue
opportunities (such as by selling
GPUaaS) entails many requirements
and investments in skills, data assets
and governance. This may open up a
two-tier development path between
large/tier 1 and smaller operators.
 79

GLOBAL MOBILE TRENDS

In context

5G network innovation

eSIM
Consumer 5G

Enterprise 5G: private wireless networks

Enterprise 5G: cloud, edge and automation

Enterprise 5G: the API economy

The generative telco

Moving to a global story
AI and the telco of the future

Satellites and NTNs: commercialisation

Satellites, NTNs and 5G: integration and operations

Satellites and NTNs: future roadmap

Energy-efficiency strategies

Circularity
 80

GLOBAL MOBILE TRENDS

eSIM

News highlights Why it matters

eSIM for consumers seeks global scale

The rise of travel eSIM: a clear use case captures consumer interest

Turning consumer interest into adoption requires education

Five trends should accelerate adoption of eSIM in IoT markets

beyond automotive

The potential for eSIM growth in IoT is significant

Considerations for the year ahead 

 eSIM 81

News highlights from the last year

• Throughout 2024, major operators and vendors of eSIM • eSIM innovation continued in both the consumer and
technology announced new initiatives to accelerate the enterprise markets, demonstrating a growing industry
development of eSIM and iSIM. Areas of development effort to scale eSIM globally.
spanned specifications, products and services.

FEBRUARY FEBRUARY SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER

G+D and China Unicom to Ericsson, Microsoft and Vodafone and Kigen push Vantiva and e& deploy eSIM- G+D and Murata announce
accelerate eSIM rollout Thales trial 5G eSIM tech enterprise connectivity enabled 5G FWA gateway iSIM connectivity module

G+D and China Unicom have Ericsson, Microsoft and Thales Vodafone Business IoT and Kigen Vantiva and e& are deploying an G+D and Murata unveiled
established a cooperation to have partnered with Telia, are collaborating to use iSIM to eSIM-enabled 5G FWA gateway a connectivity module that
promote the development of T-Mobile and SoftBank on a new reduce the time and operational in the UAE, allowing the end-user leverages the new SGP.32 RSP
eSIM technology and explore platform that uses SASE-eSIM burden for enterprises in the to activate the solution without a specification of iSIM technology,
new use cases in vertical areas. to support the secure remote development of IoT products and technician visit and physical SIM designed to support OEM IoT
provisioning of enterprise services. card. deployments.
FEBRUARY devices.
OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER
Thales and Google scale
JUNE
eSIM across Android Apple announces new TIM and Intel test laptops eSIM Go and Vodafone
ecosystem Amdocs simplifies eSIM iPad Mini with 5G and eSIM announce ‘MVNO-in-a-box’
activation with Google Cloud
Thales and Google are Cellular models of the iPad Mini The test involves laptops eSIM Go and Vodafone are
working together to provide Amdocs announced a are activated with eSIM, allowing compatible with 5G networks offering any business with a
a standardised, simple and collaboration with Google Cloud users to quickly connect and and eSIM connectivity. The subscription model the ability to
secure way to activate eSIM to integrate their technologies transfer their existing plans objective is to allow people provide UK mobile services via
subscriptions, for users and and offer an end-to-end eSIM digitally, and store multiple to use cellular connectivity an ‘automated MVNO-in-a-box’
Android device-makers. onboarding solution to CSPs. cellular plans. anywhere and anytime, reducing service.
dependence on Wi-Fi networks.

Source Company press releases

 eSIM 82

Why it matters in 2025

eSIM technology is increasingly available; now it’s time to

drive adoption at scale

Scaling Travel eSIM Beyond automotive

Availability versus adoption. eSIM A clear use case. There is growing Capitalising on the new
technology is now available in use of eSIM for international specifications. Beyond automotive,
flagship consumer devices and in roaming, which explains the eSIM adoption in other verticals
a range of IoT devices. Scaling up proliferation of global providers has been slow. New, enhanced
adoption is the focus of 2025. of roaming connectivity services eSIM specifications should help
(e.g. Airalo, Holafly, eSIM.me) accelerate deployments in 2025.
Consumer education needed.
and interest among operators
While awareness of eSIM is Value beyond the technology.
in monetising inbound roaming
growing, many consumers do eSIM will need to help
through eSIM.
not understand what it is or why enterprises address their IoT
it matters. This highlights the A dual role. Beyond being a deployment challenges (e.g.
need for customer education by primary use case for eSIM, travel cost of implementation, security
operators and OEMs. eSIM will allow consumers to vulnerabilities, and integration).
become familiar with the use of
eSIM.
 eSIM 83

eSIM for consumers seeks global scale

• Adoption remains low beyond the US. Over the last two years, • Much work to do. While eSIM is mainstream in flagship
there has been steady progress on eSIM commercialisation smartphones, there is limited availability of eSIM beyond
across devices, services and new consumer propositions flagships. A wider portfolio of eSIM devices, including mid-
(including digital brands). The launch of eSIM-only iPhones in range and low-end phones, is needed to drive eSIM adoption
the US in September 2022 has acted as a catalyst, accelerating beyond the high-end customer segment and in developing
eSIM deployments and commercial launches globally. However, markets. From a geographical perspective, more than
beyond the US, eSIM adoption remains low, in part because half the world’s countries have launched eSIM service for
most operators have (so far) done little to promote eSIM to smartphones. China is still a notable exception, while Africa is
their customers. Only 8% of eSIM-aware consumers discovered catching up. The next wave of launches will be in developing
the technology via operators. countries across Africa and Asia.

eSIM progress: commercialisation ramps up

Number of consumer eSIM devices that have Number of operators that have launched eSIM service Number of countries that have launched eSIM service
been launched* for smartphones** for smartphones***

441

271

63% are smartphones

123

24 24
45

December 2018 June 2024 December 2018 June 2024 December 2018 June 2024

* Sum of smartphones, tablets and smartwatches (cumulative). ** Sum of MNOs, MVNOs and global providers of international *** Excluding eSIM service for Source GSMA Intelligence
roaming services. international roaming
 eSIM 84

The rise of travel eSIM: a clear use case captures

consumer interest
• Momentum builds. There is growing use of eSIM for • Usage is at just over 50%. Examining eSIM users across
international roaming, which explains the proliferation of 11 countries surveyed, 51% have used eSIM service while
global providers of roaming connectivity services (e.g. travelling abroad for leisure or personal reasons in the past
Airalo, Holafly, eSIM.me) and growing interest among mobile 12 months. Some of these may have used eSIM only while
operators in monetising inbound roaming through eSIM. abroad (no domestic use) and some may have used eSIM
Beyond being a primary use case for eSIM, travel eSIM also both domestically and abroad. Of the 51%, 28% purchased
allows consumers to become familiar with the use of eSIM. an eSIM service from an international provider (MVNO) of
roaming services.

Consumer survey reveals key findings across 11 major countries*

50% of consumers are

aware of eSIM 19% of eSIM-aware consumers
use eSIM

of eSIM users used eSIM of travel eSIM users purchased

51% service while travelling abroad

for leisure or personal reasons
in the past 12 months
28% an eSIM service provided by a
global provider of international
roaming connectivity services

* Aggregate figures across Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Poland, South Korea, Spain, UAE, UK and US Source GSMA Intelligence Consumers in Focus: Global Consumer Survey, August 2024
 eSIM 85

Turning consumer interest into adoption

requires education
• Consumers show interest. Across the 11 countries surveyed, • Transition to eSIM at scale will take time. After a slow
54% of consumers who do not currently use eSIM are start, eSIM adoption in the smartphone market will gain
interested in using eSIM in their smartphone at some point momentum over the next two to three years. GSMA
in the future; 31% are not interested and 14% are unsure. On Intelligence’s baseline scenario predicts 6.9 billion eSIM
a relative basis, satisfaction with using a removable SIM is smartphone connections globally by 2030 (76% of the total
the top reason for not using or being interested in using number of smartphone connections).
eSIM. This is not a surprise since satisfaction with current
technology is the largest barrier to adoption for most new
technologies. Additionally, 13% of consumers said they
do not see the benefits of eSIM, while another 11% do not
understand how eSIM works. This highlights the need for
customer education by operators and OEMs.

Consumer interest in eSIM around the world

Percentage of consumers interested in using eSIM. Base: consumers who do not currently use eSIM
UAE 89%
Italy 62%
Australia 59%
UK 57%
Poland 57%
US 55%
Spain 53%
South Korea 52%
France 48%
Germany 43%
Japan 28%

Source GSMA Intelligence Consumers in Focus: Global Consumer Survey, August 2024
 eSIM 86

Five trends should accelerate adoption of eSIM in

IoT markets beyond automotive
• Addressing the scale imperative. Five trends that should accelerate adoption of eSIM in IoT
eSIM has long been seen as a
significant enabler of IoT deployments.
However, beyond automotive (where Continuous industry-wide work on enhanced eSIM specifications for IoT
eSIM is already mainstream), its
adoption has yet to reach critical mass 1 (e.g. the GSMA’s SGP.32 eSIM IoT technical specification and SGP.33 eSIM IoT
test specification)
in other vertical sectors, where (so far)
there have been individual initiatives
rather than sector-wide deployments
of eSIM. Five trends should help
accelerate eSIM adoption in IoT
markets from 2025 onwards, including
2 The arrival of new IoT technologies such as 5G RedCap and new
developments in satellite that should increase satellite/cellular integration

new enhanced specifications and new

IoT technologies.
• Helping enterprises address their IoT
painpoints. A survey conducted by
3 An expanding range of eSIM IoT devices and eSIM products/solutions from
SIM vendors (aiming for global capabilities and coverage)
GSMA Intelligence in 2024 with around
4,200 enterprises across 10 vertical
sectors and 21 countries revealed
that the top three challenges faced
by enterprises when deploying IoT 4 The growing rollout of private wireless networks
(an incremental use case to watch for eSIM)
solutions are cost of implementation,
potential security vulnerabilities, and
integration with other technologies.
To achieve scale in IoT, eSIM needs
to help enterprises address those IoT 5 The growing emphasis on eSIM as a technology that supports the
sustainability imperative
challenges.
Source GSMA Intelligence
 eSIM 87

The potential for eSIM growth in IoT is significant

• Potential for growth. Today, most IoT cellular connections to reach Market share of eSIM to reach
cellular IoT devices use the traditional, 6 billion globally by 2030 more than 40% by 2030
removable SIM. The number of All SIM form factors, billion
licensed cellular IoT connections (e.g.
cellular M2M and licensed LPWA) will
reach 6.0 billion globally by 2030
(across all SIM form factors), up from
4.0 billion in 2024, with eSIM taking
a growing share of the market (more
than 40% by 2030).
• Alignment on eSIM benefits should 24%
help. It is encouraging to see
alignment between the benefits of 42%
eSIM for IoT deployments expected
by end-user enterprises and those 6.0 bn

promoted by operators. Both centre

on security and scalability. This is
one of the drivers behind growing
4.0 bn 34%
ecosystem collaboration around
global security initiatives such as the
GSMA’s IoT SAFE.
1.9 bn

2020 2024 2030 eSIM iSIM Traditional, removable SIM

Source GSMA Intelligence Source GSMA Intelligence Enterprise in Focus:

Global Digital Transformation Survey 2024
 eSIM 88

Considerations for the year ahead

Mobile operator efforts to push Easing of churn-related concerns The role of enhanced eSIM
eSIM at scale commercially specifications in helping
accelerate adoption of eSIM in IoT
• Mobile operators are increasingly • Looking at the US (by far the largest • Today, proprietary solutions co-exist
launching eSIM services but not eSIM smartphone market in the world with those based on the GSMA eSIM
talking much about eSIM to customers. thanks to the launch of eSIM-only specifications. However, this increases
Raising consumer awareness of eSIM smartphones in September 2022 by costs and raises challenges around
while explaining and promoting its Apple), analysis of data reported by cooperation and interoperability of
benefits is key to drive eSIM adoption. the three largest mobile operators different IoT solutions and platforms,
indicates that eSIM has so far had no which in turn hinder uptake.
• Mobile operators will likely start
impact on consumer churn.
talking more about eSIM to customers • The enhanced eSIM specifications for
in 2025, especially in the context of • This supports the GSMA Intelligence IoT should help the market adopt a
digital-first or digital-only consumer view that eSIM will not lead to churn single approach on global standards
propositions that target digital-native increases in most markets, which and specifications. Such alignment
and tech-savvy customers, and for the should help alleviate churn-related helps the ecosystem overcome
onboarding of new customers. Travel concerns among some operators industry fragmentation and drive
eSIM will continue to gain traction. and other mobile ecosystem players market acceptance worldwide. It also
worldwide. ensures that smaller operators, OEMs
and providers of IoT services continue
to have equal access to market
opportunities.
 89

GLOBAL MOBILE TRENDS

In context

5G network innovation

Satellites
Consumer 5G

Enterprise 5G: private wireless networks

Enterprise 5G: cloud, edge and automation

Enterprise 5G: the API economy

The generative telco and NTNs:

commercialisation
AI and the telco of the future

eSIM

Can you hear me?

Satellites, NTNs and 5G: integration and operations

Satellites and NTNs: future roadmap

Energy-efficiency strategies

Circularity
 90

GLOBAL MOBILE TRENDS

Satellites and NTNs:
commercialisation
News highlights Why it matters

Operator moves in satellite connectivity: a ripple becomes a wave

Coverage and commercialisation extend up and out

Satellite activity by operators spans a footprint of 3.6 billion

Quality of network is still the biggest factor in consumer purchasing

What it’s worth: $30–35 billion, or 2–3% of the operator top line

Considerations for the year ahead 

 Satellites and NTNs: commercialisation 91

News highlights from the last year

• Operators have moved quickly into satellite, with

much of the activity using direct to cell at LEO,
complementing existing services from higher orbits. This
is a global trend and not confined to one or two regions.

FEBRUARY MAY SEPTEMBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER

T-Mobile and SpaceX SmarTone partners with Digicel and SES expand Globalstar, Apple supersize Vodafone group partners
send and receive texts via China Telecom to launch D2D partnership to enhance satellite-to-phone deal with AST SpaceMobile
satellites satellite services disaster response
Apple has doubled down on The operator group has signed
SpaceX successfully sent and The operator has collaborated The operator and satco will its investment in Globalstar to an agreement with satellite
received the first text messages with China Telecom Global on ensure the restoration of critical underpin its constellation and operator AST SpaceMobile
using T-Mobile’s network D2D connectivity via the Tiantong communications following satellite capacity for the OEM. through to 2034 to offer space-
spectrum via one of the direct- Satellite. natural disasters in the Pacific based cellular broadband in its
to-cell satellites. region. DECEMBER home and partner markets.
MAY One NZ launches Starlink
APRIL SEPTEMBER DECEMBER
China Telecom launches D2D satellite SMS service
US approves AT&T, AST satellite connectivity in Globe and Lynk test satellite T-Mobile US and Starlink to
SpaceMobile to conduct SMS in Philippines The operator has launched launch beta for satellite-to-
Hong Kong
Satellite TXT, a direct-to-mobile smartphone SMS service
D2D tests
The operator has launched The operator, in partnership text service powered by Starlink,
The tests will involve uplink direct-to-phone satellite with satellite operator, Lynk, allowing customers in remote The operator has opened
connections from GSM handsets connectivity in Hong Kong. conducted a satellite SMS trial in areas to send messages via registration for the beta of its
to AST’s BlueWalker 3 LEO a remote area of Zambales with satellite. satellite-to-smartphone SMS
satellite. no mobile reception. service.

Source Company press releases, Mobile World Live

 Satellites and NTNs: commercialisation 92

Why it matters in 2025

A year of proof points

Launches Service gains Monetisation

Partnerships are sector-wide. Speed and latencies matter. How much is addressable?
More than 100 operator groups Direct-to-cell speeds are still GSMA Intelligence forecasts an
(70% of market share) have a on average 3–5 Mbps, but addressable revenue opportunity
satellite partnership in place. improvements to latency are of $30–35 billion per year by 2035.
Several of these will move to coming through. This matters This comprises around 65% from
commercial availability in 2025. to consumers and businesses, the consumer segment, 30% from
Many will use direct to cell. because it goes directly to service IoT and 5% from government.
quality and reliability, and, in
A phased transition. Services using Actual revenue? Whether the
turn, whether people will pay for
LEO constellations will typically addressable revenue is converted
satellite.
start with partial service in 2025 will depend on demand and
and reach full 24×7 capabilities in execution. Proof points will be key.
2026/2027.
 Satellites and NTNs: commercialisation 93

Operator moves in satellite connectivity:

a ripple becomes a wave
• Partnerships are sector-wide. Telco satellite and NTN footprint expands
Some 100 telecoms operator
groups representing 70% of global
market share now have satellite
August 2024 November 2024
partnerships.
• Q4 2024 was a period of trials and
beta activity. 2025 is now set to be Operators with satellite service* 91 99
the first proper year of commercial
launches.
• Satellite connectivity is an
industry-wide trend. The fact that
of which live 16 19
satellite has become a trend across
telecoms speaks to the shift in
mindset among operators and the
pragmatism of using non-terrestrial
 of which planned or in testing 75 80
network (NTN) technology to forge
a fourth dimension in connectivity
in addition to mobile, fixed and Mobile connections footprint
Wi-Fi. This opens up a revenue Million 5,826 5,966
opportunity that would otherwise
not be available.
Share of total connections base covered by
satellites and NTNs 67% 68%

* Unique operators or operator groups operating a direct constellation or offering satellite connectivity through Source GSMA Intelligence
one or more partnerships.
 Satellites and NTNs: commercialisation 94

Coverage and commercialisation extend up and out

Operators are active with satellite for mobile integration around the world. The map
below does not provide the full picture, however, as it excludes existing satellite
partnerships purely for maritime, logistics, aviation or enterprise support.

Satellite coverage of telecoms operators expands around the world

Satellite connectivity not yet launched but either planned or in testing phase Satellite connectivity launched by one operator Satellite connectivity launched by two or more operators

Note some countries may not be shaded but still have operators with satellite partnerships not publicly disclosed Source GSMA Intelligence
Data correct to November 2024.
 Satellites and NTNs: commercialisation 95

Satellite activity by operators spans a footprint of

3.6 billion
• The 70% market share translates into an addressable mobile • Operators are often choosing to work with multiple satellite
base of around 6 billion people for (live or planned) satellite- constellation providers (1.35 on average). This is likely
based services. China and India dominate the picture because they want to cover their entire footprint if they
by virtue of their large populations, but coverage is also have multiple regions (e.g. Telefónica or Vodafone) and/or to
increasing in Europe and Latin America. hedge against future satellite consolidation.

Partnerships between telecoms operators and satellite companies

Number of mobile subscribers (million)
1,004 479 423 270 240 218
China Mobile Reliance Jio China Telecom Vodafone Group MTN Group Orange Group
China India China

Amazon (Project Kuiper) AST SpaceMobile,

SpaceIoT AST, Intelsat AST SpaceMobile, Eutelsay OneWeb,
Omnispace SES
241
353 204 161
Telefónica Group
Bharti Airtel Deutsche Telekom Group Telekomsel
India

Intelsat,
AST SpaceMobile, OQ Technology,
Eutelsat OneWeb, Sateliot, Skylo,
SES Eutelsat Oneweb, Hughes Sateliot, Viasat Viasat AST SpaceMobile

Note: The number of mobile subscribers for each operator or group represents the addressable footprint for a partnership, assuming national satellite coverage. Source GSMA Intelligence
Data correct to November 2024
 Satellites and NTNs: commercialisation 96

Quality of network is still the biggest factor in

consumer purchasing
• Coverage gaps drive demand. Gaps How important is full network coverage (if it were possible)?
in mobile network coverage are Percentage of respondents that said very important
the main driver for people using a
100%
satellite service if available through
their mobile operator.
• Dissatisfaction evident for on-the-
go experience. Some 70–85% of
80%
consumers feel home coverage is
very important (see chart). Further
survey data suggests they feel that
requirement at home is broadly
being met. However, there is a gap 60%
between coverage asks and what
people feel the receive when on the
go (e.g. travelling on a train) and
when abroad. 40%
• Network quality still most
important. Addressing the gap is
the value proposition for mobile
operators that incorporate satellite 20%
into their networks. Quality of
network coverage is still the No.1
factor determining consumer
purchasing decisions.
0%
South Africa Brazil US Indonesia Australia UK France Total

Home On the go (in-country) Travelling abroad

Source GSMA Intelligence Satellite Consumer Attitudes Survey, June 2024

 Satellites and NTNs: commercialisation 97

What it’s worth: $30–35 billion, or 2–3%

of the operator top line
• Survey points to premiums. The addressable revenue via wholesale satellite partnerships amounts to
Consumer survey evidence suggests more than $30 billion per year by 2035
pricing uplifts of 5–8% if satellite is
35
included in a tariff. Whether that $ billion
actually happens is, of course, $2.45
unknown. Operators are likely to
30
have different pricing strategies. The
$1.83
enterprise opportunity is there but
is more varied. From the starting $1.20 $10.39
point that 20% of businesses say 25
they use or intend to use satellite as $8.94

part of their connectivity, and mixing $7.54

in expected commercialisation 20
timelines, we can gain a sector view
of demand for NTNs.
• The addressable revenue is an 15

incremental $30–35 billion per

year by 2035. Of this, consumers
$19.90
represent about 65%, B2B/IoT 10 $17.14
$17.90

30% and government and defence

5%. How much is earnt in practice
will depend on demand, service 5
availability (2025–2027 being the
main funnel for launches), quality
and price. 0
2025 2030 2035

Consumer Enterprise/B2B Government

Source GSMA Intelligence

 Satellites and NTNs: commercialisation 98

Considerations for the year ahead

Timing of commercial launches How much satellite service shows up The role of the ‘X factors’
of satellite services, and how in reporting by operators
much is phased from partial to
full service
• 2025 is the first full year when • A key unknown is how much the • Starlink’s impact on the sector is
telecoms operators will start to offer mobile operators report on satellite clear. It has established a first-mover
satellite service to their customers, service. Number of customers, impact advantage and is spurring activity
much of which will come through on ARPU, revenue and coverage are among its competitors.
direct-to-cell partnerships. all examples of useful KPIs that would
• Apple’s moves with Globalstar are
provide visibility of progress.
• This is likely to be a phased process interesting. Any indications on if/when
over 2–3 years, with many of the services extend to higher bandwidth
constellations not yet operational or applications (i.e. data) will matter in
only partially so (offering, for example, how fast the rest of the industry moves.
2–3 hours per day rather than 24×7).
Does that affect consumer and
business satisfaction?
 99

Introducing Two-Way Communications at the Edge

Low-power, low latency Bluetooth sensor network
CELEBRATING
Zero-Touch Provisioning Realm Edge Applications Platform
YEARS
Simplified solutions development
for direct to IoT devices
Globalstar.com
 100

GLOBAL MOBILE TRENDS

In context

5G network innovation

Satellites, NTNs
Consumer 5G

Enterprise 5G: private wireless networks

Enterprise 5G: cloud, edge and automation

Enterprise 5G: the API economy

The generative telco and 5G: integration

and operations
AI and the telco of the future

eSIM

Satellites and NTNs: commercialisation

Small beginnings but a

Satellites and NTNs: future roadmap
larger opportunity looms
Energy-efficiency strategies

Circularity
 101

GLOBAL MOBILE TRENDS

Satellites, NTNs and 5G:
integration and operations
News highlights Why it matters

Satellite has served as backhaul for IoT

Satellite providers are looking to put 5G in space

Industry verticals are driving demand for NTN-5G combined coverage

Installed base of satellite devices can be brought into the mainstream

through interoperability with a 5G core

The future offers the prospect of integrated NTN/5G devices

Considerations for the year ahead 

 Satellites, NTNs and 5G: integration and operations 102

News highlights from the last year

• Satellite operators are looking to move beyond early • The 3GPP is increasing its efforts in 5G and NTN
use cases as a backhaul technology. Integration with 5G integration, with a phased approach that from Release 17
is designed to increase their addressable market and will extend beyond NB-IoT use cases to fully fledged 5G
enable legacy devices to be managed over a common NR from space.
interface.

FEBRUARY FEBRUARY JULY SEPTEMBER NOVEMBER

Seamless Air Alliance to China Mobile launches UK companies integrate KT succeeds in 5G NTN 5G-EMERGE expands
integrate 3GPP 5G NTN satellites for testing of 5G advanced 5G system into satellite communication consortium and advances
standards for aviation and 6G integration aircraft towards implementation in
KT and its subsidiary KT SAT
its second phase
Seamless Air Alliance is looking China Mobile has reportedly Several UK companies led by have tested integration of their
to integrate 5G NTN standards to launched two satellites into Stratospheric Platforms Limited Koreasat 6 satellite with 5G The European research initiative
improve in-flight connectivity. space in low Earth orbit to test in Cambridge have successfully terrestrial networks. has entered its second phase,
5G and 6G integration with integrated a 5G connectivity with a growing consortium and
NOVEMBER
FEBRUARY satellite connectivity. system onto a Britten-Norman a new cooperation agreement
Mavenir and Terrestar aircraft in a test. Eseye and Sateliot join signed.
JUNE
partner for satellite open forces for IoT connectivity
SEPTEMBER DECEMBER
RAN integration Pegatron launches with seamless satellite-
5G-satellite integrated SoftBank Corp. and Intelsat terrestrial integration Eutelsat signs agreement
Terrestar will launch a new NB- system for cargo ships collaborate to create with Airbus for 100 LEO
IoT service with the aim to evolve ubiquitous network Eseye and Sateliot have joined satellites to expand OneWeb
to a full direct-to-device offering Pegatron 5G has launched a new forces to enable LPWAN with
constellation
in 2025, with Mavenir providing system that offers a 5G network SoftBank and Intelsat signed an multi-RAT connectivity, based on
core and ORAN technology. on cargo ships with satellite agreement that will lead to the 3GPP Rel 17 specs. Eutelsat Group has signed a
integration and connectivity. launch of a single “ubiquitous contract with its partner Airbus
network” enabling customers Defence and Space to build the
to stay connected everywhere extension of its OneWeb LEO
they go. constellation.

Source Company press releases

 Satellites, NTNs and 5G: integration and operations 103

Why it matters in 2025

Satellite connectivity will begin to address the digital divide

Larger addressable market Strong NTN roadmap Integration efforts to start

before standards
Industry verticals will look to Existing VSAT providers will look
move beyond satellite as backhaul to leverage 5G. This will enable Technology is available today
only. The IoT revenue opportunity them to extend beyond their initial for integration with the 5G core.
alone could be measured in billions offerings. Several providers will Access gateway function (AGF)
of dollars. explore how to integrate with 3GPP. technology is available to help
satellite providers connect their
Partial service with LEO will Direct to cell will push NTNs
devices to a 5G core for easier
expand. With several constellations towards integration with 5G. 2025
management.
coming online in 2025 and expected will see direct to cell for messaging
integration work with 5G coming, launched widely. However, Operators will push for a network
the addressable market will grow. momentum will pick up for voice that offers seamless coverage.
calling too. Mobile operators and NTN
Operators to target consumers
providers will begin discussing
as well as enterprises. Bridging Resilience in the network and
building a truly integrated network
the digital divide will become disaster recovery will drive
for seamless coverage. This would
the first target user group, with NTN-5G integration. A number
also imply conversations around
unconnected users in the millions of factors will accelerate the
integrated devices, which would
across the world. However, IoT use industry’s adoption of NTN-5G
require support at the chipset level
cases will come into play too. integrated networks.
and above.
 Satellites, NTNs and 5G: integration and operations 104

Satellite has served as backhaul for IoT

• IoT connectivity is important for Maritime example: a 5G network with satellite links serving as the
verticals but comes with coverage backhaul to the core network
gaps. Several industry verticals
need year-round IoT connectivity
for their end points. However,
terrestrial networks do not have
truly global coverage. Verticals such
as maritime have adopted solutions
that combine a 5G network with Satellite
satellite links serving as the backhaul
backhaul to the core network. A
base station and core network are
IoT cellular
deployed on a ship, forming a local operator
network which provides for voice,
SMS and IoT devices. At the other
end of the link, a 5G core network is
placed next to the satellite ground
station, which then connects back
to the application data centres and
roaming networks.
IoT application
• NB-IoT extends to satellite with servers can now
reach IoT devices
3GPP Release 17. Release 17 which would
standards have provided for NB- otherwise be
unreachable
IoT connectivity over satellite Local coverage
constellations. These are typically cellular
GEO satellites to begin with,
extending to LEO.
Source Druid Software, 2024
 Satellites, NTNs and 5G: integration and operations 105

Satellite providers are looking to put 5G in space

• Legacy satellite providers are exploring 5G for Diverse use-case latency requirements can be served by
space. Incumbent mobile-satellite service (MSS) different satellite constellations
providers such as Viasat, Echostar, Intelsat and
Eutelsat, as well as several fixed-satellite service
(FSS) operators are exploring the potential of
putting 5G in space. The biggest draw is to extend
their addressable market by connecting many
more devices and end points. MSS will operate in
L/S bands, while FSS will operate in Ku/Ka bands,
with the latter allowing higher bandwidth.
• The European Space Agency is launching an LEO
constellation. It has committed €10.6 billion to
launch a LEO constellation across Europe, with
plans for integration with 5G NTN standards. LEO Low Earth Orbit
• Release 19 of 3GPP is the first to incorporate 5G Antennas in motion
200–1,500 km
NR for space. While the technology is already
Latency: 20–25 milliseconds
available, true integration of 5G NR and satellite
will not happen until Release 19. Satellites can
MEO Medium Earth Orbit
receive software upgrades, so they do not have to
Antennas in motion
be replaced. 10,000–20,000 km
• Inter-satellite communications is coming. Latency: 110–130 milliseconds
Release 19 offers the prospect of inter-satellite
communications, which would mean providers GEO Geostationary Orbit
can opt for regenerative architectures. This would Stationary antennas
also require having a small-instance 5G core on 35,786 km
the satellites. Latency: 250–280 milliseconds

Source GSMA Intelligence

 Satellites, NTNs and 5G: integration and operations 106

Industry verticals are driving demand for NTN-5G

combined coverage
• Several verticals are already More enterprises are planning for satellite to augment connectivity
using combined cellular/satellite
connectivity for IoT. These include Top five vertical sectors Percentage of enterprises expecting to use satellite
in their IoT deployments
maritime, utilities with distributed
field area networks, oil & gas and
energy. However, this has been for Media and
narrowband, discontinuous coverage. entertainment 21%

• Demand is growing for full 5G and

NTN coverage. Several verticals need
to go beyond discontinuous coverage.
Transportation, logistics
For continuous and truly global and warehousing 20%
coverage, they require integrated 5G
NR and NTN networking. Media and
entertainment is an example here.
Manufacturing and
• A new wave of industry verticals industrial sectors 19%
with new use cases is emerging.
Verticals with new use cases requiring
24×7 connectivity include defence,
retail, agriculture, oil & gas, cruise Financial services
17%
liners and the aeronautical industry.
Cars and logistics vehicles also fall
into this category; these make cross-
border journeys, hence the need for
ubiquitous coverage and roaming with Healthcare
15%
NTNs. However, 5G NR over satellite
is essential for the higher bandwidth
needed for such use cases to succeed.
Source GSMA Intelligence Enterprise in Focus: Global Digital Transformation Survey 2024
 Satellites, NTNs and 5G: integration and operations 107

Installed base of satellite devices can be brought into

the mainstream through interoperability with a 5G core
• Millions of VSAT devices have Linking it all together: example from Druid
already been rolled out. An estimated The installed base of satellite devices can be integrated into a 5G network core
6 million VSAT terminals have been
deployed. This large number is
OSS/BSS 5G
being offered by different providers, service based architecture
each with their own proprietary
systems, which renders them non-
interoperable. These could be in
airplanes, ships and trucks, for
example.
AMF SMF AUSF
• The devices can be abstracted
onto a 5G core. To include these
N1/N2 N4
devices into the larger 3GPP
ecosystem, the devices and their
proprietary interfaces would need VSAT VSAT AGF
Control Plane N3 UPF N6 Data
Modem Hub network
to be abstracted through an access
User Plane

gateway function (AGF), which would

provide the bridging function to a 5G
core. Once they are connected to a
5G core, operators can provision and
manage the devices using standard
3GPP approaches.
• AGFs are installed at the VSAT
teleports. The AGFs would be spread
across each provider’s ground station Proprietary VSAT Platforms Raemis™ Core Network
(3GPP compliant)
teleports. Connections to the 5G core
would be made from there.
Source Druid Software, 2024
 Satellites, NTNs and 5G: integration and operations 108

The future offers the prospect of integrated

NTN/5G devices
• Research is under way on the Integrated 5G and NTN networks will bring seamless global coverage
prospect of a ubiquitous network.
Mobile operators such as SoftBank
have already started to invest R&D
enabling them to create a multi-
layered network that would provide Satellite
seamless coverage across terrestrial,
HAPS and satellite networks.
• The ubiquitous network would
build on 3GPP standards.
SoftBank’s recent collaboration with
Intelsat will base R&D on familiar
3GPP standards, for example.
• A ubiquitous network offers the
prospect of integrated NTN/5G
devices. Hybrid networks will
need hybrid devices. For example,
a connected car will require a
single device that can connect to
both terrestrial and non-terrestrial
networks seamlessly. To do this,
there would have to be support
from the chipset level by players Base
station
such as Qualcomm and Mediatek.
Moreover, support would have to be
all the way through the technology
stack.
Source GSMA Intelligence
 Satellites, NTNs and 5G: integration and operations 109

Considerations for the year ahead

Whether enterprises increasingly Legacy VSAT devices integrated The prospect of true voice
use satellite connectivity for IoT with 5G connectivity over NTNs
use cases
• 2025 will see VSAT terminals • 2025 will see the foundations laid for
• 2025 will see a groundswell of service connected to a 5G core through the direct to cell beyond SMS. This will
launches and extensions whereby deployment of the AGF. This will include low-bandwidth voice calling at
service providers increasingly use enable millions of devices to become first. However, as we approach Release
satellite backhaul to extend coverage visible to the 5G core and managed in 19 deployments over the next few
for IoT use cases. Moreover, there a consistent way for service providers. years, we will see true regenerative
will be instances of private 5G being architectures for LEO satellites, with
deployed on ships, trains and other inter-satellite links and full 5G NR
vehicles for local coverage, with connectivity with voice and mobility
satellite backhaul going to a 5G core. features.
 110

Features

Non-terrestrial networks
ARM capability
AGF: mediator to 5G core
enabled, optimised and secured Customisation beyond 3GPP
Use Cases
NBIoT service at scale
with RaemisTM The multi-purpose cellular
network platform Direct to Device
Smart farming
& much more

find out more about the power of AGF here

 111

GLOBAL MOBILE TRENDS

In context

5G network innovation

Satellites and
Consumer 5G

Enterprise 5G: private wireless networks

Enterprise 5G: cloud, edge and automation

Enterprise 5G: the API economy

The generative telco NTNs: future

roadmap
AI and the telco of the future

eSIM

Satellites and NTNs: commercialisation

Satellites, NTNs and 5G: integration and operations

There when you need it
Energy-efficiency strategies

Circularity
 112

GLOBAL MOBILE TRENDS

Satellites and NTNs:
future roadmap
News highlights Why it matters

Direct to cell is all the rage (for now)…

…particularly as the device and chipset world moves

Don’t forget about IoT and enterprise

Two spectrum camps have their own approaches, with trade-offs

The outlook revolves around key open questions

Considerations for the year ahead 

 Satellites and NTNs: future roadmap 113

News highlights from the last year

• There has been a swell of activity around direct to cell, • Starlink and AST are the main pacesetters at LEO.
including partnerships and pilots to test impacts on
spectrum and service.

JANUARY MARCH MAY SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER

AST SpaceMobile raises Sateliot plans to launch four OQ Technology authorised to AST SpaceMobile launches LG Uplus publishes 6G white
funding from AT&T, Vodafone 5G-IoT satellites run live demos of 5G NTN IoT BlueBird satellites for D2D paper on non-terrestrial
and Google in US service in US networks
The satellite operator, in
Vodafone and AT&T have partnership with SpaceX, is The FCC has granted a The satellite operator launched The operator has published the
purchased network equipment, planning to launch four new Special Temporary Authority its first five BlueBird satellites, whitepaper for the development
while Google is collaborating to satellites, expanding its LEO 5G to demonstrate 5G NTN designed to provide D2D services of 6G services.
bring NTNs to Android. IoT constellation. IoT coverage over LEO for to standard smartphones.
experiments. DECEMBER
FEBRUARY APRIL SEPTEMBER
Kyivstar signs agreement
US approves AT&T and AST JULY
Skylo demonstrates NTN- Australia streamlines with Starlink to launch D2D
based SMS communication SpaceMobile to conduct D2D KDDI achieves 4G tunnel spectrum access for satellite satellite services
tests coverage with Satellite mobile services
The proof of concept involved Mobile Link and Starlink The operator has entered into
sending messages from Skylo’s The spectrum includes FirstNet Australia’s regulator, ACMA, an agreement with Starlink to
California office to standard and, separately, AT&T’s 835 –845 Previously, a cellular network announced that IMT-based launch direct-to-cell satellite
mobile phones in Australia, India, MHz band in Texas, as well as was only established outside the satellite direct-to-mobile communication services in
Finland and the US. the 825–835 MHz band in Hawaii. tunnel. The new setup extends a services can operate under Ukraine.
4G LTE antenna into the tunnel Australia-wide spectrum
via optical cable. licences without needing further
approval.

Source Company press releases

 Satellites and NTNs: future roadmap 114

Why it matters in 2025

Satellite is here to stay

Direct to cell The business dimension Regulation and consolidation

Satellite underpins USP. The ability Myriad sectors. IoT connectivity Spectrum: two camps, with
to have full national coverage and from satellite is fast emerging, trade-offs. Satellite constellation
when abroad in partner markets underpinned by business demand. providers broadly use one of
is a competitive selling point for This covers many sectors, including two spectrum strategies – MSS
operators. logistics and agriculture. or terrestrial repurposed. Both
have their advantages. The key
Disaster recovery. Resilience $10 billion opportunity. The
is understanding the trade-offs.
and connectivity following a addressable revenue base for IoT
Regulatory approval, time to
disaster are also firmly in play. The connectivity from satellite is $10
market, risk of interference and
T-Mobile/Starlink service following billion per year by 2035, which
overall capacity (which influences
Hurricane Milton is one example. should be helped by upgrades with
potential consolidation) are all
Release 18.
factors.
 Satellites and NTNs: future roadmap 115

Direct to cell is all the rage (for now)…

• Momentum is building. The direct- Telco-satellite partnerships and delivery mode
to-cell phenomenon is driving a
significant amount of telco-satellite UN IQUE TELEC OMS OPERATOR PART NERS H I PS D ELI V ERY M O D E

partnerships. GSMA Intelligence

Live Planned Change in live/planned Direct to BTS Direct to cell  
data indicates that, for AST, Starlink Three months to Nov 2024
and Lynk, direct to cell powers the
majority of their telco partnerships
for satellite service integrating with
AST SpaceMobile 0 28 4 43% 57%

mobile networks.
• Phased launches are likely. Starlink 3 15 1 50% 50%
We are likely to see a phased
transition, where satellite
constellations at LEO start by Lynk 1 15 1 19% 81%
offering partial service (2–3 hours
per day) in 2025/2026 when
satellites are overhead. This then Eutelsat OneWeb 3 8 - 91% 9%
expands to 24×7 offerings to the
polar latitudes by 2027/2028.
SES 3 7 - 100%

Others 7 32 2 59% 41%

Total/average 17 105 8 55% 45%

Source GSMA Intelligence

 Satellites and NTNs: future roadmap 116

…particularly as the device and chipset world moves

A factor that influences when consumers or businesses using The chipmakers have all broadly developed NTN compatibility,
IoT sensors and devices can use satellite is at what point including Qualcomm, Intel and Samsung. Device makers are
device makers incorporate NTNs into their portfolios. expected to follow suit as new models are released. Service
capabilities will improve with Release 18, because satellite
will work with 5G-Advanced as well as offering deeper
functionality for IoT and drones.

Satellite capabilities get better with each standards release

Maiden standards Direct to cell Incorporates New spectrum ?

5G-Advanced bands

Release 17 Release 18 Release 19

2022 2024 2026

Emergency Deeper integration Drones/

5G NR and IoT response (incl. RedCap) UAVs

Source GSMA Intelligence, 3GPP

 Satellites and NTNs: future roadmap 117

Don’t forget about IoT and enterprise

• The range of industries wishing to Some 2.0–2.5 billion IoT devices sit within the satellite addressable base:
tap into satellite connectivity is breakdown by vertical
wide. It appeals particularly to those
26% Utilities
with company premises in rural or 21% Automotive (connected cars)
remote areas (e.g. mining, oil & gas), 12% Agriculture
and those that deal in asset tracking 11% Manufacturing
(e.g. logistics, automotive). 11% Oil and gas
11% Mining
• Revenues are not insignificant. 6% Healthcare
Release 18 adds functionality and 1% Commercial haulage
compatibility for NTNs with RedCap 1% Shipping/maritime
IoT devices, which may increase
the addressable base. Pricing is
highly variable, with ARPU levels
for IoT modules usually significantly
less than $1 per month (except
connected car subscriptions).
Overall addressable revenues
are therefore uncertain. GSMA
Intelligence’s base scenario is that
IoT revenues enabled by satellite
can reach $10 billion per year by
2035. This represents around 25%
of the amount mobile operators
currently make from IoT.

Source GSMA Intelligence

 Satellites and NTNs: future roadmap 118

Two spectrum camps have their own approaches,

with trade-offs
Satellite groups are
either using MSS MSS Terrestrial (repurposed)

spectrum globally
Companies
harmonised by the
Viasat Omnispace Echostar Starlink
ITU, or repurposing
existing terrestrial Terrestar Ericsson Iridium AST SpaceMobile
spectrum purchased
by mobile operators. Globalstar Yahsat Qualcomm Lynk
Both will likely co-
exist. The key is
understanding their Bands L band (1.5–2.5 GHz) Depends on holdings of partner operator
trade-offs. S band (2.2–2.7 GHz) T-Mobile US, Salt = 1.9 GHz
One NZ = 1.8 GHz
AT&T, Verizon = 850 MHz
Sub-1 GHz (Pacific Islands, Africa)

Positives • Ready-made option (harmonised by ITU) • Telco buy-in = speeds up time to market
• Vendor and chipset ecosystem on board • Potential performance advantage
• Minimises risk of interference

Risks • Device side still needs time • Country-by-country regulatory approval slows time to
• High competition market
• Eventual consolidation? • Risk of interference
• No say in standards

Source GSMA Intelligence

 Satellites and NTNs: future roadmap 119

The outlook revolves around key open questions

How much and how fast satellite services are monetised
by telecoms operators depends on factors related to
technology, business models and regulation/spectrum.

Technology Commercial Regulatory

Network performance: does it move Integration costs and set up: how Spectrum: interference mitigations?
beyond ‘3G-like?’ can operators minimise opex/capex Borrowing terrestrial? MSS?
vis-à-vis NTN integration?

Satellite longevity: does it lengthen? Landing rights: is global alignment

By how much? Willingness to pay: will people pay possible?
more for satellite, and by how much?

D2D: is it the real deal? NTN standards integration and 6G:

Proving the revenue story: to what NTN impact from 5G-Advanced
extent do reported revenue and and 6G?
Chipsets and handsets: how quickly subscribers connected by NTNs show
is NTN integrated? How fast can up? Do operators disclose the NTN
people tap in? impact?

Source GSMA Intelligence

 Satellites and NTNs: future roadmap 120

Considerations for the year ahead

Seeing is believing IoT take-up Starlink’s impact
• Satellite service is a potential game- • How many businesses will take on • Starlink has been a trendsetter; 2025
changer because it offers coverage satellite for their IoT assets? This will is expected to be no different. Beyond
where it would otherwise be depend on service availability and T-Mobile US, so far it has direct-to-
unavailable. sales channel activity. Most sales are cell mobile service partners in Canada
likely to go through the operator but (Rogers), Australia (Optus), New
• Speeds and latencies will matter
not exclusively. Other models such Zealand (One), Switzerland (Salt),
more as satellite service are adopted,
as resellers and satellite-led sales Ukraine (Kyivstar), Peru and Chile
especially by businesses. Initial
distribution may come into play. (both Entel). How fast it opens up
indications on latencies at sub-50 ms
service in other countries will be a
from LEO orbits are solid, but it
key indicator of the viability of the
remains to be seen if these hold as
terrestrial spectrum model.
capacity rises.
 SPACE FOR 5G/6G
Drive standardisation

Convergence of terrestrial networks

and non-terrestrial networks

Direct-to-Device

Fund industry and academia

Innovative 5G/6G hubs and testbeds

Foster use cases and applications

Overcome the digital divide

LLEEAARRNNMMOORREE:: CCO
ONNECTIIVVIITTYY..EESSAA.I.INNTT/S/S
PPAA
CEC-E5-G5-G6-G6G

Follow us: @ESATelecoms ESA Connectivity and Secure Communications @esaconnectivity.esa.int Get in touch: 5G@esa.int
 122

GLOBAL MOBILE TRENDS

In context

5G network innovation

Energy-efficiency
Consumer 5G

Enterprise 5G: private wireless networks

Enterprise 5G: cloud, edge and automation

Enterprise 5G: the API economy

The generative telco strategies

Saving carbon,
AI and the telco of the future

eSIM

saving money
Satellites and NTNs: commercialisation

Satellites, NTNs and 5G: integration and operations

Satellites and NTNs: future roadmap

Circularity
 123

GLOBAL MOBILE TRENDS

Energy-efficiency strategies

News highlights Why it matters

The energy burden remains

Cost pressures: reducing energy has a magnifying impact on

profitability

Energy efficiency is moving in the right direction but with variation

Renewables: market support is starting to feed through to higher usage

Creative solutions required: the electricity frontier may only go so far

Considerations for the year ahead 

 Energy-efficiency strategies 124

News highlights from the last year

• 2024 saw a deeper focus on energy efficiency across

the network and, in parallel, more detailed models of
renewable energy access. This includes operators as
anchor tenants for renewable builds, helping attract
investment capital from infrastructure investors.

FEBRUARY MARCH JUNE SEPTEMBER NOVEMBER

Telstra and Ericsson boost Vodafone and Intel extend MasOrange reports Telefónica and Statkraft sign Vodafone Group launches
5G core efficiency with AMD collaboration for energy- reduction in carbon five-year renewable energy energy initiatives to
microprocessors efficient open RAN emissions deal ensure connectivity during
blackouts
The companies are working on The ongoing research, based The operator announced it has The operator has signed a five-
broader initiatives to improve at Vodafone’s innovation centre cut carbon dioxide equivalent year power purchase agreement The operator group is
energy efficiency through in Malaga, Spain, focuses on emissions by 24,000 tonnes with Statkraft to ensure 100% implementing two innovative
different power management 4th Gen Intel Xeon processor over the past five years (Scope of its energy comes from energy solutions to ensure
features and solutions within deployment for Vodafone’s UK 1 and 2) as part of its net-zero renewable sources. continuous service during power
Telstra’s RAN. network in H1 2024. emissions goal. outages.
NOVEMBER
FEBRUARY JUNE SEPTEMBER DECEMBER
Zain and Ericsson launch
Huawei unveils green Du develops Solar on Tower Smartfren and ZTE deploy hybrid power solution Telia pilots hydrogen-
solutions at MWC 2024 Project HI-RAN energy conservation powered site for extended
solutions Zain aims to reduce fuel usage,
backup
The company introduced the The operator has developed achieving a daily average of 25%
Site Virtual Power Plant (VPP) and patented the Solar on The operator in partnership reduction in fuel consumption, The operator piloted a mobile
Distributed Energy Storage Tower Project to reduce the with ZTE has successfully lowering operational costs site near Stockholm that
System (DESS) Solution and environmental impact of its implemented Hybrid-Intelligent associated with diesel refilling combines hydrogen, fuel cells,
SmartDC data centre solution at operations. Radio Access Network (HI-RAN) and maintenance. solar cells and batteries to
MWC. based energy conservation extend backup power from
solutions. 4 hours to 110 days.

Source Company press releases

 Energy-efficiency strategies 125

Why it matters in 2025

Energy is a centripetal force

Cost pressures Net zero looms Sustainable models

Energy cost issue persists. Energy The 2030 milestone approaches. Diesel traps to be avoided. Africa,
represents a stubbornly high 2030 is the first decade milestone Southeast Asia and India all still
share of opex for operators, at for net zero by 2050. This means skew high for diesel use as a share
20% on average. This cost is still 50% cuts in carbon output versus of energy consumption. This
experiencing upward pressure, 2021. The sector remains well comes from weak grid connections
from market volatility and 5G-led behind the pace required to reach in rural areas. Reducing this is
consumption rises. this. important for financial and energy
sustainability.
Profitability and investment The long game remains to
are affected. There is a follow- decarbonise. This is despite New financing is key. Financing
on impact from energy costs on political leanings not always being models involving operators, tower
profitability and, by extension, the pro-climate. Decarbonisation is companies and infrastructure
cash to invest in network upgrades, financially beneficial over time as investors are key to unlocking mini
new builds and other priorities cost savings feed through from grids to drive renewable usage in
such as AI. renewables and as product sales rural areas.
with energy efficiency as a selling
point are sold into enterprise
segments.
 Energy-efficiency strategies 126

The energy burden remains

• Rising to the 1% challenge. Operators and hyperscalers account for around 1%
Telecoms operators and of global energy consumption
hyperscalers each account for Percentage of global total
around 1% of global energy
consumption. While that sounds Electricity usage Carbon output
small, it is large in terms of actual
value. This makes the transition
to renewables and having a more Total mobile and fixed line networks​ 1.1% 0.3%
energy-efficient network equally
important.
 Mobile networks
• AI adds to an already pressing (excluding operator data centres) 0.6% 0.2%
challenge. AI is likely to effect an
increase in consumption in the
near term (2–3 years), particularly Fixed line networks 0.5% 0.1%
in public data centres. This can be
offset by AI helping to improve
energy efficiencies, but this may
only be felt in the latter part of the Total data centres​ 1.3% 0.3%
decade.

Operator​data centres 0.07% 0.02%

Hyperscaler and other​data centres 1.2% 0.3%

Source GSMA Intelligence

 Energy-efficiency strategies 127

Cost pressures: reducing energy has a magnifying

impact on profitability
• Opex hit by the cost of energy. At 20% of opex, energy amounts to 5% of revenue for operators
Energy remains a stubbornly high Percentage of service revenue
cost line for operators, at around
20% of opex. This has not changed
significantly over the last four years,
driven by growing consumption
and the fact that wholesale energy 35%
prices remain high, with geopolitical
volatility.
• The impact flows through to
profitability. The energy cost flows
directly through to profitability and
the cashflow needed for network 23%
and AI investments. For an operator
with a 35% EBITDA margin, energy
amounts to 5% of mobile service
revenue. Reducing energy costs
by even 10% would (all else being 18%
equal) see EBTIDA improve by
1.5 pp.
5%

19%

Network opex Energy Capex Other costs (SG&A) Margin

(excl. energy)

Source GSMA Intelligence

 Energy-efficiency strategies 128

Energy efficiency is moving in the right direction

but with variation
• Efficiency improving. Operators are Africa: mobile network energy efficiency remains a challenge for most
seeing better energy efficiency in KWh per GB
networks (both fixed and mobile).
GSMA Intelligence analysis of the 2.0
mobile network landscape indicates
average total efficiency is now
0.12 kWh per GB, compared to
0.19 kWh per GB in 2022.
• Challenges remain. Variation 1.5
in efficiency results reflects
the challenges many still face.
Operators in Africa are high on
the list. According to analysis of
45 networks, many plot above the
1.0
global average for KWh per GB, and
some by up to 10×. While much of
this comes down to having to still
retire 3G networks, the impact on
costs takes place day in, day out.
0.5

0.0 45 operators (anonymised)

Network energy efficiency (kWh per GB) Global average

Source GSMA Intelligence Telco Energy Benchmark 2024 and study of 45 African mobile networks
 Energy-efficiency strategies 129

Renewables: market support is starting to feed

through to higher usage
• Renewables are fundamental Renewables now account for around 30% of the energy draw by operators
to net-zero target. The 50%
2022
cut in carbon emissions among
operators required by 2030 is steep;
increasing the share of renewables
in the energy mix is key to achieving 83% 9% 8%
this, or even coming close.
• The market is helping. Operators
now report an average of around
30% of energy coming from 2023
renewables, up from 21% in 2023.
Despite energy market volatility,
renewables liquidity and the
73% 21% 6%
presence of longer forward
contracts have helped with more
access. However, challenges remain
in regions with poor electricity grid
coverage. This has made builds 2024
of mini grids powered by solar a
needed supporting measure.
66% 29% 5%

Grid Renewables Diesel

Source GSMA Intelligence Telco Energy Benchmark 2025 (95 mobile networks)
 Energy-efficiency strategies 130

Creative solutions required: the electricity frontier

may only go so far
• Rural coverage and power supply The rural energy challenge is laid bare where grid access rates are low:
are an acute challenge in Africa Africa view
and parts of Asia. In Africa, for
Urban centres Rural Suburban
example, 68% of base stations are
85% 31% 11% 67%
on-grid, 25% off-grid or bad grid On-grid Bad grid Mini-grid On-grid
(intermittent power only), and 9%
run on mini grids.
• The challenge is to create
sustainable energy supply.
Financing is key here, with operators
increasingly becoming anchor
tenants to mini grids or helping
finance them directly to mitigate the
high (sometimes exorbitant) costs
and the CO₂ impact of diesel.

25% 11%
On-grid Off-grid

21% 4%
Off-grid Bad
grid

12% 3%
Off-grid Bad
grid

Source GSMA Intelligence Telco Energy Benchmark 2024 (65 mobile networks) and study of 45 African mobile networks
 Energy-efficiency strategies 131

Considerations for the year ahead

Direction of energy efficiency The shift of renewables south AI as a wildcard
and east
• Will we start to see a clear trend of • Can operators incorporate renewables • AI is widely used to drive network
energy efficiency moving in the right as a structural part of their energy energy efficiencies already, but does
direction across the board? Or does it procurement? this start to spread to the edge and
stay limited to European operators? other levels of the mobile stack?
• How does this happen in Africa and
other grid-challenged regions? Do the • Can AI help energy efficiency in
creative financing models come into connectivity as a competitive selling
play? point for operators and vendors?
 132

GLOBAL MOBILE TRENDS

In context

5G network innovation

Circularity
Consumer 5G

Enterprise 5G: private wireless networks

Enterprise 5G: cloud, edge and automation

Enterprise 5G: the API economy

The generative telco

Developing a new
AI and the telco of the future

eSIM
economy
Satellites and NTNs: commercialisation

Satellites, NTNs and 5G: integration and operations

Satellites and NTNs: future roadmap

Energy-efficiency strategies
 133

GLOBAL MOBILE TRENDS

Circularity

News highlights Why it matters

Operators continue to prioritise ESG, reflected in reporting

improvements

Scope 3 emissions are coming into focus

Network equipment circularity initiatives remain nascent

Second-hand device sales ramp up, but challenges remain

Going beyond green: operators elevate the ‘S’ and ‘G’ in ESG

Considerations for the year ahead 

 Circularity 134

News highlights from the last year

• Bringing forward net-zero deadlines reflects an • Optimising the reusing and repurposing of existing
acceleration of climate action, demonstrating the network equipment is an important step in reducing
urgency in addressing the climate crisis. Scope 3 emissions. The GSMA Equipment Marketplace
aims to reduce current market fragmentation, creating a
global second-hand market.

FEBRUARY FEBRUARY APRIL OCTOBER NOVEMBER

Nokia accelerates net-zero Orange Business and Cisco Vodafone targets redundant CommScope joins GSMA BT updates carbon tool with
target by a decade sign first of its kind MoU devices in environmental Equipment Marketplace AI insight
push
Nokia committed to reducing As part of the MoU, the The number of companies BT refreshed its Carbon
its total global greenhouse gas companies have agreed to create Vodafone Group used World using the service has risen to Network Dashboard tool to give
emissions to net zero by 2040, an emissions baseline regarding Earth Day to focus on mobile 41. Currently, 4 million pieces customers a more detailed view
accelerating its previous target the GHG emissions of Orange device recycling. The operator’s of equipment are registered on of their carbon emissions and
by 10 years. Business solutions that integrate Spanish unit repaired 100,000 the marketplace, with 350,000 energy usage across individual
Cisco products. handsets in 2023. pieces sold in the past year. workloads.
FEBRUARY
MARCH MAY OCTOBER DECEMBER
GSMA and Shields unveil
network equipment Orange Belgium opens KDDI Group advances carbon MTN Rwanda pioneers GSMA and Orange to reuse
commerce platform digital store for refurbished neutral target paper-based SIM cards Olympics kit in sustainability
phones push
The cloud-based global platform, KDDI has updated its MTN Rwanda has introduced
called GSMA Equipment Orange Belgium launched an environmental targets, setting paper-based, biodegradable SIM Orange partnered with French
Marketplace, will help operators online store for refurbished the goal of reaching net-zero cards for the first time in the postal service company La Poste
reuse, redeploy and recycle their smartphones in partnership with carbon emissions by 2040. It country. It is part of its efforts to to refurbish network equipment
network assets. device refurbishment specialist previously targeted reaching reduce its environmental impact from the Paris Olympics 2024.
Recommerce. carbon neutrality by 2050. and decrease the billions of
plastic SIM cards produced.

Source Company press releases, Mobile World Live

 Circularity 135

Why it matters in 2025

Walking the ESG tightrope

ESG backlash Regulation Thinking bigger

ESG faces criticism. Critics of An evolving regulatory Scope 3 is in focus. Operators
ESG investing argue the term has landscape. Many countries and have significantly reduced Scope
become a catch-all term for a regions have established (or are 1 and 2 (operational) emissions.
range of investment approaches, in the process of establishing) However, efforts to cut Scope 3
diluting its positive impact regulatory frameworks to drive emissions are still in their relatively
on sustainability and opening standardisation in sustainability early stages. In 2025, operators will
up stakeholders to claims of reporting. step up engagements with supply
‘greenwashing’. chains and customers to address
Opportunities lie ahead. In 2025,
Scope 3 (value-chain) emissions.
Improved disclosures are required. operators have a chance to pre-
The ESG backlash underlines empt regulations by adopting Going beyond green. Efforts
the importance of effective enhanced reporting frameworks to to elevate the mobile industry’s
and consistent approaches to highlight their ESG leadership. achievements on the social and
measuring and communicating governance dimensions of ESG will
ESG performance in 2025. also emerge as a key theme in the
year ahead.
 Circularity 136

Operators continue to prioritise ESG, reflected in

reporting improvements
• Companies face ESG backlash. In recent years, ESG metrics for mobile benchmarking – key figures
there has been increasing discussion of ESG
initiatives across industries, with some investors
withdrawing funds from ESG investments. Critics
suggest these initiatives may sometimes be
misaligned with core business priorities or lack 2023 2024
transparency.
Number of participating operators 10 24
• The mobile industry aims to harmonise ESG
reporting. Providing reliable and consistent
ESG data enables companies to bolster investor Market share (participating operators’
11% 31%
confidence, anticipate regulatory requirements share of global mobile connections)
and mitigate the risk of allegations related to
‘greenwashing’. Against this backdrop, the mobile Total metrics submitted 234 753
industry has developed a set of core ESG KPIs,
known as ESG Metrics for Mobile. These KPIs
Metrics submitted per operator 23 31
complement existing disclosures by operators
and are categorised into environment, digital
inclusion, digital integrity and supply chain. Average response rate per metric 54% 67%
• Operators improve ESG disclosures. The
2024 ESG Metrics for Mobile benchmarking
study showed an increase in the number of
participating operators and the number of ESG
metrics submitted per operator.

Operators participating in the 2024 benchmarking: America Móvil, Bharti Airtel, CK Hutchison, Deutsche Telekom, Du, Entel, Globe,
KDDI, MTN, MTS, Optus, Orange, PPF Telecom Group, Reliance Jio, Safaricom, Singtel, STC, Telecom Argentina, Telefónica, Telenor,
Telia, Telstra, Turkcell, Zain
Source GSMA Intelligence
 Circularity 137

Scope 3 emissions are coming into focus

• Scope 1 and 2 emissions continue to Operator progress: year-on-year change in Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions
fall. All 24 operators participating in
30%
ESG Metrics for Mobile benchmarking
in 2024 disclosed Scope 1 and 2 25%
emissions (operational emissions).
The average year-on-year decline in 20%
location-based emissions was 1%, while
15%
market-based emissions fell by 8% on
average.
10%
• Energy-efficiency efforts drive
5%
improvements. Reductions in
operational emissions reflect energy-
0%
efficiency efforts in networks, data
centres and offices, as well as the -5%
electrification of fleets and generators.
Improvements have also been driven -10%
by the shift to renewable energy
-15%
consumption.
• Reducing Scope 3 emissions holds the -20%
key to meeting net-zero commitments.
-25%
Data from participating operators in the
ESG Metrics for Mobile benchmarking -30%
shows that around three quarters of
the mobile industry’s carbon emissions -35%
come from its value chain (Scope 3), Participating operators in ESG Metrics for Mobile 2024 benchmark (anonymised, arranged in order)

highlighting the importance of

Location-based Market-based
engaging supply chains and customers.
Source GSMA Intelligence
 Circularity 138

Network equipment circularity initiatives

remain nascent
• You can’t manage what you can’t measure. Lack of tracking systems and available data limits operator
Around 40% of Scope 3 emissions from operators reporting
participating in the ESG Metrics for Mobile What are the primary reasons why your company does not currently report on the circularity of
benchmarking originate from purchased goods network equipment metrics included in the ESG Metrics for Mobile? Select two options.
and services. Typically, about a third of this 40%
comes from the network domain, indicating the 0.8
significance of end-of-life treatment for network
equipment. Nonetheless, operator reporting on 0.7
network equipment reuse and refurbishment is
limited, primarily due to a lack of internal systems
and available data. 0.6
• Barriers remain to equipment reuse. Common
barriers include the logistics of collecting and 0.5
shipping products, as well as operators lacking
the necessary processes to support equipment 0.4 70%
in different locations, including access to
spare parts. Addressing these barriers requires
operators to collaborate with each other and
0.3
50%
their suppliers, promoting the development of
equipment with modular designs and reusable 0.2
materials, and encouraging network suppliers to
adapt their existing business models.
0.1 20%

10% 10%

0.0 Lack of internal Limited Low prioritisation Confidentiality Already

tracking systems availability concerns reporting on
and/or workflows of data a similar metric

N = 10 operators Source GSMA Intelligence

 Circularity 139

Second-hand device sales ramp up, but

challenges remain
• New circularity targets announced. In June Reducing dormant devices continues to be a challenge
2023, the mobile industry announced new When you acquired your current primary phone, what did you do with the old phone that it replaced?
targets to reduce the environmental impact of
Gave it to family/friend
mobile phones. The first target is for the number
31%
of used mobile devices collected through
operator take-back schemes to reach at least Kept it as a spare/backup
20% of the number of new mobile devices 31%
distributed to customers by 2030.
Traded it in when I purchased my new phone
• Dormant devices are widespread. GSMA 10%
Intelligence survey data indicates that around
Sold it via a marketplace or trade-in company
a third of consumers keep their old phone as a
8%
spare or backup. While some of these instances
are legitimate, 76% of people have two or more Recycled it
old mobile phones at home that are not in 6%
regular use. In total, it is estimated that more
Threw it away in general waste
than 5 billion mobile phones are lying dormant
4%
around the world. These could contain more than
50,000 tonnes of copper, 500 tonnes of silver Other
and 100 tonnes of gold. There is also enough 3%
cobalt in them for 10 million electric vehicle
I don't remember
batteries.
3%
• Further steps required to drive recycling and
Donated it to a charity
reuse. More work is needed to address concerns
2%
that stop people from returning handsets, such
as data privacy. This was my first phone – I didn't have an old phone to replace
2%

N = 10,783 Source GSMA Intelligence Consumer Circularity Survey 2024

 Circularity 140

Going beyond green: operators elevate the ‘S’ and ‘G’

in ESG
• Operators focus on sustainable procurement. The elements operators cover in their sustainable
While environmental metrics often take centre procurement policies
stage, the social and governance dimensions
100%
of ESG are crucial in creating responsible and
impactful businesses. Operators’ sustainable
procurement policies reflect this, with at least
80% addressing labour practices, fair operating
procedures, human rights and organisational 80%
governance.
• Growing focus on data privacy and transparency.
More than 85% of operators participating in the
ESG Metrics for Mobile benchmarking reported 60%
having a policy covering consumers’ digital rights.
These policies vary in depth across operators,
with the most comprehensive ones addressing
privacy, transparency, freedom of expression,
40%
government requests for data, and government
mandates to shut down or restrict access.
• Digital inclusion remains central to industry
purpose. Limited literacy and digital skills
20%
continue to impede mobile internet adoption and
usage. As a result, disclosures on digital skills
programmes are an important part of operators’
ESG disclosures. On average, operators involved
in ESG Metrics for Mobile benchmarking
Labour practices Environment Fair operating Human rights Organisational Consumer Community
delivered digital skills training to about 1% of their practices governance issues involvement
subscriber base. and development
N = 19 operators from the ESG Metrics for Mobile 2024 benchmarking Source GSMA Intelligence
 Circularity 141

Considerations for the year ahead

Impact of new regulations on the How to encourage consumers to The impact of open RAN on
future of sustainability reporting adopt second-hand devices network equipment circularity
• The EU’s Corporate Sustainability • The habit of purchasing new phones • Fundamentally, open RAN is about
Reporting Directive (CSRD), effective remains deeply ingrained in the disaggregating the digital and radio
from the 2024 financial year, is one mindsets of consumers, partly due components of radio networks by
example of stricter sustainability to concerns about the quality of moving to standardised interfaces.
reporting requirements for companies. refurbished phones. The GSMA By enabling interchangeable network
Operators must report detailed Consumer Circularity Survey indicates components, operators have greater
metrics on resource consumption, that around half of consumers scope to extend the lifecycle of
waste generation and recovery find factors such as the potential their equipment, reducing waste
of products and materials. These for refurbished phones to break and lowering costs while fostering
measures and the consequences sooner than new ones and their innovation.
of non-compliance will drive physical condition to be worse than
sustainability reporting up the agenda. expected to be significant concerns
when considering whether to buy a
refurbished phone.
Lead authors Authors gsmaintelligence.com @GSMAi

Peter Jarich Cesar Bachelet James Joiner

Head of GSMA Intelligence Lead Analyst – Fixed, TV Lead Analyst, Network Strategy
Tim Hatt and Convergence Christina Patsioura
Head of Research and Consulting Sayali Borole Lead Analyst, IoT &
Senior Analyst Enterprise Research
Anshu Goel Shiv Prashant Putcha
Lead Analyst, Digital Consumer Director, Consulting (Asia)
Pablo Iacopino Julie Ssali
Head of Research and Manager, Mobile Forecasting
Commercial Content and Modelling
Matthew Iji
Head of Forecasting
and Modelling