ARPU patterns as market penetration rises
This insight is open to all subscribers and registered users, or available by completing the form below.
Report details
ARPU patterns as market penetration rises
Following some of our recent work on real ARPU, we look here at how ARPU changes with market penetration in the more mature markets to explore where the phenomenon of multiple connections per user takes effect. In many markets where pre-paid is significant, it appears that the market enters a phase of fairly stable ARPU when it reaches about 50% penetration, followed by a phase of falling ARPU at higher penetration levels as multiple connections become more of a feature of the market. However, multiple connections is only one factor affecting ARPU - in the last five years many of these markets have also been affected by reductions in termination rates and the arrival of MVNOs.
Download the Report
Complete the form below to get instant access to this content. For easier access in the future, you can register for a free account here.
By submitting this form, you agree that your email address and related activity on the platform will be processed for the purpose of generating and providing the requested report. Your data will be shared with GSMA Intelligence for this purpose. For more information, please see the GSMA Intelligence Privacy Policy.
Report details
ARPU patterns as market penetration rises
Related research
Mobile Data Deck, Q4 2025
The GSMA Intelligence Mobile Data Deck offers a fast track to all the essential data you need to know, with key mobile metrics in one easy-to-use deck of charts. The forecasts to 2030 include connections by region and technology generation, smartphone connections and adoption, and mobile operator revenue.
Global Mobile Forecasts, Q4 2025 Review: capturing the changes, discussing the drivers
GSMA Intelligence constantly monitors mobile markets across the world to capture the most recent trends and share the latest available data. This analysis looks at the key revisions made to the mobile connection forecasts over the previous quarter and the drivers underpinning the changes.
Preserving the A2P SMS business in an evolving A2P messaging landscape
Messaging remains a remains a near-ubiquitous method of mobile communication, enabling person-to-person (P2P) communications and business-to-person, also known as application-to-person (A2P), communications. With the increasing cannibalisation of P2P SMS by OTT services, the potential for a monetisable business model and strong appetite among enterprises to engage with their customers via the messaging channel, A2P SMS offers the greatest messaging revenue opportunity for mobile operators.
Authors
How to access this report
Annual subscription: Subscribe to our research modules for comprehensive access to more than 200 reports per year.
Enquire about subscriptionContact our research team
Get in touch with us to find out more about our research topics and analysis.
Contact our research teamMedia
To cite our research, please see our citation policy in our Terms of Use, or contact our Media team for more information.
Learn moreRelated research
Mobile Data Deck, Q4 2025
The GSMA Intelligence Mobile Data Deck offers a fast track to all the essential data you need to know, with key mobile metrics in one easy-to-use deck of charts. The forecasts to 2030 include connections by region and technology generation, smartphone connections and adoption, and mobile operator revenue.
Global Mobile Forecasts, Q4 2025 Review: capturing the changes, discussing the drivers
GSMA Intelligence constantly monitors mobile markets across the world to capture the most recent trends and share the latest available data. This analysis looks at the key revisions made to the mobile connection forecasts over the previous quarter and the drivers underpinning the changes.
Preserving the A2P SMS business in an evolving A2P messaging landscape
Messaging remains a remains a near-ubiquitous method of mobile communication, enabling person-to-person (P2P) communications and business-to-person, also known as application-to-person (A2P), communications. With the increasing cannibalisation of P2P SMS by OTT services, the potential for a monetisable business model and strong appetite among enterprises to engage with their customers via the messaging channel, A2P SMS offers the greatest messaging revenue opportunity for mobile operators.
- 200 reports a year
- 50 million data points
- Over 350 metrics
