Beyond connectivity: tracking the operator journey
This report is available to those subscribed to the Mobile Operators and Networks module.
Operators have long sought new revenue streams beyond connectivity to offset stagnating core revenues (from mobile and fixed) and grow their presence in the digital ecosystem. Areas include pay TV, media, IoT, enterprise solutions and the broader universe of digital services from finance and payments to lifestyle. While revenue disclosure for non-telecoms services among operators is often inconsistent, we compared 2017 and 2018 data for 16 of the largest operator groups in the world, laying the groundwork to track future performance. The findings shed light on exactly how far operators have gone and the outlook beyond core in the 5G era.
Related research
IBC 2025: AI dominated the scene but it was not the only area of innovation and developments
The 2025 edition of IBC, one of the largest annual gatherings of the media and entertainment industry, had nearly 44,000 attendees from over 170 countries, with 1,300 exhibitors showcasing innovations and cutting-edge technology. AI was the dominant theme at the show, with a focus on generative AI and agentic AI. But there were also key developments in free-to-air TV and an uptick among vendors looking to increase interactivity to generate customer stickiness.
The rise of digital industries in ASEAN: accelerating enterprise transformation through AI and mobile
The digital transformation of vertical sectors is accelerating across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). GSMA Intelligence surveyed more than 580 enterprises across 10 sectors in five ASEAN countries to gain insight into their digital transformation.
e&: A strong first-party gaming offering to profit from high consumer usage of digital gaming
Operator strategies continue to evolve in the digital era as the telecoms industry seeks to capture new growth opportunities in the consumer and enterprise markets. Assessing innovation and achievements is more important than ever before. GSMA Intelligence's operator case studies provide a concise and consistent way to shine a light on and analyse operators' strategies and business models, as well as how they are launching new services. This edition analyses e&'s comprehensive consumer gaming offering as part of its wider digital services strategy.
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
IBC 2025: AI dominated the scene but it was not the only area of innovation and developments
The 2025 edition of IBC, one of the largest annual gatherings of the media and entertainment industry, had nearly 44,000 attendees from over 170 countries, with 1,300 exhibitors showcasing innovations and cutting-edge technology. AI was the dominant theme at the show, with a focus on generative AI and agentic AI. But there were also key developments in free-to-air TV and an uptick among vendors looking to increase interactivity to generate customer stickiness.
The rise of digital industries in ASEAN: accelerating enterprise transformation through AI and mobile
The digital transformation of vertical sectors is accelerating across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). GSMA Intelligence surveyed more than 580 enterprises across 10 sectors in five ASEAN countries to gain insight into their digital transformation.
e&: A strong first-party gaming offering to profit from high consumer usage of digital gaming
Operator strategies continue to evolve in the digital era as the telecoms industry seeks to capture new growth opportunities in the consumer and enterprise markets. Assessing innovation and achievements is more important than ever before. GSMA Intelligence's operator case studies provide a concise and consistent way to shine a light on and analyse operators' strategies and business models, as well as how they are launching new services. This edition analyses e&'s comprehensive consumer gaming offering as part of its wider digital services strategy.
- 200 reports a year
- 50 million data points
- Over 350 metrics