Digital transformation of vertical sectors: the new wave of B2B opportunities revealed by the 2025 global enterprise survey

Digital transformation of enterprises across vertical sectors is accelerating. During 2024-2030, enterprises will spend 10% of their revenues on digital transformation, and this provides new B2B opportunities to technology suppliers, including operators. The rise of digital industries is not one size fits all though. As sectors have different needs and priorities, getting insights directly from enterprises is key to formulate the right B2B strategies and capitalise on the digital transformation opportunity.

This edition of GSMA Intelligence's Chart of the Month looks at major operators' progress with revenues beyond traditional core telecoms. The GSMA Intelligence Chart of the Month is a visual way of telling an important story in the mobile and broader tech ecosystem. From the shape and size of markets to trends in consumer behaviour, we aim to provide food for thought through informative visuals designed to bring colour and clarity to complex issues facing the industry.

Last month, China’s three major telecoms operators became the first to launch token-based AI plans, packaging AI usage in a way that resembles traditional mobile data bundles, signalling a broader push by operators to commercialise AI, cloud and compute capabilities. This reflects growing interest among operators in monetising AI by moving beyond internal AI efficiencies and towards commercial AI opportunities. The logic is simple – tap the surging interest in AI and put a meter on it – but the concept goes beyond just offering tokens for cash.