Mobile revenue trends in a changing global economy

Mobile revenue trends in a changing global economy
This Report is locked

This report is only available to signed in users.

Learn more about our packages

Over the last decade the mobile telecoms industry has scaled dramatically. Global mobile connections surpassed 1 billion in 2002, equating to roughly one connection for every six people. By 2012 this had reached 6.5 billion connections - ten connections for every eleven people on the planet.

However, intensifying competition, exacerbated by a deteriorating global macroeconomic environment, has seen mobile operator’s share of GDP hit a ceiling. While mobile connection penetration continues to rise above the 100% mark across a majority of countries worldwide, global revenue growth fell from double to single digits in 2008, while mobile revenue as a share of GDP peaked in 2009 at 1.63%, and has since then averaged 1.55%.

In this report, we analyse the factors that have influenced mobile revenue trends, and highlight some of the changes mobile operators in saturated markets are introducing to differentiate their offers and preserve margins.

 

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 subscription

Contact our research team

Get in touch with us to find out more about our research topics and analysis.

Contact our research team

Media

To cite our research, please see our citation policy in our Terms of Use, or contact our Media team for more information.

Learn more

Related research

5G Next: optimising energy in the age of network complexity via integrated dashboards

Mobile networks and connectivity
Climate, ESG and sustainability
Mobile Operators and Networks

This Insight Spotlight is part of our 5G Next series, which helps clarify the next phase of 5G and highlights key technological innovations. Energy efficiency is becoming increasingly critical as it directly affects operational costs, while the integration of new network layers can contribute to rising energy consumption. Reducing operational complexity, unlocking actionable insights and transforming billing will be foundational to achieve efficiency, sustainability goals and long-term network resilience in the 5G era and beyond.

This report is locked

5G in Context, Q2 2025

Mobile networks and connectivity
Mobile Operators and Networks

This quarterly review of global 5G developments provides a concise, tracker-style deliverable, presenting key metrics and forecasts in an easy-to-access and engaging way. GSMA Intelligence has aggregated the latest data on 5G connections and adoption, as well as information on network trials/launches and spectrum assignments.

This report is locked

Mobile Data Deck, Q2 2025

Mobile networks and connectivity
Mobile Operators and Networks

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.

This report is locked
Full access
Get full access to our research now, get in touch with us to find out more about our research topics and analysis
  • 200 reports a year
  • 50 million data points
  • Over 350 metrics