Outcome-based pricing in IoT: a high-risk, high-return bet

This report is available to those subscribed to the IoT & Enterprise module.
In an interview at MWC Americas 2018, Head of IoT at Vodafone Americas, Ludovico Fassati, claimed that the company’s US strategy must include outcome-based pricing (OBP) for IoT customers. While not widely reported, there was further detail at Vodafone’s recent Industry Analyst Event. OBP differs from traditional pricing: instead of charging by traffic/volume or number of devices, it sets pricing for enterprise clients based on achieving jointly determined outcomes. This drives service providers to deliver on results but also encourages sharing of the investment burden between enterprises and service providers. Operators adopting OBP are placing a high-risk, high-return bet, signalling their ambition to compete as solutions providers among the likes of IBM, HPE and Accenture.
Related research
Operators’ enterprise strategies and plans: survey insights reveal shifting trends in 2025 and beyond
This report summarises the key findings from the latest GSMA Intelligence Operators in Focus: Enterprise Opportunity Survey, conducted in December 2024, which surveyed 100 global operators on their enterprise strategies and plans, as well as emerging opportunities. Key topics include operators’ strategic priorities, partnerships, acquisitions and investment in enterprise services such as cloud, security and connectivity, along with 5G offerings such as private 5G, IoT, edge computing and network slicing.
Operators in Focus: Enterprise Opportunity Survey Dashboard 2025
This dashboard presents the latest findings of the GSMA Intelligence Operators in Focus: Enterprise Opportunity Survey. The survey asked 100 operators globally about their enterprise strategies, including how they are carrying out their plans and how they assess emerging opportunities.
IoT and eSIM for digital industries: navigating enterprise needs, investments and supplier decisions
Digital transformation of vertical sectors is accelerating, with IoT being an important driver and enabler. GSMA Intelligence surveyed nearly 4,200 enterprises across 21 countries and 10 vertical sectors to gain relevant insights into their digital transformation across a range of technologies. This report analyses the key findings and implications for IoT and eSIM.
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
Operators’ enterprise strategies and plans: survey insights reveal shifting trends in 2025 and beyond
This report summarises the key findings from the latest GSMA Intelligence Operators in Focus: Enterprise Opportunity Survey, conducted in December 2024, which surveyed 100 global operators on their enterprise strategies and plans, as well as emerging opportunities. Key topics include operators’ strategic priorities, partnerships, acquisitions and investment in enterprise services such as cloud, security and connectivity, along with 5G offerings such as private 5G, IoT, edge computing and network slicing.
Operators in Focus: Enterprise Opportunity Survey Dashboard 2025
This dashboard presents the latest findings of the GSMA Intelligence Operators in Focus: Enterprise Opportunity Survey. The survey asked 100 operators globally about their enterprise strategies, including how they are carrying out their plans and how they assess emerging opportunities.
IoT and eSIM for digital industries: navigating enterprise needs, investments and supplier decisions
Digital transformation of vertical sectors is accelerating, with IoT being an important driver and enabler. GSMA Intelligence surveyed nearly 4,200 enterprises across 21 countries and 10 vertical sectors to gain relevant insights into their digital transformation across a range of technologies. This report analyses the key findings and implications for IoT and eSIM.
- 200 reports a year
- 50 million data points
- Over 350 metrics