The Mobile Economy 2024

To aid operators that are evaluating middle-mile transport solutions, GSMA Intelligence has developed the TCO Calculator, based on research and analysis of existing and emerging middle-mile transport solutions across a number of deployment scenarios around the world. The rapid expansion of 5G networks is driving an unprecedented surge in mobile data consumption, which is placing immense pressure on the middle mile. As a result, operators must diversify their product/solution mix for middle-mile transport.

With network and service automation a hallmark of the TM Forum’s work, there was never any doubt as to the predominant theme at this year’s DTW Ignite event in Copenhagen. While AI is impacting nearly every aspect of telecoms networks and services, a key question was how this would be reflected in the event’s keynotes, launches and meetings. Agentic AI played a significant role in this year’s messaging – but, more surprisingly, core network automation garnered outsized attention.

China’s mobile ecosystem is entering a new phase as large-scale 5G deployment gives way to more intelligent, differentiated and resilient digital infrastructure. In 2025, mobile technologies and services generated $1.5 trillion in economic value, equivalent to 7.2% of GDP, while supporting employment, fiscal revenues and economy-wide digital transformation.