According to our latest GSMA Intelligence Consumer Survey conducted in August 2024 across 12 of the world’s key telecoms markets, 77% of smartphone users are looking to replace their smartphones, with 68% of them contemplating doing so in the next two years.

Moving beyond smartphones there is growing consumer interest in wearables and smart home devices. Smartwatches lead wearables interest, with around 30% of consumers owning one, but there is also growing consumer interest in new wearable form factors such as smart glasses and smart rings.

This datapoint is from Anshu Goel, Lead Research Analyst at GSMA Intelligence, exploring evolving consumer behaviour in regards to consumer devices like smartphones including attitudes towards smartphone circularity and the impact of AI on devices.

Check out our latest report Evolution of devices: prospects for growth, interest in sustainability and the rise of AI which explores consumer behaviour with devices across areas such as smartphone ownership and replacement rates, smartphone brand loyalty, preferred sales channel for smartphones, purchase drivers, interest in refurbished devices, and ownership of wearables and smart home devices at https://data.gsmaintelligence.com/research/research/research-2025/evolution-of-devices-prospects-for-growth-interest-in-sustainability-and-the-rise-of-ai

The telecoms industry and wider digital ecosystem are evolving at an unprecedented pace, with new technologies and market dynamics reshaping the landscape daily. In this fast-moving market, understanding key trends is essential to staying competitive and capturing emerging opportunities.

Our 2025 Research Themes focus on three critical areas driving advancements and innovation: technology, monetisation, and impact. Across these areas, the themes aim to explore the key trends and address pressing questions shaping the digital landscape, highlighting their implications for stakeholders. In this complimentary webinar, our experts Peter Jarich and Pablo Iacopino discussed 2025 topics shaping the industry and driving our focus:

• 5G-Advanced and its role in unlocking new use cases.
• The transformational impact of AI in telecoms and beyond.
• The outlook for new technologies such as Network APIs, Open RAN, NTNs and eSIM.
• The rise of Digital Industries and the associated opportunity.
• The evolution of consumer technology and its impact on telcos.
• Monetisation paths for B2C and B2B

Sustainability and energy efficiency recently became a fundamental part of network development and network operations and is expected to remain in constant consideration in the future. However, efficiency remains difficult to quantify, measure and benchmark effectively.

The complexity of reorienting network strategy around sustainability means a clear framework is key for prioritising when and where actions should be taken

This datapoint is from Emanuel Kolta, Lead Research Analyst at GSMA Intelligence, exploring green network evolution among 16 different elements.

Check out our latest report True north: a guide to green network evolution which includes a framework and a set of KPIs offering telecoms operators and their suppliers a guide to decision-making at https://data.gsmaintelligence.com/research/research/research-2024/true-north-a-guide-to-green-network-evolution

The promise of advanced wireless connectivity—spanning 5G, edge computing, IoT, and Fixed Wireless Access (FWA)—is transforming enterprise networks and operations across industries. However, while there are numerous examples of innovation, they don’t always capture the true state of adoption across the average enterprise.

To bridge this gap, GSMA Intelligence conducted one of the industry’s most comprehensive surveys of enterprise IT buyers, uncovering the real story behind the adoption and utilisation of these technologies:

Which connectivity solutions are enterprises leveraging most effectively?
Which technologies remain underutilised?
Which verticals are leading the charge in deploying advanced connectivity, and which ones are struggling?
What lessons can be learned from enterprises in different regions and industries?

Listen to Peter Jarich, Head of GSMA Intelligence as he delved into the findings from the latest research, offering actionable insights and strategies to help your enterprise make the most of these cutting-edge technologies.

A deep dive into the future of AI and its critical role in the telecom industry.

The session focused on the transformative power of AI, especially Generative AI, for telecom operators.

Key insights included:

• Innovation: How innovations in AI and GenAI are reshaping the operations of telecoms and their customers’ success.
• Use Cases vs. ROI: Real-world applications in networks and customer engagement, exploring the ROI and the importance of selecting the right AI tools and partners.
• Sustainability: The impact of AI on energy efficiency and how it can support the industry’s push toward Net Zero.
• Security: AI’s dual role in enhancing network security while also introducing new threats, particularly in the 5G era, where security is a top priority for 87% of CTOs.

This summit provided invaluable perspectives on how AI will shape the future of the telecoms industry, from network performance to customer relations and security.

Speakers:

Dario Scacciati – Regional Leader for Telecommunications and Media Industries, Microsoft Pranay Bajpai – VP, VCG Digital & Assisted Experience, Verizon Cristina Rodriguez – VP & GM Comms Solutions Group, Intel Corporation Joel Brand – Senior Director, Processor and Security Business Lines, Marvell Walt Shaw – Senior Director of Product, Boingo Wireless Rowan Litter – Senior Analyst, VDC Research Samantha Kight – Head of Industry Security, GSMA Geoffrey Hollingworth – CMO, Rakuten Symphony Andres Gil – Global Telco & Media Team – Sales Enablement – Director of Business Strategy & Industry Advisor, Microsoft Elena Fersman – VP & Head of Global AI Accelerator, Ericsson Matija Razem – VP Business Development, Infobip Kenta Yasukawa, Ph.D. – CTO & Cofounder, SORACOM, INC. Peter Jarich – Head of GSMA Intelligence, GSMA Intelligence Brian Robertson – Head of Industry Strategy, GSMA Jeanine Vos – Head of SDG Accelerator, GSMA

The Non-Terrestrial Networks Summit, brought together industry leaders to discuss the transformative potential of satellite broadband solutions within the enterprise sector.

At this summit, attendees explored the future of satellite broadband in the enterprise sector. Discussions highlighted how direct-to-device satellite services are reshaping connectivity, and how enterprise applications offer significant untapped potential. Industry experts examined specific industry verticals with the highest return on investment for B2B satellite broadband solutions. The session also explored compelling use cases and considered the evolving satellite broadband ecosystem to maximize B2B opportunities. Watch the full recording of the session to gain insights into the future of satellite broadband in enterprise applications.

Session Moderators:

• Tim Hatt, Head Of Research & Consulting, GSMA Intelligence

Session Speakers:

• Sameh Yamany Ph.D., CTO, VIAVI Solutions
• Parth Trivedi, CEO and Co-Founder, Skylo Technologies
• Erin Liao, VP, Head of E2E 5G Systems, Ericsson
• Dave Roscoe, EVP and GM, Satellite IoT, ORBCOMM
• Tim Last, SVP Sales & Product, Iridium
• Alban Hoxha, CTO, BeWhere
• Brian Aziz, Vice President, Global Sales, Iridium
• Claude Arpin, Senior Product Manager, 5G Service Development and Industry Partnerships, Bell Mobility
• Chris Ivory, Chief Commercial Officer, AST
• Gianluca Redolfi, CCO, SATELIOT

Slides presented by Tim Hatt, GSMA Intelligence

In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, the role of connectivity has never been more crucial. The growing need for high-speed data and enhanced capacity, in our daily lives including remote work and online learning, underscores the critical role of Fixed broadband technologies, especially optical fibre connectivity.  

By 2030, the overall growth in fixed broadband technology among the 36 largest fixed broadband markets will majorly be driven by the widespread rollout and adoption of optical fibre connections.  

This datapoint is from Shweta Bansal, Senior Research Analyst at GSMA Intelligence, exploring the growth in optical fibre adoption and rollout among the 36 largest fixed broadband markets.

Check out our latest quarterly Fixed and Pay-TV report for a detailed view and analysis of the underlying trends, and future outlook of FTTP/B adoption and other fixed broadband technology at https://data.gsmaintelligence.com/research/research/research-2024/fixed-and-pay-tv-markets-q1-2024-developments-and-outlook  

Mobile operators globally are partnering with satellite players to connect remote areas. As per GSMA Intelligence’s recently launched Satellite and NTN tracker, 91 operators have announced such partnerships for backhaul and direct-to-device services. This datapoint from Research Analyst, Kirti Sadana highlights the growing trends of telecom operators partnering with Satellite providers.

For more information, please read GSMA Intelligence’s Satellite and NTN tracker report https://data.gsmaintelligence.com/research/research/research-2024/satellite-and-ntn-tracker-q2-2024

As of December 2023, per our consumer survey, conducted across eight of the world’s major markets, 57% of adults played digital games on a device at least once per week. Adults aged 18–44 years old are the most prolific gamers, with 70% playing on a weekly basis.

Datapoint filmed by Anshu Goel, Lead Analyst at GSMA Intelligence.

The latest gaming report is available in the digital consumer module here, for access to this individual report or the full digital consumer module please contact sales here.

Catch the on-demand recording of our exclusive unveiling of the latest insights are shaping mobile and telecom landscape.

What Was Discussed?

Key themes from the report: This Global Mobile Trends report examines the biggest developments expected in 2024. These include #5G’s next wave; the impact of #generativeAI; 5G-Advanced; new experiences from 5G-enabled services such as #FWA; the future of entertainment; #cloud and edge compute; private wireless; #eSIM; the rise of #satellites ; and #sustainability strategies.

Panel discussion: Industry Perspectives: Gain valuable insights from industry leaders as they discuss the implications of these trends for businesses, consumers, and the wider industry, offering a future-focused lens on innovation and growth.

Featured Speakers:

Harrison Lung, Group Chief Strategy Officer, e& Group

Ivan Ostojić, Chief Business Officer, Infobip

Aniruddho Basu, EVP, Emerging Business, Partnerships & Channels, Mavenir

Robin Harwani, Head of Global Industry Solutions, AWS

This session was filmed at #MWC24 and hosted by GSMA Intelligence, the research and consulting arm of the GSMA.

Global Mobile Trends 2024 Report can be downloaded here https://data.gsmaintelligence.com/research/research/research-2024/global-mobile-trends-2024 | The report is available to all with a free public account.

Thanks to our sponsors AWS, Kigen, Vodafone and European Space Agency who made this report possible.