Industry Statistics and Trends
Wireless Telecommunications Services in Europe key trends
The use of mobile data has become more popular.
Customer preferences have shifted away from traditional services, like SMS and MMS messaging, and now use data to use alternative messaging services.
Heavy competition weighs on revenue and profitability.
To win and retain customers, wireless telecommunications carriers compete on price.
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Wireless Telecommunications Services in Europe
Industry Revenue
Total value and annual change from 2012-2030. Includes 5-year outlook.
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Wireless Telecommunications Services in Europe market size (2020-2025)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 11.0 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated €401.1bn in 2025.
Trends and Insights
Mobile data usage has soared, replacing cellular technology
- The surge in mobile data usage is reshaping Europe's wireless telecommunication providers. According to the OECD, average data consumption per user in Italy jumped by 28.6% in 2023, reaching over 21 GB monthly. This sharply contrasts with the modest 4.3 GB reported in 2018. The widespread adoption of OTT apps like WhatsApp, iMessage, and Facebook Messenger, alongside increased internet browsing, social media engagement and online transactions, are primary drivers of this trend. The highest per-user data usage in Europe, according to the OECD, is in Latvia, with an average of 48 GB per month in 2023.
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Wireless Telecommunications Services in Europe outlook (2025-2030)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Data services will drive sales of wireless connections
- The ongoing decline of traditional cellular communications, including SMS, MMS and PSTN services, in favour of OTT services is poised to continue. As internet-based communication technologies, like Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), become increasingly popular, these outdated services are becoming largely defunct. In France, Orange SA, the main network operator, aims to completely switch all voice communications to VoIP by 2030.
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Revenue
€401.1bn
Employees
586k
Wages
€XX.Xbn
European Leaders & Laggards
Top 5 Countries
- Belgium +11.1%
- United Kingdom +8.2%
- Malta +7.6%
- Ireland +6.0%
- Croatia +5.4%
Bottom 5 Countries
- Bosnia & Herzegovina -14.4%
- Serbia -13.0%
- Cyprus -5.4%
- Iceland -3.8%
- Austria -2.9%
* CAGR values are for the years 2020-2025.
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Biggest companies in the Wireless Telecommunications Services in Europe
| Company | Market Share (%)
2025 | Revenue (€m)
2025 | Profit (€m)
2025 | Profit Margin (%)
2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Vodafone Group plc | 39,010.0 | 4,537.1 | 11.6 | |
Telefonica SA | 42,044.0 | 2,559.5 | 6.1 | |
Deutsche Telekom AG | 119,120.0 | 28,099.5 | 23.6 |
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Wireless Telecommunications Services in Europe
Products & Services Segmentation
Industry revenue broken down by key product and services lines.
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Top Questions Answered in this Report
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What is the market size of the Wireless Telecommunications Services industry in Europe in 2025?
The market size of the Wireless Telecommunications Services industry in Europe is €401.1bn in 2025.
How many businesses are there in the Wireless Telecommunications Services industry in Europe in 2025?
There are 14,459 businesses in the Wireless Telecommunications Services industry in Europe, which has grown at a CAGR of 4.5 % between 2020 and 2025.
Has the Wireless Telecommunications Services industry in Europe grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Wireless Telecommunications Services industry in Europe has been growing at a CAGR of 11.0 % between 2020 and 2025.
What is the forecast growth of the Wireless Telecommunications Services industry in Europe over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Wireless Telecommunications Services industry in Europe is expected to grow.
What does the Wireless Telecommunications Services industry in Europe include?
Access and voice services and Messaging and data services are part of the Wireless Telecommunications Services industry in Europe.
Which countries have the most businesses in the Wireless Telecommunications Services industry in Europe?
The European country with the most businesses in the Wireless Telecommunications Services industry is Poland.
How competitive is the Wireless Telecommunications Services industry in Europe?
The level of competition is high and steady in the Wireless Telecommunications Services industry in Europe.
Related Industries
This industry is covered in 37 countries
- Wireless Telecommunications Services in Austria
- Wireless Telecommunications Services in France
- Wireless Telecommunications Services in Lithuania
- Wireless Telecommunications Services in the Netherlands
- Wireless Telecommunications Services in Belgium
- Wireless Telecommunications Services in Cyprus
- Wireless Telecommunications Services in Finland
- Wireless Telecommunications Services in Bulgaria
- Wireless Telecommunications Services in Spain
- Wireless Telecommunications Services in Portugal
- Wireless Telecommunications Services in Serbia
- Wireless Telecommunications Services in Hungary
- Wireless Telecommunications Services in Switzerland
- Wireless Telecommunications Services in Czechia
- Wireless Telecommunications Services in Denmark
- Wireless Telecommunications Services in Turkey
- Wireless Telecommunications Services in Ireland
- Wireless Telecommunications Services in Malta
- Wireless Telecommunications Services in Luxembourg
- Wireless Telecommunications Services in Russia
- Wireless Telecommunications Services in Slovakia
- Wireless Telecommunications Services in Italy
- Wireless Telecommunications Services in Sweden
- Wireless Telecommunications Services in Poland
- Wireless Telecommunications Services in Latvia
- Wireless Telecommunications Services in Croatia
- Wireless Telecommunications Services in Slovenia
- Wireless Telecommunications Carriers in the UK
- Wireless Telecommunications Carriers in Germany
- Wireless Telecommunications Carriers in Ireland
- Wireless Telecommunications Carriers in Ireland
- Wireless Telecommunications Services in Greece
- Wireless Telecommunications Services in Romania
- Wireless Telecommunications Services in Norway
- Wireless Telecommunications Services in the UK
- Wireless Telecommunications Services in Germany
- Wireless Telecommunications Services in Estonia
- Wireless Telecommunications Services in Bosnia & Herzegovina
- Wireless Telecommunications Services in Iceland
- Wireless Telecommunications Services in Europe
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
Companies in this industry operate, maintain and provide access to facilities for the transmission of voice, data, text, sound and video using wireless telecommunications infrastructure. Businesses in the industry also provide internet access through wireless infrastructure. Telecommunications resellers do not fall under this industry.
Related Terms
BROADBAND PCS FIFTH GENERATION WIRELESS (5G) LONG-TERM EVOLUTION (LTE)What's included in this industry?
Access and voice servicesMessaging and data servicesWholesalingCompanies
Vodafone Group plcTelefonica SADeutsche Telekom AGIndustry Code
612 - Wireless telecommunications activities in Europe
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Performance
Key Takeaways
Mobile data usage has soared, replacing cellular technology
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Revenue Highlights
Trends
- Revenue
- 2025 Revenue Growth
- Revenue Volatility
Employment Highlights
Trends
- Employees
- Employees per Business
- Revenue per Employee
Business Highlights
Trends
- Businesses
- Employees per Business
- Revenue per Business
Profit Highlights
Trends
- Total Profit
- Profit Margin
- Profit per Business
Current Performance
Charts
- Revenue in the Wireless Telecommunications Services in Europe industry (2012 -2030)
- Employees in the Wireless Telecommunications Services in Europe industry (2012 -2030)
- Business in the Wireless Telecommunications Services in Europe industry (2012 -2030)
- Profit in the Wireless Telecommunications Services in Europe industry (2012 -2030)
Analysis
What's driving current industry performance in the Wireless Telecommunications Services in Europe industry?
Outlook
Analysis
What's driving the Wireless Telecommunications Services in Europe industry outlook?
Volatility
Analysis
What influences volatility in the Wireless Telecommunications Services in Europe industry?
Charts
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth Matrix
Life Cycle
Analysis
What determines the industry life cycle stage in the Wireless Telecommunications Services in Europe industry?
Charts
- Industry Life Cycle Matrix
Products and Markets
Highlights
Trends
- Largest Market
- Product Innovation
Key Takeaways
The rising popularity of apps reduces demand for traditional services. More customers use apps like WhatsApp to make calls and texts, aiding demand for data services.
Products and Services
Charts
- Products and Services Segmentation
Analysis
How are the Wireless Telecommunications Services in Europe industry's products and services performing?
Analysis
What are innovations in the Wireless Telecommunications Services in Europe industry's products and services?
Major Markets
Charts
- Major Market Segmentation
Analysis
What influences demand in the Wireless Telecommunications Services in Europe industry?
International Trade
Highlights
- Largest Importer
- Smallest Importer
- Total Imports into Europe
- Largest Exporter
- Smallest Importer
- Total Exports into Europe
Heat maps
- Industry Concentration of Imports by Country
- Industry Concentration of Exports by Country
Data Tables
Value and annual change (%) included
- Number of Imports and Exports by European Country (2025)
Geographic Breakdown
Business Locations
Heat maps
- Share of Total Industry Revenue by Region (2025)
- Share of Total Industry Enterprises by Region (2025)
- Share of Total Industry Employment by Region (2025)
- Share of Total Industry Wages by Region (2025)
Industry Geographic Breakdown
Data Tables
Values and annual change provided for 37 European countries:
- Revenue (2025)
- IVA (2025)
- Enterprises (2025)
- Employment (2025)
- Exports (2025)
- Imports (2025)
Competitive Forces
Highlights
Trends
- Concentration
- Competition
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer Power
- Supplier Power
Key Takeaways
Larger carriers leverage economies of scale. Running large-scale operations is beneficial as carriers can leverage economies of scale and scope to expand their portfolios, develop infrastructure and consolidate their business.
Supply Chain
Charts
Buyer and supply industries
Companies
Market Share
Charts
- Industry Market Share by Company (2020-2025)
Companies
Data Tables
Top 10 companies by market share:
- Market share (2025)
- Revenue (2025)
- Profit (2025)
- Profit Margin (2025)
Data Tables
- Countries of operation for Vodafone Group plc
- Countries of operation for Telefonica SA
- Countries of operation for Deutsche Telekom AG
- Countries of operation for Iliad S.A.
- Countries of operation for Orange SA
- Countries of operation for CK Hutchison Holdings Ltd
- Countries of operation for BT Group plc
- Countries of operation for Swisscom Ltd
- Countries of operation for TIM SpA
- Countries of operation for Telenor ASA
External Environment
Highlights
Trends
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key Takeaways
Regulators have imposed price controls. Price controls aimed at supporting competition within the industry have eaten into revenue generated from wholesaling services.
External Drivers
Analysis
What demographic and macroeconomic factors impact the Wireless Telecommunications Services in Europe industry?
Financial Benchmarks
Highlights
Trends
- Profit Margin
- Average Wage
- Largest Cost
Key Takeaways
Significant competition restricts profitability. Wireless telecoms providers compete on price to win and retain customers.
Cost Structure
Charts
- Share of Economy vs. Investment Matrix
-
Industry Cost Structure Benchmarks:
- Marketing
- Depreciation
- Profit
- Purchases
- Wages
- Rent
- Utilities
- Other
Analysis
What trends impact cost in the Wireless Telecommunications Services in Europe industry?
Key Ratios
Data tables
- IVA/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Imports/Demand (2015-2030)
- Exports/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Revenue per Employee (2015-2030)
- Wages/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Employees per Establishment (2015-2030)
- Average Wage (2015-2030)
Country Benchmarks
European Leaders & Laggards
Data Tables
Top and bottom five countries listed for each:
- Revenue Growth (2025)
- Business Growth (2025)
- Job Growth (2025)
European Country Performance
Data Tables
Rankings available for 37 countries. Statistics ranked include:
- IVA/Revenue (2025)
- Imports/Demand (2025)
- Exports/Revenue (2025)
- Revenue per Employee (2025)
- Wages/Revenue (2025)
- Employees per Establishment (2025)
- Average Wage (2025)
Structural Comparison
Data Tables
Trends in 37 countries benchmarked against trends in Europe
- Concentration
- Competition
- Barriers to Entry
- Buyer Power
- Supplier Power
- Volatility
- Capital Intensity
- Innovation
- Life Cycle
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2015-2030)
- IVA (2015-2030)
- Establishments (2015-2030)
- Enterprises (2015-2030)
- Employment (2015-2030)
- Exports (2015-2030)
- Imports (2015-2030)
- Wages (2015-2030)
Methodology
Where does IBISWorld source its data?
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Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and IBISWorld's proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
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