Mobile accounts for approximately half of web traffic worldwide. In the last quarter of 2024, mobile devices (excluding tablets) generated 62.54 percent of global website traffic. Mobiles and smartphones consistently hoovered around the 50 percent mark since the beginning of 2017, before surpassing it in 2020. Mobile traffic Due to low infrastructure and financial restraints, many emerging digital markets skipped the desktop internet phase entirely and moved straight onto mobile internet via smartphone and tablet devices. India is a prime example of a market with a significant mobile-first online population. Other countries with a significant share of mobile internet traffic include Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya. In most African markets, mobile accounts for more than half of the web traffic. By contrast, mobile only makes up around 45.49 percent of online traffic in the United States. Mobile usage The most popular mobile internet activities worldwide include watching movies or videos online, e-mail usage and accessing social media. Apps are a very popular way to watch video on the go and the most-downloaded entertainment apps in the Apple App Store are Netflix, Tencent Video and Amazon Prime Video.

Demand for the Internet Publishing and Broadcasting industry is highly dependent on consumer and business confidence, as operators generate revenue through subscriptions by consumers and the sale of advertising space to businesses and individuals. Industry revenue is expected to swell at a compound annual rate of 5.9% to £12.6 billion over the five years through 2024-25, including a forecast 8.1% rise in 2024-25, when the average industry profit margin is estimated at 23.4%. Consistent growth in internet usage has driven industry expansion. The internet has made content more accessible to consumers, with access through mobile phones offering greater convenience. Due to the wide audience that the internet reaches, traditional publishers and broadcasters have expanded into putting up content online. The economic downturn from COVID-19 constrained online advertising spend as business confidence plunged. However, restrictions forcing people to stay at home encouraged many to spend on at-home entertainment, boosting video and audio streaming subscriptions. Recovering confidence and greater ad spending supported revenue expansion in 2021-22. In 2022-23 and 2023-24, the cost-of-living crisis and an adverse economic climate restricted revenue growth. However, growing optimism and recovering economic conditions stand to boost spending by businesses and consumers, benefitting revenue in 2024-25. Intensifying competition and spending on new content have weighed on profitability in recent years. Industry revenue is forecast to rally at a compound annual rate of 8.4% over the five years through 2029-30 to £18.9 billion. Growing business and consumer confidence will drive advertising expenditure and subscription numbers. Internet traffic will expand, aided by mobile growth, with more consumers seeking content over the internet rather than through traditional means. New entrants will continue to flock the market as demand for new and exclusive content grows. Internet publishers and broadcasters will be tasked with investing in unique, high-quality content for users, or risk losing out to competitors.

According to Cognitive Market Research, the global Mobile Network Operator market size will be USD 82142.20 million in 2024. It will expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.00% from 2024 to 2031.

North America held the major market share for more than 40% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 32856.88 million in 2024 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.2% from 2024 to 2031.
Europe accounted for a market share of over 30% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 24642.66 million.
Asia Pacific held a market share of around 23% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 18892.71 million in 2024 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.0% from 2024 to 2031.
Latin America had a market share of more than 5% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 4107.11 million in 2024 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.4% from 2024 to 2031.
Middle East and Africa had a market share of around 2% of the global revenue and was estimated at a market size of USD 1642.84 million in 2024 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.7% from 2024 to 2031.
The Radio Spectrum Allocation category is the fastest growing segment of the Mobile Network Operator industry

Market Dynamics of Mobile Network Operator Market

Key Drivers for Mobile Network Operator Market

Increasing Demand for Mobile Data to Boost Market Growth

The increasing demand for mobile data is a key driver of the Mobile Network Operator (MNO) market as consumers rely heavily on smartphones for streaming, social media, gaming, and remote work. As data consumption rises, fueled by video-heavy platforms like YouTube and Netflix, MNOs are expanding their network capacity and upgrading to 5G to meet these demands. Additionally, the growing adoption of cloud-based services, IoT devices, and mobile applications in both consumer and enterprise markets amplifies data traffic. This surge in data usage pushes MNOs to invest in infrastructure, enhancing network performance and reliability. Consequently, the need for higher data speeds and better connectivity drives the growth and profitability of MNOs worldwide. For instance, T-Mobile launched "Your Name, Our Wireless," a service designed to simplify the creation and management of customized wireless offerings for both traditional and non-traditional MVNOs. This solution operates on the country's largest and most renowned 5G network. With a fully managed, end-to-end system, "Your Name, Our Wireless" makes backend setup and day-to-day operations more efficient. This allows companies to focus on enhancing customer engagement and exploring new revenue opportunities.

Growing Adoption of 5G Technology to Drive Market Growth

The growing adoption of 5G technology is a key driver of the Mobile Network Operator (MNO) market due to its ability to deliver faster speeds, lower latency, and enhanced network capacity. 5G enables a range of advanced applications, including high-definition streaming, augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and the Internet of Things (IoT), creating a demand for improved mobile network services. As more industries adopt 5G for automation, smart cities, and connected devices, MNOs are investing heavily in infrastructure upgrades to meet these needs. The expanding ecosystem of 5G-compatible devices further accelerates the shift. This adoption not only enhances user experiences but also opens new revenue streams for MNOs, such as enterprise solutions and innovative data-driven services.

Restraint Factor for the Mobile Network Operator Market

High Infrastructure Costs

High infrastructure costs are a major restraint for the Mobile Network Operator (MNO) market, as building and maintaining advanced networks, particularly 5G, requires significant financial investment. Deploying new towers, upgrading existing infrastructure, and expanding coverage in rural or underserved areas involve heavy capital expenditures. Additionally, the costs of acquiring spectrum licenses, maintaining network security, and integrating new technologies like IoT and edge computing further strain MNO budgets. These high upfront costs can slow down network expansions and delay the rollout of services, especially in regions with lower revenue potential. MNOs also face pressure to keep consumer prices competitive, which can limit their ability to recover infrastruc...