A new report from GSMA Intelligence launched ahead of MWC Las Vegas shows Telcos sizing prospects for growth in financial services, manufacturing, automotive and aviation​ – highlighting an addressable market of more than $400bn, looking to grow revenues in the enterprise space. This equates to approximately 35% of the existing mobile operator revenue base worldwide.

The report also shows that telcos need to look beyond connectivity driven solutions and services and take a broader view of the opportunity. Core telecom solution and service areas, such as SD-WAN, unified communications and mobile voice and data, currently contribute around 70% of B2B revenues or $250bn for operators in 2023, although they offer little headroom for growth with just 3% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) expected out to 2030.

Conversely, enterprise spending on tech services beyond those core services – including cloud and datacentre, cybersecurity, IoT, analytics, AI, blockchain and network APIs – is around five times the spend on traditional communications at $1.16tn in 2023, with a CAGR of 14% to 2030, growing to become a market worth $2.91tn.

Tim Hatt, Head of Research, GSMA Intelligence, said: “Telcos looking to monetise their investments in 5G need to look beyond consumer centric and basic connectivity driven use cases. Greater focus is needed on offering advanced network solutions such as network slicing and private networks in the short term and developing end-to-end solutions to support a variety of enterprise use cases combined with integration capabilities in the longer term.

“Enterprises are increasingly looking for service providers to integrate a blend of technologies that fit their specific technology environments and business needs. Though the competition is fierce, telcos have assets and capabilities they can leverage to play in over one-third of this trillion-dollar market.”

Manufacturing and financial services offer biggest opportunities

The report highlights characteristics of four key verticals: financial services, manufacturing, automotive and aviation.

In 2023, these sectors presented significant addressable opportunities for telcos, valued at $59 billion, $61 billion, $22 billion and $16 billion respectively. Collectively, they accounted for 37% of the total addressable market opportunity, amounting to $159 billion. Projections indicate robust growth for these markets, with expected CAGR of 10.9%, 12.1%, 12.0%, and 8.4% from 2023 to 2030.

Other markets comprised 63% of the telcos’ growing addressable enterprise tech services beyond core opportunity. This growth is driven by diverse verticals, including healthcare, public sector, retail, media, smart cities, energy and utilities, agriculture, oil & gas, transportation & logistics, professional services, personal & consumer services, mining and ports.

Jo Gilbert, Technical Director and GSMA Connected Manufacturing and Production lead, said: “To bolster operational efficiency, resilience, agility, and flexibility, manufacturing companies are investing in advanced connectivity, IoT, edge, and AI technologies.

“These innovations are generating massive data volumes across factories, requiring stronger data management capabilities to unlock business value. Furthermore, the growing convergence of IT and OT systems has expanded cyberattack surfaces, making cybersecurity a key priority for manufacturers.”

Telcos must be prepared to compete with a diverse array of players

To meet the demands of the market, operators face significant competition not only from their peers and equipment vendors, but also from a broad array of players, including hyperscalers and security vendors. In fact, 24% of operators view hyperscalers as formidable competitors in edge networking and cloud, while 41% view security vendors as key competitors in security.

Operators must invest in building new capabilities, enhancing their existing offerings in key areas like security and exploring partnerships in others such as cloud. By balancing internal investments with external partnerships, operators can remain competitive, optimize resources, and meet the evolving demands of the market.

Hatt continues: “Winning in market needs a new mindset and operational changes. To succeed operators must look to collaborative approaches and new partnerships as well as adopting an enterprise-centric solution-oriented approach; being more like IT consultants than connectivity sellers. Telcos need to consolidate and simplify enterprise portfolios, adapt sales and marketing, and acquire new technical and commercial skills to effectively serve ever-evolving needs of enterprise customers.”

Services beyond connectivity are gaining ground

The latest research tracks with earlier findings from GSMA Intelligence’s “Enterprise Opportunity 2024” survey, published in March 2024, where 36% of the operators said market leadership in enterprise connectivity and services is the primary goal of their B2B strategy; with leadership in enterprise connectivity second.

Historically, connectivity has received the highest share in previous editions of this survey. This is the first time operators have identified connectivity and services as their primary goal.

Furthermore, a majority (64%) of participants said they have already launched 5G services beyond connectivity for enterprises such as 5G IoT, private networks and Mobile Edge Compute. This signals a shift in focus towards services and the need to be good at bundling connectivity with services fit for enterprise needs.

New enterprise survey to be previewed at MWC Las Vegas 2024

As part of our participation at MWC Las Vegas 2024, GSMA Intelligence will be offering an exclusive preview of the forthcoming GSMA Intelligence Digital Transformation Survey 2024 results at the GSMA Pavilion in the exhibition hall, booth 557 — one month prior to the official launch. The survey, conducted with over 4,200 enterprises across 10 vertical sectors and 21 countries, provides a deep dive into digital transformation trends across key sectors such as manufacturing and financial services.

Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, wife of governor of Lagos State, has raised alarm over the rising cases of Tuberculosis (TB) in the state insisting that the disease remains a pressing public health concern.

Sanwo-Olu, who disclosed during a media briefing in Lagos, said that Nigeria reported over 479,000 cases in 2023, with Lagos accounting for 18,541 cases.

“These figures are alarming,” she stated, “but we have the resources, knowledge, and partnerships to change this trajectory. TB is preventable and curable, and with focused efforts, we can eradicate it from our communities.”

To combat the spread of TB, the First Lady announced a major grassroots initiative aimed at strengthening advocacy and prevention.

The initiative will include the investiture of female chairpersons and wives of Local Government Area (LGA) and Local Council Development Area (LCDA) chairmen. It will also feature the official launch of the Stop TB Partnership, Lagos, and the inauguration of the Lagos State TB Steering Committee.

These measures, according to the First Lady, represent critical steps in Lagos’ aggressive campaign to eradicate TB. The initiative will leverage local leadership to drive TB awareness and prevention efforts, particularly in high-risk communities.

“The 10 female chairpersons and 47 wives of LGA and LCDA chairmen will be instrumental in spreading TB awareness and promoting early detection and prevention strategies within their communities,” she explained.

“These local leaders are closest to the people, making them uniquely suited to challenge misconceptions, encourage health-seeking behavior, and ensure that TB is taken seriously. Tomorrow’s investiture is a step toward empowering them to lead this charge,” she added.

Sanwo-Olu further highlighted the critical role of the STOP TB Partnership and the TB Steering Committee, which will bring together public and private stakeholders, including international partners, to combat the disease.

The Steering Committee will oversee the implementation of strategies aimed at reducing TB transmission and improving health outcomes across the state.

During the briefing, the First Lady also praised the ongoing efforts to improve living conditions in slums and overcrowded areas such as military barracks, where TB thrives due to poor sanitation.

“Improving sanitation, clearing gutters, and ensuring better housing conditions are part of our broader strategy to fight TB,” she noted.

Collaboration across sectors will be key to the success of these initiatives, Sanwo-Olu stressed, calling on stakeholders from healthcare, education, infrastructure, finance, and law enforcement to contribute to the fight against TB.

She also called on religious bodies, community leaders, and private organizations to raise awareness and combat the stigma surrounding the disease.

Sanwo-Olu reiterated that TB diagnosis and treatment are free in Lagos, with services available at 301 Primary Healthcare Centres, 30 General Hospitals, and selected private hospitals offering Directly Observed Therapy Shortcourse (DOTS).

She urged anyone experiencing TB symptoms, such as a persistent cough lasting more than two weeks, to seek medical attention promptly.

Expressing her gratitude to the TB Steering Committee and the Stop TB Partnership for their dedication, Sanwo-Olu called for regular meetings with state TB champions to ensure continuous progress.

“Tomorrow’s event is not just a ceremony. It is a call to action. Together, we will make a lasting impact in the fight against TB, not just in Lagos, but across Nigeria,” she said.

Five Nigerian researchers made a significant impact at the 17^th International Conference on the Theory and Practice of E-Government (ICEGOV2024), held in Pretoria, South Africa. The event, organized by the United Nations University and UNESCO, attracted over 336 participants from 49 countries, underscoring the global importance of digital governance.

Representing the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) Director-General, Mr. Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, emphasized that the researchers’ participation aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which aims to leverage technology for economic diversification and enhanced governance.

Abdullahi highlighted the significance of Nigeria’s representation at the conference, noting that out of 157 submitted papers, only 85 were accepted, reflecting the competitive nature of the event. He stated that the insights gained from the research could catalyse technological innovations crucial for Nigeria’s economic diversification and governance improvement, furthering President Tinubu’s vision.

The Director-General confirmed NITDA’s commitment to supporting research initiatives, ensuring that Nigeria remains at the forefront of advancements in digital governance.

The showcased research spans various aspects of digital transformation, collectively aiming to enhance e-governance and stimulate economic growth through technological innovation. Below are brief outlines of the pivotal works presented:

Hassana Asuku’s presentation, “Bridging the Broadband Gap,” Asuku addresses the digital divide in rural areas by proposing a comprehensive strategy to improve broadband access. Her multidimensional approach seeks to enhance economic inclusion and civic engagement, aligning with the government’s push for digital growth.

Adeyinka Patrick Adewumi’s research on “Digital Competency in the Public Sector” highlights the challenges posed by low digital skills among civil servants. He proposes a model for targeted training and infrastructure upgrades to accelerate digital transformation.

Dr. Agbali Mohammed’s work on Scalable Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) tackles institutional barriers to deploying effective DPI in Nigeria, aiming to enhance public-private partnerships and improve regulatory frameworks.

Dr. Tanimu Mukhtar Garba’s research on Tax Compliance for SMEs introduces the Taxpoynt platform, designed to simplify tax processes for small businesses. This advancement is crucial considering the significant role of SMEs in Nigeria’s economy.

Dr. Salihu Dasuki Ibrahim’s work on Citizens’ Freedoms in E-Governance explores how DPI can enhance citizen liberties, addressing obstacles such as inadequate ICT infrastructure and data privacy concerns.

The contributions of these researchers not only position Nigeria as a leading voice in the global conversation on digital governance but also reflect the nation’s commitment to leveraging technology for sustainable economic growth and improved governance.