Ten Years in Telecoms: A Decade of Change and Transformation

Last weekend, while watching the North London derby, I realised that today marks a decade of working in the telecom sector. The relationship between football and telecoms is a story for another time. But on 19 September 2014, I began my first job in telecoms with Ovum (now Omdia), and here I am, ten years later, working for the GSMA, the uniting voice of the industry. Having had the privilege of collaborating with some of the brightest minds in the field got me thinking about the profound changes in the industry over the past decade.

Here are the top ten changes I've seen in the last ten years.

1) 5G Rollout: Expectations vs Reality

In 2014, the world focused on 4G, with telecom operators expanding coverage and improving data speeds, which led to the proliferation of mobile apps. In 2024, 5G networks have been widely deployed, delivering faster data speeds, lower latency, and greater network capacity. The promises of 5G have enabled futuristic applications like autonomous vehicles, smart cities, and robotics. However, despite the progress, many believe 5G is still far from reaching its full potential. Operators continue to struggle with monetising 5G, and deployment has lagged in many regions, especially in low- and mid-income countries.

2) Shift from Voice to Data and New Revenue Streams

In 2014, voice and SMS were still major sources of revenue for telecom operators, although data consumption was quickly growing. Today, data has become the primary revenue stream, with voice and SMS often bundled as secondary, sometimes free, services. The rise of video streaming, cloud services, and mobile apps has fueled data consumption. Operators are also exploring new revenue streams, from open APIs, digital services like streaming and banking to enterprise solutions like private 5G networks. Telecoms are increasingly partnering with sectors such as healthcare and education, transforming themselves into digital ecosystem players.

3) The Rise of IoT and Edge Computing

IoT emerged in 2014, with limited applications mostly confined to industrial use cases. By 2024, IoT had exploded, with billions of connected devices ranging from smart home products to aggriculture sensors. Edge computing has played a vital role in accelerating IoT adoption, allowing data to be processed closer to the user and improving latency for real-time applications like VR, AR, and autonomous systems. Telecom operators have also strengthened partnerships with cloud providers to offer integrated cloud and edge services, unlocking new business opportunities.

4) Network Virtualization and Open Networks

In 2014, telecom networks were largely closed systems dominated by a handful of hardware vendors. The industry has shifted toward virtualized and software-defined networks (SDN), relying on software rather than physical hardware to manage network functions. The rise of Open RAN (Open Radio Access Network) has also decentralised telecom networks, allowing for greater competition and innovation by separating hardware and software components. This transformation has made networks more agile, cost-efficient, and scalable.

5) Telecom as Critical Infrastructure

A decade ago, telecoms were seen as one of many essential services, but their role has since grown. The COVID-19 pandemic was a turning point, solidifying telecom networks as critical infrastructure for economic stability and social connectivity. As people turned to digital solutions for remote work, education, and social interaction, governments recognised telecoms as indispensable to modern life, shaping future policies accordingly.

6) Competition and Market Consolidation

Over the last ten years, we’ve seen significant consolidation across many markets. Consolidation is one of the few viable options for mobile operators to grow. Fewer but larger operators now dominate the industry, benefiting from economies of scale. Regulators have intervened to ensure market fairness, often setting conditions for mergers such as infrastructure commitments. The industry structure in Europe still has space for more consolidation to encourage investment and innovation.

7) Regulation of OTT, Big Tech, and Platform Dominance

When I first entered the industry, regulation primarily focused on traditional telecom players. But today, Big Tech companies dominate many of the services that telecoms once controlled. Regulators have begun scrutinising these tech giants more closely, particularly around data use, competition, and content moderation. The rise of OTT (over-the-top) services, which offer communication solutions over the Internet, has also challenged traditional telecom revenues, forcing regulators to rethink how to manage the interplay between these new players and traditional telecom operators.

8) Digital Inclusion: From Coverage to Usage Gaps

In the 2010s, the focus was on closing the coverage gap—bringing basic mobile and internet connectivity to underserved and rural areas. By 2024, 95% of the world population is covered by mobile broadband but not everyone uses it. Hence that focus has shifted to closing the usage gap. Governments and telecom operators are working to ensure that people not only have access to the internet but also the skills, devices, and services necessary to benefit from digital connectivity. Public-private partnerships have been key in funding infrastructure, and remain key to device affordability and promoting digital skills.

9) Increased Focus on Data Privacy and Security

Data privacy was a growing concern in 2014, but policies were often fragmented by region. Today, privacy and security are central to telecom regulation, with frameworks like the GDPR in Europe and similar laws in Brazil, India, and Japan taking centre stage. Telecom operators are now subject to stricter data protection requirements, and governments have imposed cybersecurity standards to safeguard critical infrastructure from threats like hacking and espionage. Geopolitics are playing increasing role in telecom regulation too.

10) Sustainability: From Commitment to Action

In 2016, the mobile industry became the first to commit to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By 2024, telecom operators are actively reducing their carbon footprints. Renewable energy powers data centres and networks, and the industry is working on energy-efficient infrastructure and follows circular economy principles. Telecom’s enablement role in reducing the environmental impact of other sectors through connectivity solutions has also grown.

Looking Ahead

The next decade promises even more technological advancements, evolving business models, convergence between industries and a dynamic regulatory environment. With 6G on the horizon and AI taking a central role, telecom players must navigate a rapidly evolving landscape, seek more partnerships and be prepared for more disruption. One thing is certain—there will be plenty to unpack in a blog ten years from now— while North London remains red.

PS: This blog is based on my observations of the industry. It does not necessarily reflect the views of my current or past employers.