Report

The Telecom Operations Management Market size is estimated at USD 88.62 billion in 2025, and is expected to reach USD 138.93 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 9.41% during the forecast period (2025-2030).

Key Highlights
- Investments in interoperability and technology within the telecommunications sector have restructured global capital flows and information exchange, facilitating the emergence of entirely new business models across various sectors. These investments enable industries to capitalize on advanced communication technologies, fostering innovation and operational efficiency. As bandwidth demand escalates and the number of mobile internet users increases, communication service providers are proactively introducing advanced and innovative solutions to address the evolving requirements of both consumers and businesses.
- Furthermore, the rapid pace of technological advancements within the telecommunications industry is driving the development of new services and applications, thereby reinforcing its critical role in the global economy.
- However, the coexistence of legacy networks and the growing infrastructure requirements of 5G have introduced complexities, presenting significant challenges for communication service providers (CSPs). The transition to 5G necessitates extensive infrastructure upgrades, which, when combined with the maintenance of existing legacy systems, creates a challenging operational environment. This situation underscores the increasing necessity for CSPs to adopt advanced operations support systems to optimize processes, enhance efficiency, and ensure seamless service delivery. The integration of sophisticated technologies, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, into operations support systems is anticipated to be instrumental in addressing these challenges and achieving operational excellence.
- Additionally, the persistent demand for affordable data and voice services continues to drive market growth. This trend enables service providers to procure network services from mobile network operators (MNOs) at wholesale rates and subsequently offer them as bundled services at competitive prices. This approach caters to cost-conscious consumers while fostering competition within the market. Furthermore, the increasing penetration of smartphones and the expansion of internet connectivity in emerging markets are expected to further accelerate the growth of the telecommunications market during the forecast period.
- Rising inflation escalates operational costs for telecoms, from network maintenance to labor. Additionally, climbing interest rates render financing for expansions or tech upgrades pricier, decelerating infrastructure investments. Companies with a global footprint also contend with currency depreciation risks; a dip in a local currency can inflate operational costs for telecom equipment. Although on a global scale, inflation is trending downwards. The IMF forecasts a decline from 6.8% in 2023 to 5.9% in 2024 and further to 4.5% in 2025, heralding a potential market growth spurt.


Telecom Operations Management Market Trends

Cloud to be the Leading Deployment Type


- To stay competitive in a fast-changing digital landscape, communications service providers (CSPs) are adopting cloud-native architectures. While network cloud transformations enhance efficiency and agility, challenges like operational transformation and ecosystem maturity slow progress. Companies are addressing these issues with tailored solutions to simplify and accelerate telecom network evolution.
- In February 2025, Dell Technologies launched the Open Telecom Transformation Program with Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions to streamline network cloud transformations for CSPs. Collaborating with Ericsson, Nokia, and AMD, Dell focuses on horizontal network cloud adoption and telecom AI use cases. Dell works with CSPs to define goals, assess infrastructure, and recommend optimal architectures for long-term strategies.
- In February 2025, Red Hat, Inc. announced that Red Hat OpenShift would power T-Mobile's unified telco cloud across core and far-edge operations. Using Red Hat OpenShift Platform Plus, T-Mobile aims to enhance automation, streamline operations, reduce costs, and accelerate time-to-market for new services.
- Initiatives like Digital India are driving the transition from legacy systems to cloud-based models. The GI Cloud (MeghRaj) initiative promotes cloud adoption across government departments. In February 2025, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) recommended introducing Cloud-hosted Telecom Network (CTN) Provider Authorization under the Telecommunications Act, 2023. Entities must obtain this authorization to establish or expand cloud-hosted telecom networks.
- According to the National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM), 53% of Indian enterprises increased cloud adoption in 2024, with 84% of large organizations adopting Software as a Service (SaaS). Infosys Limited reported that 77% of telecom executives find cloud migration highly effective. Telecom firms spend USD 32 million annually on cloud, close to the USD 33 million average.
- In conclusion, the telecom sector is rapidly transitioning to cloud-native architectures to enhance efficiency, agility, and innovation. Strategic collaborations, government initiatives, and software advancements are driving this transformation.


Asia Pacific Expected to Witness Significant Growth


- Asia-Pacific stands out as a pivotal region for the telecom operation management market, driven by its rapidly growing telecom sector and vast customer base. The region is making substantial investments in 5G services, with the Chinese government, alongside telecom operators and vendors, intensifying efforts to expedite 5G installations. This swift expansion not only propels digital transformation across various industries but also bolsters the region's economic sustainability. As a result, several countries in the region are witnessing a surge in 5G technology adoption, further fueling market growth.
- The GSMA's Mobile Economy China 2024 report highlights China's ambitious trajectory, forecasting a 90% 5G adoption rate by 2030, solidifying its status as a global mobile connectivity leader. With projections of 5G connections soaring to 1.6 billion by 2030, the technology is poised to inject a whopping USD 260 billion into China's GDP. Notably, by November 2024, China crossed a monumental threshold, with 5G mobile phone subscriptions exceeding 1 billion, as per the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) data.
- By the close of 2024, India boasted nearly 270 million 5G subscribers, constituting 23% of the nation's mobile subscriptions, as highlighted in Ericsson's latest mobility report. This marks a substantial leap from the 110-120 million 5G users tallied in 2023. Furthermore, Ericsson's insights predict India will command a notable 20% share of global fixed wireless access (FWA) subscriptions by 2030.
- As of March 2024, South Korea proudly reported around 33.4 million 5G subscribers, predominantly contracted with SK Telecom, as per the Ministry of Science and ICT. The Korean government has been instrumental in this 5G surge, implementing strategic institutional arrangements and a comprehensive timeline for deployment and commercialization.
- Moreover, telecom operations management is gaining momentum, driven by the surge in mobile internet users. Mobile internet refers to accessing the internet on devices through wireless communication. As the number of internet users rises, telecom companies grapple with heightened operational pressures. These challenges are effectively addressed by telecom operations management solutions, which streamline both routine tasks and complex processes. According to GSMA, mobile internet user penetration in the Asia-Pacific region climbed to 51% in 2023, up from 49% in 2018, with projections suggesting a rise to 61% by 2030.
- As the region continues to adopt 5G technologies, driven by the increasing technological advancements and government efforts to boost the adoption, this will drive market growth.


Telecom Operations Management Industry Overview

Telecom operators, often regional powerhouses, navigate a fiercely competitive landscape, especially in areas dominated by state-owned entities. This competition is heightened as operators strive to stay relevant amidst shifting market dynamics. To this end, they forge alliances and join working groups, ensuring they're in tune with industry trends and technological innovations.

The market is led by major players like Ericsson, Nokia, Amdocs, Cisco, HPE, and other prominent players, all of whom report substantial revenues and consistent profit growth. Telecom operators rely on integrated, long-term operations management solutions, making the transition to alternative providers both complex and costly. However, the increasing adoption of cloud technologies and the implementation of open APIs are facilitating smoother transitions for customers to new solutions.

In a bid to bolster their offerings, telecom operators are increasingly collaborating with infrastructure vendors. For instance, in March 2025, a major operator teamed up with Vantage Towers, Europe's second-largest telecom tower operator boasting 86,000 sites. Together, they unveiled a digital service platform designed to enhance the experience for property owners leasing land for telecom towers. Such partnerships highlight the lengths to which telecom operators go to stay competitive and meet changing customer needs.

The market is rife with innovations in automation, AI, and cloud solutions, complicating differentiation efforts. Additionally, price wars and competitive pricing strategies are squeezing profit margins. As these advancements surge, companies find themselves compelled to invest significantly in R&D to stay abreast of trends and carve out a unique identity.

In summary, the competitive rivalry among telecom vendors is projected to remain moderately high in the coming years.

Additional Benefits:

- The market estimate (ME) sheet in Excel format
- 3 months of analyst support