MWC 2025 opened in Barcelona, where GSMA Director General Mats Granryd outlined "GROW" as the telecom industry's next strategic phase. The initiative centers on four priorities: expanding 5G, increasing revenue, identifying new business opportunities, and refining spectrum management.
Credit: DIGITIMES
5G adoption accelerates, but challenges remain
Granryd noted that 5G adoption is progressing at an unprecedented pace, with global 5G connections reaching 2 billion by 2024—one of the fastest technology rollouts in history. Despite over 300 live 5G networks, only 61 have fully implemented the complete 5G standard.
A full-scale 5G rollout could inject US$4.7 trillion into the global economy by 2030—equivalent to three times Spain's GDP. However, the growing gap between capital expenditures and revenue remains a concern. Granryd cautioned that failing to address this imbalance could undermine the industry's financial viability.
GSMA Director General, Mats Granryd. Credit: DIGITIMES
Telecom's revenue dilemma: invest or stagnate
Despite telecom operators maintaining 85% of the world's network infrastructure, revenue growth has failed to keep pace with soaring digital demand. Granryd warned that without a shift in the current model, operators will face a binary choice—curb investments or find new revenue streams.
Open gateway: unlocking new revenue streams
Granryd called on telecom operators to diversify revenue sources, citing Open Gateway as a key avenue for growth. Nearly 80% of mobile carriers have adopted the initiative, deploying 52 commercial networks and over 200 APIs in just two years. Since June 2024, Open Gateway's revenue has surged by 120%.
Open Gateway's impact extends beyond telecom, with industries and governments leveraging the technology. Banks are using it to bolster fraud detection, while automotive and aviation companies are integrating APIs to enhance their operations.
With an estimated market value of US$300 billion, Open Gateway presents telecom operators with a lucrative new revenue stream.
AI's growing role in telecom
Artificial intelligence is emerging as another key telecom growth driver. Generative AI is expected to contribute US$5 trillion annually to the global economy, with US$100 billion attributed to the telecom sector. In India, AI-powered anti-spam solutions already process 1 trillion data points daily, identifying 100 million spam calls.
MWC 2025 Centers on 3C: Converge, Connect, Create—With AI in Focus. Credit: DIGITIMES
Spectrum allocation: a critical factor for 5G growth
Granryd stressed that effective spectrum management is crucial for economic growth. Over the past decade, US$500 billion has been invested in spectrum, yet rising costs are straining resource allocation.
As 5G scales up, future bandwidth needs could reach 200–400 GHz, making long-term spectrum planning a top priority.
Bridging the digital divide: a US$3.5 trillion opportunity
Despite 70% of the world's population having internet access, 3.1 billion people remain within network coverage yet lack full digital access.
Bridging this digital usage gap could contribute US$3.5 trillion to global GDP by 2030, with a third of the gains stemming from narrowing the gender digital divide.
Granryd stated that with infrastructure already in place, the focus must now shift to removing barriers and accelerating digital inclusion.
5G's future: a defining moment for the telecom sector
Granryd asserted that by executing the GROW strategy—expanding 5G, driving revenue, leveraging API-driven business models, and securing long-term spectrum resources—the telecom industry is poised for its next major transformation.
Article edited by Jack Wu
