Carriers in Most of the World to See Flat Revenue While Emerging Markets Take Off

Global telecom providers took in a whopping $1.5 trillion in revenue last year, but that figure won’t grow a heck of a lot over the next few years.

According to a forecast from Analysys Mason, telecom revenue will increase just 1.7 percent annually through 2017, with growth in mobile offsetting a decline in fixed connections. Meanwhile, revenue will be flat or down in most parts of the world, with key emerging markets accounting for the bulk of growth.

Currently, around two-thirds of revenue comes from North America, Europe and developed parts of Asia. However, the biggest growth will come in emerging markets.

Emerging markets will grow an estimated 5.3 percent yearly through 2017, while North America will see a fractional gain, and revenue declines are expected in Europe and the developed parts of Asia.

Three countries in particular will account for 60 percent of all revenue growth in the forecast period: China (40 percent of all growth), India (12 percent) and Brazil (8 percent).