GITNUXREPORT 2025

Communication Industry Statistics

Communication industry rapidly expands driven by mobile, digital, and AI innovations.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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5. The average data usage per mobile user globally increased to 22.7 GB/month in 2021

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11. The average number of messages sent per day in messaging apps worldwide was about 69 billion in 2022

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15. Around 61% of internet users watched live streams in 2022

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19. The average number of hours spent on social media per user was 2 hours and 27 minutes per day in 2023

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21. Around 28% of all internet traffic in 2022 was generated by mobile devices

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27. The average time spent on the internet per day by adults was 6 hours and 55 minutes in 2023

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28. Approximately 66% of internet users consume video content regularly

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34. 70% of consumers preferred to communicate with brands via messaging apps in 2023

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37. 55% of internet traffic is now accessed via mobile devices

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39. Nearly 60% of internet users worldwide are concerned about online privacy

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40. The average data consumption per 4G smartphone user was 8.2 GB/month in 2021

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43. The average length of a podcast episode was 41 minutes in 2022

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50. Over 60% of internet traffic originates from mobile devices as of 2023

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52. The average daily time spent on social media in the US increased to 2 hours and 4 minutes in 2023

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56. Over 45% of smartphone users used augmented reality (AR) apps in 2022

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58. About 68% of internet users watch online videos on their smartphones

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67. The average time spent on messaging apps globally was approximately 30 minutes per day in 2022

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68. 60% of internet traffic is now generated by mobile and tablet devices combined

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13. The average broadband internet speed worldwide was 89.0 Mbps in mid-2022

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1. The global telecommunications market was valued at approximately $1.83 trillion in 2020

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12. About 35% of communication industry revenue was generated from subscriptions in 2021

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24. The worldwide enterprise communication services market was valued at approximately $635 billion in 2021

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26. The global digital content market was valued at $189.4 billion in 2021

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30. The average revenue per user (ARPU) for telecom service providers was $22.60 globally in 2022

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33. The average cost of deploying a new telecom tower is approximately $150,000 in developing countries

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60. The average cost-per-click (CPC) for Google Ads across all industries was $2.69 in 2022

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69. Nearly 90% of telecom operators worldwide are investing in infrastructure upgrades in 2023

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74. The average cost of a high-quality virtual event platform subscription increased by 25% in 2022

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75. Over 70% of communication industry executives foresee AI transforming customer service by 2025

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2. Over 4.9 billion people were using the internet worldwide in 2021

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3. Mobile internet penetration reached 76.2% globally in 2021

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4. The number of 5G subscriptions worldwide surpassed 1.4 billion in 2022

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6. The number of active social media users worldwide reached 4.7 billion in 2022

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7. The global advertising spend on digital media was approximately $455 billion in 2021

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9. The number of smart home device shipments increased to over 270 million units in 2021

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10. The global VoIP market was valued at around $105 billion in 2020

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14. The total number of podcasts worldwide exceeded 2 million in 2022

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16. The number of IoT connections worldwide was estimated at 14.4 billion in 2022

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17. The global cloud communication platform market size was valued at $5.7 billion in 2022

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18. Approximately 45% of the world's population had access to fixed broadband internet in 2021

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20. Mobile messaging app downloads accounted for over 1 billion downloads globally in 2022

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22. The global satellite services market was valued at $19.4 billion in 2021

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23. The number of connected vehicles worldwide is projected to reach 247 million by 2023

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25. Over 80% of businesses reported using cloud communication tools in 2022

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29. The global mobile user base reached nearly 5 billion in 2022

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31. 88% of communication industry companies planned to increase their investment in 5G infrastructure in 2023

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32. The number of voice assistant device users worldwide increased to 3.25 billion in 2022

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35. The number of short-form video users worldwide is projected to reach 1.2 billion in 2025

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36. The world's most popular social media platform, Facebook, had over 2.9 billion active users monthly in 2023

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38. The global online video advertising market grew to $62 billion in 2021

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41. Over 75% of companies in the communication industry increased their investment in cybersecurity in 2022

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42. The total number of global email accounts exceeded 4.3 billion in 2022

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44. The global market for video conferencing was valued at $4.4 billion in 2020

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45. The number of IoT devices is expected to reach 29.4 billion by 2023

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47. The global market for OTT (over-the-top) media services is projected to reach $195 billion by 2025

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48. There was a 35% increase in the use of virtual events and webinars in 2021

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49. The number of worldwide podcast listeners is projected to reach 1.9 billion by 2024

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51. The number of global social media users is forecasted to grow to 4.89 billion in 2023

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53. The global cloud computing market is expected to reach $832.1 billion by 2025

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54. The majority of telecom companies have deployed AI-powered customer service solutions by 2022, with 63% adoption rate

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55. Worldwide mobile payment transaction volume was approximately $6.7 trillion in 2022

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59. The number of digital ad impressions worldwide exceeded 13 trillion in 2022

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62. The number of active enterprise apps connected through unified communications platforms grew by 32% in 2022

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63. The global digital advertising industry is forecasted to generate over $786 billion in revenue in 2023

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64. The number of adults using voice assistants in the US increased to 114 million in 2023

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65. Over 80% of businesses plan to increase their investment in video marketing strategies in 2023

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66. The global digital content creation market is valued at approximately $22 billion in 2022

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70. The global market for digital voice assistants is projected to reach $11.2 billion by 2025

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72. The number of active users on TikTok exceeded 1 billion in 2023

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73. The global enterprise video market is expected to reach $21.2 billion by 2026

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8. Over 3.8 billion people watch YouTube regularly as of 2023

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46. About 40% of internet traffic is driven by video streaming services

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57. The global e-sports audience reached 474 million viewers in 2021

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61. 70% of global internet traffic is expected to be video by 2025

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71. Over 50% of online video content is consumed via mobile devices in regions like Asia-Pacific

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Key Highlights

1. The global telecommunications market was valued at approximately $1.83 trillion in 2020
2. Over 4.9 billion people were using the internet worldwide in 2021
3. Mobile internet penetration reached 76.2% globally in 2021
4. The number of 5G subscriptions worldwide surpassed 1.4 billion in 2022
5. The average data usage per mobile user globally increased to 22.7 GB/month in 2021
6. The number of active social media users worldwide reached 4.7 billion in 2022
7. The global advertising spend on digital media was approximately $455 billion in 2021
8. Over 3.8 billion people watch YouTube regularly as of 2023
9. The number of smart home device shipments increased to over 270 million units in 2021
10. The global VoIP market was valued at around $105 billion in 2020
11. The average number of messages sent per day in messaging apps worldwide was about 69 billion in 2022
12. About 35% of communication industry revenue was generated from subscriptions in 2021
13. The average broadband internet speed worldwide was 89.0 Mbps in mid-2022

The communication industry is experiencing unprecedented growth and innovation, driven by a surge in global internet usage, rapid adoption of 5G and IoT devices, and the rise of digital content and marketing—making it a focal point of technological evolution shaping our connected world.

Consumer Behavior and Usage Patterns

5. The average data usage per mobile user globally increased to 22.7 GB/month in 2021
11. The average number of messages sent per day in messaging apps worldwide was about 69 billion in 2022
15. Around 61% of internet users watched live streams in 2022
19. The average number of hours spent on social media per user was 2 hours and 27 minutes per day in 2023
21. Around 28% of all internet traffic in 2022 was generated by mobile devices
27. The average time spent on the internet per day by adults was 6 hours and 55 minutes in 2023
28. Approximately 66% of internet users consume video content regularly
34. 70% of consumers preferred to communicate with brands via messaging apps in 2023
37. 55% of internet traffic is now accessed via mobile devices
39. Nearly 60% of internet users worldwide are concerned about online privacy
40. The average data consumption per 4G smartphone user was 8.2 GB/month in 2021
43. The average length of a podcast episode was 41 minutes in 2022
50. Over 60% of internet traffic originates from mobile devices as of 2023
52. The average daily time spent on social media in the US increased to 2 hours and 4 minutes in 2023
56. Over 45% of smartphone users used augmented reality (AR) apps in 2022
58. About 68% of internet users watch online videos on their smartphones
67. The average time spent on messaging apps globally was approximately 30 minutes per day in 2022
68. 60% of internet traffic is now generated by mobile and tablet devices combined

Consumer Behavior and Usage Patterns Interpretation

As our digital lives swell to feed an insatiable appetite for streaming, messaging, and social scrolling—averaging nearly 7 hours online daily—it's clear that in today's interconnected world, mobile devices are the new digital arteries, even as users remain privacy-conscious amid the relentless surge of data consumption.

Emerging Technologies and Innovations

13. The average broadband internet speed worldwide was 89.0 Mbps in mid-2022

Emerging Technologies and Innovations Interpretation

With an average broadband speed of 89.0 Mbps globally in mid-2022, the world has officially moved from dial-up nostalgia to streaming convenience, yet the bandwidth race continues as demand outpaces supply.

Industry Insights and Business Strategies

1. The global telecommunications market was valued at approximately $1.83 trillion in 2020
12. About 35% of communication industry revenue was generated from subscriptions in 2021
24. The worldwide enterprise communication services market was valued at approximately $635 billion in 2021
26. The global digital content market was valued at $189.4 billion in 2021
30. The average revenue per user (ARPU) for telecom service providers was $22.60 globally in 2022
33. The average cost of deploying a new telecom tower is approximately $150,000 in developing countries
60. The average cost-per-click (CPC) for Google Ads across all industries was $2.69 in 2022
69. Nearly 90% of telecom operators worldwide are investing in infrastructure upgrades in 2023
74. The average cost of a high-quality virtual event platform subscription increased by 25% in 2022
75. Over 70% of communication industry executives foresee AI transforming customer service by 2025

Industry Insights and Business Strategies Interpretation

With a $1.83 trillion global valuation and nearly 90% of telecom operators upgrading infrastructure in 2023, the communication industry is undeniably steering toward a future where AI-driven customer service, digital content, and virtual experiences are not just enhancements but essential investments—albeit at a cost that includes navigating a $150,000 telecom tower startup or a 25% leap in virtual event platform prices.

Market Growth and Adoption

2. Over 4.9 billion people were using the internet worldwide in 2021
3. Mobile internet penetration reached 76.2% globally in 2021
4. The number of 5G subscriptions worldwide surpassed 1.4 billion in 2022
6. The number of active social media users worldwide reached 4.7 billion in 2022
7. The global advertising spend on digital media was approximately $455 billion in 2021
9. The number of smart home device shipments increased to over 270 million units in 2021
10. The global VoIP market was valued at around $105 billion in 2020
14. The total number of podcasts worldwide exceeded 2 million in 2022
16. The number of IoT connections worldwide was estimated at 14.4 billion in 2022
17. The global cloud communication platform market size was valued at $5.7 billion in 2022
18. Approximately 45% of the world's population had access to fixed broadband internet in 2021
20. Mobile messaging app downloads accounted for over 1 billion downloads globally in 2022
22. The global satellite services market was valued at $19.4 billion in 2021
23. The number of connected vehicles worldwide is projected to reach 247 million by 2023
25. Over 80% of businesses reported using cloud communication tools in 2022
29. The global mobile user base reached nearly 5 billion in 2022
31. 88% of communication industry companies planned to increase their investment in 5G infrastructure in 2023
32. The number of voice assistant device users worldwide increased to 3.25 billion in 2022
35. The number of short-form video users worldwide is projected to reach 1.2 billion in 2025
36. The world's most popular social media platform, Facebook, had over 2.9 billion active users monthly in 2023
38. The global online video advertising market grew to $62 billion in 2021
41. Over 75% of companies in the communication industry increased their investment in cybersecurity in 2022
42. The total number of global email accounts exceeded 4.3 billion in 2022
44. The global market for video conferencing was valued at $4.4 billion in 2020
45. The number of IoT devices is expected to reach 29.4 billion by 2023
47. The global market for OTT (over-the-top) media services is projected to reach $195 billion by 2025
48. There was a 35% increase in the use of virtual events and webinars in 2021
49. The number of worldwide podcast listeners is projected to reach 1.9 billion by 2024
51. The number of global social media users is forecasted to grow to 4.89 billion in 2023
53. The global cloud computing market is expected to reach $832.1 billion by 2025
54. The majority of telecom companies have deployed AI-powered customer service solutions by 2022, with 63% adoption rate
55. Worldwide mobile payment transaction volume was approximately $6.7 trillion in 2022
59. The number of digital ad impressions worldwide exceeded 13 trillion in 2022
62. The number of active enterprise apps connected through unified communications platforms grew by 32% in 2022
63. The global digital advertising industry is forecasted to generate over $786 billion in revenue in 2023
64. The number of adults using voice assistants in the US increased to 114 million in 2023
65. Over 80% of businesses plan to increase their investment in video marketing strategies in 2023
66. The global digital content creation market is valued at approximately $22 billion in 2022
70. The global market for digital voice assistants is projected to reach $11.2 billion by 2025
72. The number of active users on TikTok exceeded 1 billion in 2023
73. The global enterprise video market is expected to reach $21.2 billion by 2026

Market Growth and Adoption Interpretation

With over 4.9 billion internet users and a booming digital economy fueling everything from 5G subscriptions and IoT connections to podcasts surpassing 2 million, the communication industry is not just connecting people—it's transforming the fabric of daily life into a hyper-connected, AI-powered, virtual universe where investments in cybersecurity, cloud computing, and video marketing are soaring, proving that in the digital age, staying offline is the real exception.

Media Consumption Trends

8. Over 3.8 billion people watch YouTube regularly as of 2023
46. About 40% of internet traffic is driven by video streaming services
57. The global e-sports audience reached 474 million viewers in 2021
61. 70% of global internet traffic is expected to be video by 2025
71. Over 50% of online video content is consumed via mobile devices in regions like Asia-Pacific

Media Consumption Trends Interpretation

With over 3.8 billion viewers and nearly half of all internet traffic now streaming or gaming via mobile, the communication industry’s future hinges on mastering the art of captivating a global, mobile-first audience hungry for video.