GITNUXREPORT 2025

Communications Industry Statistics

Global telecom market surges with 5.4% growth, exceeding $1.7 trillion by 2027.

Jannik Linder

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

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

78% of global internet users access the web via mobile devices

Statistic 2

The average global data usage per mobile user is 13 GB per month as of 2023

Statistic 3

About 73% of internet users access social media via their mobile phones

Statistic 4

The average time spent on mobile devices per day is approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes globally

Statistic 5

63% of consumers worldwide are willing to pay more for better mobile network quality

Statistic 6

Around 60% of global internet traffic is now video-based content

Statistic 7

North America had the highest average mobile data consumption per user at 26 GB/month in 2023

Statistic 8

72% of consumers prefer to communicate via messaging apps rather than traditional voice calls, emphasizing shifts in communication preferences

Statistic 9

Over 60% of internet traffic in 2023 was generated by mobile devices, indicating ongoing growth in mobile communication usage

Statistic 10

The global demand for satellite communications is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.3% through 2028

Statistic 11

The number of data centers worldwide increased by 12% in 2023, totaling over 8,000 facilities

Statistic 12

Cloud communication market forecasts indicate a compound annual growth rate of 18.4% through 2027

Statistic 13

The penetration rate for wearable communication devices (smartwatches, AR glasses) is expected to reach 35% worldwide by 2025

Statistic 14

The average cost per megabit for mobile data decreased by 28% globally from 2020 to 2023, making data more affordable

Statistic 15

The number of cross-border data flows increased by 150% between 2015 and 2023, reflecting the global connectivity growth

Statistic 16

Approximately 65% of enterprise IT budgets are allocated to communications and collaboration tools in 2023, demonstrating increased reliance on digital communications

Statistic 17

The number of active blockchain-based communication platforms increased by 35% in 2023, reflecting innovations in secure messaging

Statistic 18

The global telecommunications industry is projected to reach $1.7 trillion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 5.4%

Statistic 19

Over 4.9 billion people were using the internet worldwide as of 2023

Statistic 20

Mobile subscriptions worldwide reached 8.1 billion in 2023, with a penetration rate of 103%

Statistic 21

The number of 5G subscriptions worldwide exceeded 2 billion by mid-2023

Statistic 22

Telecommunications companies invested over $1.7 trillion globally in network infrastructure in 2022

Statistic 23

The global IoT market size is expected to grow to $1.4 trillion by 2027

Statistic 24

89% of businesses worldwide leverage cloud communication services

Statistic 25

The number of active social media users worldwide surpassed 4.9 billion in 2023

Statistic 26

The global streaming revenue in the media and communications industry reached $224 billion in 2023

Statistic 27

Over 3.7 billion people worldwide subscribe to digital television services in 2023

Statistic 28

The number of broadband subscriptions worldwide reached 1.2 billion in 2023

Statistic 29

The revenue from fixed broadband services worldwide was approximately $290 billion in 2022

Statistic 30

Voice-over-IP (VoIP) traffic accounts for more than 50% of global internet telephony

Statistic 31

The average revenue per user (ARPU) for telecom services globally was approximately $17 in 2023

Statistic 32

The number of global eSIM connections surpassed 650 million in 2023, growing rapidly from previous years

Statistic 33

The worldwide digital advertising spend reached over $560 billion in 2023, with major investments in social media and video

Statistic 34

The number of email users worldwide is expected to reach 4.6 billion in 2025, up from 4.3 billion in 2023

Statistic 35

The telecommunications industry employs approximately 4.5 million people globally as of 2023

Statistic 36

The global market for communications services is projected to grow at a CAGR of around 4.9%, reaching $2.5 trillion by 2025

Statistic 37

The number of enterprise connected devices is projected to hit 25 billion by 2025

Statistic 38

Around 40% of all internet traffic in 2023 was generated by IoT devices

Statistic 39

The global market for 5G chipsets is expected to reach $15.7 billion by 2027, rising from $2.2 billion in 2023

Statistic 40

The top five telecommunications companies by revenue in 2023 included AT&T, Verizon, China Mobile, Deutsche Telekom, and Nippon Telegraph & Telephone, with combined revenue exceeding $900 billion

Statistic 41

The number of mobile apps available in app stores surpassed 5 million in 2023, with social media and communication apps among the most downloaded

Statistic 42

The global demand for cybersecurity within communication networks is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10.8% over the next five years, reaching $180 billion by 2028

Statistic 43

The global video conferencing market size was valued at $8 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 11.2% through 2028

Statistic 44

The average revenue of the top 10 telecom operators worldwide accounted for over $600 billion in 2023, with the U.S. and China leading the market

Statistic 45

Data from the World Bank shows that mobile cellular subscriptions per 100 people increased from 75 in 2010 to 106 in 2023

Statistic 46

The average speed of mobile internet in OECD countries was 65 Mbps in 2023, considerably higher than the global average

Statistic 47

84% of people in urban areas worldwide have access to high-speed broadband, while only 57% in rural areas do

Statistic 48

The average speed of fixed broadband in Europe was 136 Mbps in 2023, compared to 65 Mbps in OECD average

Statistic 49

The average latency for mobile networks in urban areas was 30 ms in 2023, improving from previous years

Statistic 50

Approximately 50% of global internet traffic is encrypted with HTTPS as of 2023, enhancing security in communications

Statistic 51

Satellite internet services are expanding to cover 80% of the global population by 2025, up from 50% coverage in 2022

Statistic 52

The use of Artificial Intelligence in telecom network management increased by 42% between 2022 and 2023, improving predictive maintenance and customer experience

Statistic 53

The adoption rate for 4G LTE networks reached 98% coverage in urban areas globally by 2023, up significantly from previous years

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Key Highlights

The global telecommunications industry is projected to reach $1.7 trillion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 5.4%
Over 4.9 billion people were using the internet worldwide as of 2023
Mobile subscriptions worldwide reached 8.1 billion in 2023, with a penetration rate of 103%
78% of global internet users access the web via mobile devices
The average global data usage per mobile user is 13 GB per month as of 2023
The number of 5G subscriptions worldwide exceeded 2 billion by mid-2023
Telecommunications companies invested over $1.7 trillion globally in network infrastructure in 2022
The global IoT market size is expected to grow to $1.4 trillion by 2027
89% of businesses worldwide leverage cloud communication services
The number of active social media users worldwide surpassed 4.9 billion in 2023
About 73% of internet users access social media via their mobile phones
The global streaming revenue in the media and communications industry reached $224 billion in 2023
Over 3.7 billion people worldwide subscribe to digital television services in 2023

The communications industry is on the cusp of a revolutionary transformation, driven by exponential growth in mobile and internet connectivity, with projections indicating a global market worth over $1.7 trillion by 2027 and innovations like 5G, IoT, and AI reshaping how billions stay connected every day.

Consumer Behavior and Usage Patterns

78% of global internet users access the web via mobile devices
The average global data usage per mobile user is 13 GB per month as of 2023
About 73% of internet users access social media via their mobile phones
The average time spent on mobile devices per day is approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes globally
63% of consumers worldwide are willing to pay more for better mobile network quality
Around 60% of global internet traffic is now video-based content
North America had the highest average mobile data consumption per user at 26 GB/month in 2023
72% of consumers prefer to communicate via messaging apps rather than traditional voice calls, emphasizing shifts in communication preferences
Over 60% of internet traffic in 2023 was generated by mobile devices, indicating ongoing growth in mobile communication usage

Consumer Behavior and Usage Patterns Interpretation

As mobile devices continue to dominate, with over 78% of global internet users relying on them—consuming an average of 13 GB monthly and spending nearly five hours daily—it's clear that the industry must prioritize quality, video content, and messaging innovations to keep pace with the evolving digital lifestyle.

Market Growth and Investment Trends

The global demand for satellite communications is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.3% through 2028
The number of data centers worldwide increased by 12% in 2023, totaling over 8,000 facilities
Cloud communication market forecasts indicate a compound annual growth rate of 18.4% through 2027
The penetration rate for wearable communication devices (smartwatches, AR glasses) is expected to reach 35% worldwide by 2025
The average cost per megabit for mobile data decreased by 28% globally from 2020 to 2023, making data more affordable
The number of cross-border data flows increased by 150% between 2015 and 2023, reflecting the global connectivity growth
Approximately 65% of enterprise IT budgets are allocated to communications and collaboration tools in 2023, demonstrating increased reliance on digital communications
The number of active blockchain-based communication platforms increased by 35% in 2023, reflecting innovations in secure messaging

Market Growth and Investment Trends Interpretation

As connectivity skyrockets—from satellite growth to blockchain innovation—the communications industry is not only expanding at a lightning pace but also becoming more integrated, affordable, and security-conscious, signaling a digital landscape where staying connected is more vital—and complex—than ever before.

Market Size and Revenue Indicators

The global telecommunications industry is projected to reach $1.7 trillion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 5.4%
Over 4.9 billion people were using the internet worldwide as of 2023
Mobile subscriptions worldwide reached 8.1 billion in 2023, with a penetration rate of 103%
The number of 5G subscriptions worldwide exceeded 2 billion by mid-2023
Telecommunications companies invested over $1.7 trillion globally in network infrastructure in 2022
The global IoT market size is expected to grow to $1.4 trillion by 2027
89% of businesses worldwide leverage cloud communication services
The number of active social media users worldwide surpassed 4.9 billion in 2023
The global streaming revenue in the media and communications industry reached $224 billion in 2023
Over 3.7 billion people worldwide subscribe to digital television services in 2023
The number of broadband subscriptions worldwide reached 1.2 billion in 2023
The revenue from fixed broadband services worldwide was approximately $290 billion in 2022
Voice-over-IP (VoIP) traffic accounts for more than 50% of global internet telephony
The average revenue per user (ARPU) for telecom services globally was approximately $17 in 2023
The number of global eSIM connections surpassed 650 million in 2023, growing rapidly from previous years
The worldwide digital advertising spend reached over $560 billion in 2023, with major investments in social media and video
The number of email users worldwide is expected to reach 4.6 billion in 2025, up from 4.3 billion in 2023
The telecommunications industry employs approximately 4.5 million people globally as of 2023
The global market for communications services is projected to grow at a CAGR of around 4.9%, reaching $2.5 trillion by 2025
The number of enterprise connected devices is projected to hit 25 billion by 2025
Around 40% of all internet traffic in 2023 was generated by IoT devices
The global market for 5G chipsets is expected to reach $15.7 billion by 2027, rising from $2.2 billion in 2023
The top five telecommunications companies by revenue in 2023 included AT&T, Verizon, China Mobile, Deutsche Telekom, and Nippon Telegraph & Telephone, with combined revenue exceeding $900 billion
The number of mobile apps available in app stores surpassed 5 million in 2023, with social media and communication apps among the most downloaded
The global demand for cybersecurity within communication networks is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10.8% over the next five years, reaching $180 billion by 2028
The global video conferencing market size was valued at $8 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 11.2% through 2028
The average revenue of the top 10 telecom operators worldwide accounted for over $600 billion in 2023, with the U.S. and China leading the market

Market Size and Revenue Indicators Interpretation

As the telecommunications industry races toward a $1.7 trillion future fueled by over 4.9 billion internet users, 8.1 billion mobile subscriptions, and a booming IoT ecosystem, it reveals a digital revolution where connectivity isn’t just a utility but a global heartbeat, demanding not only billions in investments and an army of 4.5 million employees but also an ever-growing shield of cybersecurity to keep the digital show running smoothly.

Technology Adoption and Infrastructure

Data from the World Bank shows that mobile cellular subscriptions per 100 people increased from 75 in 2010 to 106 in 2023
The average speed of mobile internet in OECD countries was 65 Mbps in 2023, considerably higher than the global average
84% of people in urban areas worldwide have access to high-speed broadband, while only 57% in rural areas do
The average speed of fixed broadband in Europe was 136 Mbps in 2023, compared to 65 Mbps in OECD average
The average latency for mobile networks in urban areas was 30 ms in 2023, improving from previous years
Approximately 50% of global internet traffic is encrypted with HTTPS as of 2023, enhancing security in communications
Satellite internet services are expanding to cover 80% of the global population by 2025, up from 50% coverage in 2022
The use of Artificial Intelligence in telecom network management increased by 42% between 2022 and 2023, improving predictive maintenance and customer experience
The adoption rate for 4G LTE networks reached 98% coverage in urban areas globally by 2023, up significantly from previous years

Technology Adoption and Infrastructure Interpretation

As global connectivity accelerates from 75 to 106 mobile subscriptions per 100 people and faster, more secure, and AI-enhanced networks reach nearly everywhere—including 80% satellite coverage and near-universal 4G LTE—it's clear that the communications industry is not just bridging digital divides but turbocharging our interconnected world, albeit with a persistent urban-rural broadband gap that reminds us there's still work to do.