GITNUX MARKETDATA REPORT 2024

Roaming Industry Statistics

Roaming industry statistics provide insights into the number of active roamers, usage patterns, revenue generated, and trends in international mobile roaming services.

Highlights: Roaming Industry Statistics

  • In 2020, a 20% decline in wholesale roaming traffic was observed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • VoLTE roaming traffic surged by 565% in North America in 2020.
  • Mobile data roaming demand is projected to reach over 900 petabytes by 2026.
  • Data roaming usage in Asia increased by 245% in 2019.
  • Data roaming constituted 47% of total global roaming revenues in 2017.
  • In 2020, the EU capped wholesale roaming charges at €0.00 per minute for voice calls and €0.45 per GB for data.
  • Roaming-related revenues decreased by 11% globally in 2020, mainly due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
  • By 2024, it is expected that M2M (Machine to Machine) roaming will constitute up to 6% of all roaming traffic.
  • In the Oceania region, there was a 68% increase in international data roaming traffic in 2019.
  • 4G LTE data roaming traffic doubled from 2018 to 2019.
  • In 2019, Africa saw the highest growth in roaming subscribers at 44%.
  • North America accounted for 42% of worldwide voice roaming traffic in 2020.
  • In 2020, an estimated 5.8 billion customers are still without roaming capability.
  • The global LTE and 5G broadcast market, including roaming, is projected to reach USD 1,064 million by 2026.

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The Latest Roaming Industry Statistics Explained

In 2020, a 20% decline in wholesale roaming traffic was observed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2020, a 20% decline in wholesale roaming traffic indicates that there was a significant decrease in the volume of mobile network usage by travelers due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Wholesale roaming traffic refers to the data, voice calls, and messaging services used by mobile users when they are outside their home network. The observed decline suggests that the travel restrictions, lockdowns, and overall decrease in travel during the pandemic significantly impacted roaming usage. This statistic highlights the broader economic and social effects of the pandemic on the telecommunications industry, as well as the global mobility patterns of individuals.

VoLTE roaming traffic surged by 565% in North America in 2020.

The statistic indicates that Voice over LTE (VoLTE) roaming traffic in North America experienced a significant increase of 565% in 2020 compared to the previous year. This substantial surge suggests a notable rise in the volume of voice calls made using LTE technology while roaming within the North American region. The sharp growth in VoLTE roaming traffic implies an increasing reliance on high-speed data networks for voice communications among users traveling across different networks or countries in North America. This trend reflects the growing adoption and utilization of VoLTE services, likely driven by improved network coverage, enhanced call quality, and the increasing demand for seamless communication experiences while roaming.

Mobile data roaming demand is projected to reach over 900 petabytes by 2026.

The statistic indicating that mobile data roaming demand is projected to reach over 900 petabytes by 2026 is a significant observation in the telecommunications industry. This suggests a growing trend in the utilization of data services while users are traveling outside their home network. The exponential increase in data usage is likely attributed to advancements in mobile technology, higher data consumption behaviors, and the increasing popularity of data-heavy applications and services. It signifies the need for mobile network operators to continuously invest in their infrastructure and capacity to meet the rising demand for data roaming services, ensuring seamless connectivity for users worldwide.

Data roaming usage in Asia increased by 245% in 2019.

The statistic indicates that the use of data roaming services in Asia experienced a significant surge in 2019, with a notable increase of 245% compared to the previous year. This substantial rise suggests a growing trend of individuals using data services on their mobile devices while traveling abroad within the Asian region. The sharp increase could be attributed to factors such as improved infrastructure, affordable data plans, increased travel activities, and the growing dependence on mobile internet connectivity. This statistic highlights the expanding relevance and popularity of data roaming services among consumers in Asia, reflecting a shift towards a more interconnected and tech-savvy society.

Data roaming constituted 47% of total global roaming revenues in 2017.

The statistic ‘Data roaming constituted 47% of total global roaming revenues in 2017’ indicates that nearly half of the revenues generated from global roaming services in 2017 were from data usage while traveling. This suggests a significant shift in consumer behavior towards using mobile data services while abroad, highlighting the increasing importance and popularity of data roaming services among travelers. The substantial share of revenue attributed to data roaming also underscores the growing reliance on mobile connectivity for travelers, prompting mobile operators to focus on providing competitive data roaming packages to meet the evolving needs of consumers in the global market.

In 2020, the EU capped wholesale roaming charges at €0.00 per minute for voice calls and €0.45 per GB for data.

In 2020, the European Union enforced regulations that set maximum wholesale roaming charges for telecommunications services within its member countries. These regulations specified that the wholesale charge for voice calls should not exceed €0.00 per minute, essentially meaning that service providers are not allowed to charge any more than this amount to facilitate voice calls across borders. Similarly, the cap for data roaming charges was set at €0.45 per GB, indicating the maximum price that can be charged for data usage during international travel. These regulations were put in place to protect consumers from excessively high charges for using mobile services while traveling within the EU and to promote a more transparent and competitive market for telecommunications providers operating across different nations in the European Union.

Roaming-related revenues decreased by 11% globally in 2020, mainly due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The statistic indicates that revenues generated from roaming services worldwide experienced an 11% decline in 2020. This decrease can be attributed primarily to the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, which led to travel restrictions, lockdowns, and overall reduced international mobility. With people traveling less and staying indoors more to adhere to social distancing measures, there was a significant decrease in the usage of roaming services by mobile phone users. This decline in revenue underscores the impact that the global health crisis had on various sectors, including the telecommunications industry, as consumer behavior shifted in response to the pandemic.

By 2024, it is expected that M2M (Machine to Machine) roaming will constitute up to 6% of all roaming traffic.

The statistic indicates that by the year 2024, Machine to Machine (M2M) roaming is projected to account for approximately 6% of the total volume of roaming traffic. This suggests a significant growth in M2M communication, where devices or machines interact and exchange data without human intervention. As more connected devices such as sensors, smart meters, and IoT devices are deployed globally, the demand for M2M roaming services is expected to increase, contributing to a sizable share of the overall roaming traffic. This trend highlights the expanding role of interconnected devices in various industries and signifies the growing importance of M2M technology in the wireless communication ecosystem.

In the Oceania region, there was a 68% increase in international data roaming traffic in 2019.

The statistic indicating a 68% increase in international data roaming traffic in the Oceania region in 2019 suggests a significant growth in the usage of mobile data services by international visitors or travellers. This increase could be attributed to various factors such as the growing popularity of smartphones, increasing reliance on data-driven applications, and the expansion of mobile network coverage. The substantial rise in data roaming traffic highlights the region’s attractiveness to international tourists and the importance of seamless connectivity for individuals navigating unfamiliar territories. This statistic indicates a shift towards a more connected global society and underscores the need for mobile service providers to continue improving their data roaming offerings to meet the evolving demands of travellers in the Oceania region.

4G LTE data roaming traffic doubled from 2018 to 2019.

The statistic indicates that the amount of 4G LTE data traffic generated through roaming services experienced a two-fold increase from 2018 to 2019. This significant growth suggests a rising trend in the usage of data roaming services, particularly in the context of 4G LTE technology. The doubling of data traffic may be attributed to increased international travel, greater reliance on mobile devices for connectivity, and improved network coverage and availability of 4G LTE services worldwide. This statistic highlights the increasing importance of data roaming services in facilitating global connectivity and the need for telecom providers to continue enhancing their infrastructure to meet the growing demand for data usage while roaming.

In 2019, Africa saw the highest growth in roaming subscribers at 44%.

The statistic indicates that in the year 2019, the number of roaming subscribers in Africa increased by 44%, which was the highest growth rate among all regions. This suggests that there was a significant rise in the use of mobile roaming services by subscribers traveling within Africa or to other continents. The substantial growth in roaming subscribers could be attributed to various factors such as increasing international travel, improved network coverage and quality of service, competitive pricing strategies by mobile operators, and the rise in demand for data services. This statistic highlights the growing importance and popularity of mobile roaming services in Africa, reflecting the continent’s expanding mobile connectivity and technology adoption.

North America accounted for 42% of worldwide voice roaming traffic in 2020.

The statistic indicates that North America represented 42% of the total global voice roaming traffic in 2020. This suggests that a significant portion of international voice calls made by individuals traveling in North America or subscribers of North American mobile networks were included in this figure. This could be attributed to the large population in North America, as well as the region’s high level of international travel and business activities. It also implies that North American telecommunication companies likely played a key role in facilitating these voice roaming services and connections with other regions around the world.

In 2020, an estimated 5.8 billion customers are still without roaming capability.

The statistic “In 2020, an estimated 5.8 billion customers are still without roaming capability” indicates the significant number of mobile phone users worldwide who do not have access to roaming services, which enable them to use their phones in different countries or regions without needing to change their SIM card. This statistic highlights a substantial portion of the global population that may face limitations in connectivity and communication while traveling or in areas where their primary network provider may not have coverage. The high number of customers without roaming capability suggests a potential gap in access to mobile communication services, which could have implications for individuals’ ability to stay connected and access information across borders.

The global LTE and 5G broadcast market, including roaming, is projected to reach USD 1,064 million by 2026.

The statistical projection states that the global LTE and 5G broadcast market, which encompasses services related to communication technologies such as LTE and 5G, including roaming capabilities, is anticipated to grow to a value of USD 1,064 million by the year 2026. This suggests a significant uptrend in the adoption and utilization of LTE and 5G technologies worldwide, reflecting the increasing demand for faster and more reliable wireless communications. The estimate serves as a valuable indicator for businesses, policymakers, and stakeholders operating in the telecommunications sector to strategize and capitalize on the promising opportunities presented by the expanding market for LTE and 5G broadcast services.

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How we write our statistic reports:

We have not conducted any studies ourselves. Our article provides a summary of all the statistics and studies available at the time of writing. We are solely presenting a summary, not expressing our own opinion. We have collected all statistics within our internal database. In some cases, we use Artificial Intelligence for formulating the statistics. The articles are updated regularly.

See our Editorial Process.

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