The Mobile Economy Europe 2026 (GSMA)

Summary

• In 2025, mobile technologies contributed €1.1 trillion of economic value in the EU.p.4
• Operators in the EU support nearly 600 million mobile connections, including 370 million unique mobile internet users.p.4
• Operators spent almost €20 billion in mobile capex in 2025.p.4
• By 2030, 88% of all mobile connections in the EU are forecast to be on 5G, up from 43% at the end of 2025.p.7

Key insights

1. The productivity effects of mobile reached €820 billion, followed by the direct contribution of the mobile ecosystem at €200 billion.p.4
2. The mobile ecosystem provided direct employment to 1.3 million people in the EU in 2025.p.4
3. EU economic growth was 1.4% in 2025, lagging the global average of 3.1%.p.9
4. Closing the gap would bring Europe's annual mobile capex per connection to around €70.p.5
5. By 2030, 86% of people in the EU will subscribe to mobile internet services.p.7
6. Mobile's economic contribution is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.4% for the period 2025-2030.p.11