As connectivity permeates deeper across business and society, telecoms find themselves at the epicenter of technological disruption and promise. The world‘s leading operators continue expanding core communications networks while exploring emerging growth frontiers in 5G, AI, cloud and the metaverse.
This guide offers an in-depth analysis of the planet‘s telecom powerhouses – profiling company strengths, strategic technology bets, financial performance and future outlook. Read on for an insider perspective on the innovation, opportunities and competitive forces shaping telecom.
Global Telecom Outlook
Fueled by trends like remote work and rising data usage, telecom revenue grew over 5% in 2021 to over $2 trillion globally (Figure 1).
Figure 1 – Global telecom market size (Statista 2022)
As networks support more daily life functions, operators make big bets on next-gen infrastructure – with 5G CAPEX topping $890 billion over next decade (Figure 2).
Figure 2 – Global 5G CAPEX 2021-2030 (IHS Markit 2022)
Key tailwinds suggest strong growth ahead:
- 5G scaling advanced connectivity, cloud and edge computing
- Remote services and metaverse driving data traffic
- AI and automation creating intelligent networks
- Expanding internet access and digital inclusion
However, telecoms also face mounting competition from big tech in cloud services while navigating tricky transitions from legacy to next-gen tech.
Industry leaders discussed below aim to leverage core network strengths while exploring fresh terrain – their vision and technology bets shaping the connected future.
Telecom Game Changers
While telecoms often favor robust infrastructure over flair, some visionaries stand out for bold ambition and technology bets:
Hans Vestberg @ Verizon – Pioneering 5G applications across NFL stadiums, factories and hospitals – building networks as innovation platforms.
Børje Ekholm @ Ericsson – Driving Ryan Reynolds-fronted rebrand and R&D breakthroughs in open cloud-native 5G.
Andy Jassy @ Amazon Web Services – Leading aggressive expansion into telecom cloud, attempting to dominate future networks.
Such outliers suggest bolder innovation and branding can disrupt even in a conservative industry if strategy aligns with technology change.
#10: Telefonica
Headquarters: Madrid, Spain
Founded: 1924
2021 Revenue: €39.3B (US$43.8B)
Net Income: €8.1B (US$9.0B)
Customers: 356M+ wireless/broadband subscribers
Expanding beyond its Spanish base, Telefonica dominates Latin American markets today – leading in mobile across key countries (Figure 3).
Figure 3 – Telefonica Latin American Footprint (Telefonica 2022)
Evolving from a legacy voice and SMS provider, Telefonica bets big on network virtualization, cloud infrastructure and 5G:
- Virtualizing 30% of network functions by 2025
- Launched edge cloud alliance for streaming/gaming
- Trialing open RAN platforms with NEC and Rakuten
Pioneering advances like chaotic silicon photonics and digital twin factories, Telefonica pushes IoT, AI and big data to drive growth in enterprise services – now over 40% of revenue.
While pandemic losses saw shares drop 30% in 2020, Telefonica‘s aggressive cost cutting and tech investments supported a 2021 rebound. With strong presence across 14 hyperconnected markets, Telefonica seems poised for the digital future.
#9: Orange
Headquarters: Paris, France
Founded: 1994
2021 Revenue: €42.5B (US$47.3B)
Net Income: €778M (US$864M)
Customers: 263M+ subscribers globally
Europe‘s leading operator Orange maintains extensive African footprint – accounting for over 40% of mobile subscribers (Figure 4).
Figure 4 – Orange Africa Presence (Orange 2022)
Transitioning from legacy switched copper network, Orange bets on next-gen infrastructure:
- Launched 5G SA network across Europe
- Fiber home connections reach 80% in France
- Positioning as trusted B2B partner
Heavy R&D investments focus on AI-defined networks, data intelligence and cybersecurity – filing 500+ patents in 2021. Though 2021 revenue slipped 1.8%, enterprise solutions and Africa growth should support rebound.
#8: China Telecom
Headquarters: Beijing, China
Founded: 2002
2021 Revenue: RMB 283B (US$44.8B)
Net Income: RMB 20.7B (US$3.3B)
Subscribers: 352M+ mobile users
Despite mobile disruption, China Telecom leads globally in landlines (Table 1) – its fiber network covering 370 Chinese cities supports 5G and cloud expansion.
| Global Rank | Operator | Fixed Broadband Subs |
| #1 | China Telecom | 123M |
| #2 | Comcast | 32M |
| #3 | Vodafone | 24M |
Table 1 – Global Fixed Broadband Subscribers (Operators 2022)
Driving network cloudification, China Telecom partners Microsoft Azure for cloud solutions and provides infrastructure for Tencent gaming and Alibaba e-commerce ecosystems.
With strong government backing and 5G leadership (Figure 5), turbulent industry reforms seem a temporary obstacle.
Figure 5 – China Telecom 5G Base Stations (China Telecom 2022)
#7: Softbank Corp.
Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Founded: 1986
2021 Revenue: ¥4.2T (US$36.1B)
Net Income: ¥724B (US$6.2B)
Mobile Subs: 44M
Iconic founder Masayoshi Son drives Softbank‘s shift towards a global tech investment giant – its $100B Vision Fund backing leading unicorns like Coupang, SenseTime and ByteDance. However, telecom remains vital – its mobile arm a Japanese leader:
- 20% Japan subscriber market share
- Industry-top 97% 5G coverage
- Developing 6G and flying cell site drones
Softbank pairs infrastructure expertise with computing leadership via Arm:
- Arm CPU power over 90% of smartphones
- Pushing ambitious "Infinity" 1,000 TOPS supercomputer
- Partnering NVIDIA on data center and self-driving systems
With pillars across cutting-edge connectivity and computing, SoftBank shapes future infrastructure in Japan and beyond.
#6: NTT
Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Founded: 1987
2021 Revenue: ¥11T+ (US$96.8B)
Net Income: ¥962B (US$8.4B)
Total Customers: 70M+ subscribers
Iconic national champion NTT dominates its domestic market (Figure 6) – its associated operators own world-class infrastructure:
- NTT DOCOMO launched 5G covering 92% population
- NTT Broadband – 30M+ fiber optic/Hikari households
- NTT Comms – #1 global commercial data network
Figure 6 – NTT Group Offerings (NTT 2022)
Pushing an ambitious Society 5.0 vision spanning smart cities, ambient tech and biometric interfaces, NTT backs quantum and 6G research via DOCMO 5G Labo.
With unmatched domestic strength and bold innovation bets, NTT develops the intelligent connectivity so crucial for future society and industry.
#5: Deutsche Telekom
Headquarters: Bonn, Germany
Founded: 1995
2021 Revenue: €108B (US$120B)
Net Income: €4.2B (US$4.7B)
Mobile Subs: 250M+ globally
Europe‘s telecom leader Deutsche Telekom maintains extensive infrastructure serving over 250 million mobile subscribers in 50+ countries.
Flagship holdings include:
- 45% stake in US giant T-Mobile with surging 5G growth
While seeking global expansion of B2B services, Deutsche Telekom makes big innovation bets:
- Investing €6B in German fiber optic and 5G through 2024
- Positioning as leading European IoT network
- Launching edge data centers and campus networks
With billions dedicated to network modernization and emerging connectivity tech spanning quantum and 6G, Deutsche Telekom cements strategic influence across vital communications infrastructure in the Western world.
#4: China Mobile
Headquarters: Beijing, China
Founded: 1997
2021 Revenue: RMB768B (US$120B)
Net Income: RMB115B (US$18B)
Total Subscribers: 950M+
Backed by the world‘s largest 5G and fiber network, China Mobile serves almost 1 billion subscribers globally – more than next two telecoms combined.
Owning vast spectrum and infrastructure assets including:
- 1.9M 4G/5G base stations blanket China
- Connects 95% broadband households
- Direct international subsea cable links
China Mobile expands cloud and big data capabilities to drive enterprise services and future growth engines – now 13% of revenue.
With strong state support, unrivaled scale and rapidly modernizing network, China Mobile delivers the connectivity crucial for digital transformation across society.
#3: Verizon Communications
Headquarters: New York, USA
Founded: 1983
2021 Revenue: $133B
Net Income: $22.8B
Total Subscribers: 150M wireless & broadband
Verizon dominates the lucrative US telecom scene (Figure 7) – using its premium 4G and 5G network as innovation launchpads.
Figure 7 – Verizon US Market Share (Verizon 2022)
With billions invested in networks, Verizon pushes new connectivity frontiers:
- Rolled out C-Band 5G to 230M+ Americans
- Testing self-driving solutions over 5G
- Partnered Microsoft on mobile edge computing
Via recent TracFone deal, Verizon expands value offerings while media asset sale helps concentrate on its future as an intelligent connectivity enabler across industries.
#2 AT&T
Headquarters: Dallas, USA
Founded: 1983
2021 Revenue: $168B
Net Income: $6.0B
Total Subscribers: 200M+ users
Iconic global brand AT&T provides mobile and fixed network services to over 250M US subscribers – competing vigorously with Verizon (Figure 8).
Figure 8: AT&T vs Verizon Subscribers (AT&T 2022)
Driving an ambitious network transformation encompassing:
- 5G+ planned to cover 200M Americans by 2023
- 120Tbps undersea fiber network spanning 400K route miles
- Positioning as one of world‘s top software companies by revenue
AT&T further cements its network leadership via high-profile enterprise deals with Google, IBM and Microsoft – underpinning future cloud infrastructure. Though 2021 saw a 12% revenue slip after media divestiture, refocus and 5G investments should drive rebound.
#1 China Telecommunications Corporation
Headquarters: Beijing, China
Founded: 2002
2021 Revenue: RMB 390B (US$62B)
Net Income: RMB 21B (US$3.3B)
Total Subscribers: 600M+ users
China Telecom operates the world‘s largest broadband network spanning 9 million route-miles. While fixed line business declines industry-wide, strategic assets support China Telecom‘s evolution:
- Expanding cloud infrastructure via 21Vianet partnership
- Established global connectivity spanning 5 continents
Exploring emerging opportunities from 5G productivity to smart city development, China Telecom partners ZTE and Huawei across next-gen infrastructure critical for future homes, factories and services.
With strong state backing, network leadership across world‘s largest digital economy and rapid 5G cloudification, China Telecom seems poised to enable the next stages of technological development powering China‘s growth miracle.
Telecom Game Changers Looking Ahead
While telecom outlook seems strong, relentless disruption will pressure giants to keep innovating:
- New network generations (6G) and architectures (cloud, open RAN)
- Expanding webscale and hyperscaler competition
- Buoyant growth across developing countries
- Pressure for sustainable development and social responsibility
As digitalization intensifies across business and society, seamless intelligent connectivity will grow ever more crucial – playing directly to telecom operators‘ core strength. Leaders analyzed here combine operational expertise, technology vision and global scale that should cement influence over this vital arena for decades to come.
