Telecom operators are reinventing their business to business (B2B) services to capture new AI revenues, but their efforts will only result in $4 billion in 2025, according to Omdia’s newly launched Telco B2B AI Monetisation Index.
The index is an independent market tool that tracks how telecom operators are capitalising on the emerging global AI economy. Index data informs Omdia’s forecast that telco B2B AI revenues will have 65% CAGR through to 2030.
Organisations and customers are increasingly dependent on AI-enabled decisions and experiences that necessitate high performance, failsafe diital infrastructure. As the owners and operators of this infrastructure, telecom operators are essential stakeholders in the AI ecosystem and are beginning to monetise their unique assets and capabilities at scale.
“Telcos have a natural role to play as local and national AI services providers and strategic partners,” said Brian Washburn, Chief Analyst, Telco B2B Solutions. “It is early days, but the index highlights that monetisation opportunities for telcos in the AI economy already extend well beyond connectivity, particularly as demand for data security and sovereign services continues to grow.”
The index benchmarks four key dimensions:
- Infrastructure: availability of digital assets such as fibre networks, satellites and data centers that support AI workloads
- Portfolio: range of commercial AI services, with a focus on B2B services
- Ecosystem: strength in technology and partnerships across the AI value chain
- Regulation: codification of legal and ethical frameworks for secure AI market interactions
Key findings from Omdia’s wider telco B2B AI research include:
- Telcos are moving beyond connectivity into hosting AI data centers and hardware
- A third of global network traffic will be AI-driven in 2025, representing 10 zettabytes by year end
- Telcos’ current $4 billion in B2B AI revenues come from high-speed connectivity, hosted hardware and platforms, and professional services
- Small and medium-sized enterprises are a common target for telcos’ new AI services
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