Cyprus included in study predicting European mobile data traffic will triple by 2028

GSMA, a non-profit industry association that represents the interests of mobile network operators worldwide, has included Cyprus in its latest report that suggests mobile data traffic in Europe will almost triple by 2028.

According to a GSMA announcement, its annual GSMA Mobile Economy Report found that the mobile sector contributed €910 billion to the European economy in 2022, It also found that operators continue to face real investment challenges amid growing bandwidth demands.

On the almost tripling of mobile data traffic in Europe by 2028, GSMA suggested the rise was fuelled by increasing 5G adoption, coverage, and capacity, and migration to 4G migration in central and eastern Europe.

Its 2023 Mobile Economy Report represents an analysis of 48 territories, including Cyprus, and indicates that 5G subscribers are interested in adding high-bandwidth services and content to their mobile contracts, fuelled by demand for high-quality gaming, extended reality, and video content.

“In turn, these demands will require continued investment in Europe's mobile networks by operators, who are already expected to spend more than €198 billion on upgrading their networks by 2030,” GSMA’s announcement added.

In further analysis, the report, which evaluates the value of the mobile ecosystem to Europe's economy, shows that:

• The mobile sector added €910 billion of value to the European economy in 2022, with mobile technologies and services generating 4.3% of GDP across Europe.
• The entire ecosystem accounted for 2.2 million jobs, directly or indirectly, in 2022.
• Mobile-based productivity contributed €670 billion to the European economy while operators' own contribution generated €110 billion.
• By 2030 it is expected that the sector's economic contribution will reach €1 trillion, driven mostly by continued expansion of the ecosystem, and vertical segments benefitting from the improvements in productivity and efficiency delivered by the take-up of mobile services.

The GSMA found that the mobile ecosystem contributed €110 billion in taxes in 2022, with employment taxes and social security generating €50 billion, followed by services, VAT, sales taxes and excise duties at €40 billion.

All data points in the GSMA Mobile Economy Report 2023 are drawn from the following 48 territories, including Cyprus: Aland Islands; Albania; Andorra; Austria; Belgium; Bosnia and Herzegovina; Bulgaria; Croatia; Cyprus; Czechia; Denmark; Estonia; Faroe Islands; Finland; France; Germany; Gibraltar; Greece; Guernsey; Hungary; Iceland; Ireland; Isle of Man; Italy; Jersey; Kosovo; Latvia; Liechtenstein; Lithuania; Luxembourg; Malta; Monaco; Montenegro; the Netherlands; North Macedonia; Norway; Poland; Portugal; Romania; San Marino; Serbia; Slovakia; Slovenia; Spain; Svalbard and Jan Mayen; Sweden; Switzerland; United Kingdom.