Europe's €1tn mobile telecom industry 'at a crossroads'

Europe's mobile telecommunications industry, a sector worth €1 trillion, stands at a crossroads as Ireland prepares to assume the EU presidency, a new report from the GSMA reveals. The global association representing mobile network operators released its "Mobile Economy Europe 2026" report in Dublin, emphasizing that crucial regulatory decisions in the coming months will shape the continent's digital future.

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Policy decisions made over the six months of the Irish EU presidency and into 2027 will ultimately determine how well we bolster the foundational role mobile technologies play in modern society and how well-equipped Europe’s digital ecosystem is to grow and compete with leading global markets.

According to the GSMA analysis, policy choices made during Ireland's six-month presidency and into 2027 will determine the strength of mobile technologies in society and Europe's capacity to compete globally. Key proposals on the table include the Digital Networks Act and a review of the Merger Guidelines. "Policy decisions made over the six months of the Irish EU presidency and into 2027 will ultimately determine how well we bolster the foundational role mobile technologies play in modern society and how well-equipped Europe’s digital ecosystem is to grow and compete with leading global markets," stated Vivek Badrinath, Director General of the GSMA.

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As Ireland assumes the EU presidency, fostering conditions that allow Europe’s digital ecosystem to truly thrive is a high agenda item over the next six months.

The report highlights the growing economic significance of the mobile sector, which saw its contribution to the EU's GDP increase by 14% in 2025, reaching €1.15 trillion. This represents 6.1% of the bloc's GDP, up from 5.5% in 2024. The sector's overall economic contribution is projected to exceed €1.6 trillion by 2030. Furthermore, the mobile industry supported 2.4 million jobs across the EU by the end of 2025.

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We must work with industry and policymakers to ensure opportunities are not missed to drive European competitiveness and growth.

Ireland's Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan, stressed the importance of fostering a thriving digital ecosystem during the Irish presidency. "As Ireland assumes the EU presidency, fostering conditions that allow Europe’s digital ecosystem to truly thrive is a high agenda item over the next six months," he said. Nicola Cooke, Director of Ibec’s Telecommunications Industry Ireland, added that digital connectivity is fundamental to Ireland's economy, enabling remote work for a million people due to investments in mobile and broadband infrastructure. Data traffic on Irish networks has surged by 460% in eight years, with significant private and public investment in the sector.

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One million people can now work from home here due to major private and public investment in our mobile and broadband infrastructure.