Petroc Taylor
Research expert covering global developments in the use of data
Get in touch with us nowMobile ARPU development in Europe 2011-2025
The average revenue per user (ARPU) of mobile customers in Europe has fallen since 2011, reaching an estimated 14.7 euros per month in 2021. The figure is forecast to remain at this level through to 2025.
Shrinking costs yet rising use of mobile broadband
The decline of mobile broadband ARPU can partially be attributed to high competition and increased usage of data over voice. The cost of data associated with messaging apps like Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp, whose popularity has been on the rise, is relatively low compared to the cost of voice calls – resulting in a decline of total ARPU.
Despite this decrease in mobile ARPU, data makes up an increasingly important part of the mobile communication landscape. Mobile data traffic has skyrocketed in countries like the UK, and the gap between mobile and fixed call minutes has been increasing since 2011.
5G on the horizon
The rise of 5G mobile networks in addition to 3G and 4G will only enhance the use of mobile broadband. Offering even minimum data speeds over 20 Mbps faster than 4G, as well as a much greater maximum bandwidth, 5G is set to revolutionize mobile data not just for consumers, but also for a range of commercial and industrial applications. By 2027, it is expected that the number of 5G connections will grow to nearly 664 million in Europe alone.
Shrinking costs yet rising use of mobile broadband
The decline of mobile broadband ARPU can partially be attributed to high competition and increased usage of data over voice. The cost of data associated with messaging apps like Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp, whose popularity has been on the rise, is relatively low compared to the cost of voice calls – resulting in a decline of total ARPU.
Despite this decrease in mobile ARPU, data makes up an increasingly important part of the mobile communication landscape. Mobile data traffic has skyrocketed in countries like the UK, and the gap between mobile and fixed call minutes has been increasing since 2011.
5G on the horizon
The rise of 5G mobile networks in addition to 3G and 4G will only enhance the use of mobile broadband. Offering even minimum data speeds over 20 Mbps faster than 4G, as well as a much greater maximum bandwidth, 5G is set to revolutionize mobile data not just for consumers, but also for a range of commercial and industrial applications. By 2027, it is expected that the number of 5G connections will grow to nearly 664 million in Europe alone.
