A new GSMA report highlights the substantial economic impact of the mobile industry in North America, estimating its contribution at nearly $1.6 trillion in 2024. That amount equates to roughly five percent of the region’s GDP and underscores mobile technology’s central role in driving innovation, productivity, and growth across sectors.
Nearly 320 million people in North America are now connected to the mobile internet, and around 60 percent of those users are on 5G networks. The mobile ecosystem’s direct contribution totaled about $420 billion in 2024, while the industry directly and indirectly supported approximately 2.6 million jobs.
Looking ahead, the GSMA projects the mobile industry’s economic impact to more than double by 2030, reaching roughly $3.7 trillion—over ten percent of regional GDP. This forecast is driven by ongoing advances in 5G, expansion of the Internet of Things (IoT), and rapid adoption of artificial intelligence, all of which are improving efficiency and unlocking new business models across the economy.
Monetising operators’ huge mobile network investments
North American mobile operators invested more than $300 billion in networks between 2019 and 2024 and are now focused on monetising those investments, particularly in 5G infrastructure. The fastest commercial success to date has been 5G fixed wireless access (FWA), which has emerged as a significant revenue source. At the end of 2024, the United States led the global market with 11.6 million 5G FWA connections, a number expected to grow to more than 25 million by 2030 and reach nearly 20 percent of American households.
Establishing a sustained price premium in the consumer mobile market remains challenging, so operators are innovating with differentiated offerings. Tactics include speed-based pricing tiers and bundles that combine connectivity with value-added services such as digital security, cloud storage, and entertainment, designed to meet evolving consumer preferences.
For enterprise customers, the rollout of 5G standalone (SA) networks opens additional revenue streams. SA enables advanced features like network slicing, which can provide optimised, dedicated connectivity for specific use cases—supporting emergency services, enhancing high-quality video collaboration, and improving connectivity at large venues like stadiums.
Pioneering the future of mobile connectivity in North America
North America remains a center of innovation in network design and satellite communications. The region is leading development of direct-to-device (D2D) satellite services, which extend mobile reach into remote and underserved areas. Recent commercial launches by major carriers, working with satellite providers, have introduced services ranging from emergency messaging to basic text messaging over satellite links.
Meanwhile, the region is actively shaping radio access network (RAN) evolution, particularly through Open RAN initiatives that promote more flexible, virtualised, and interoperable network components. One notable industry move includes a significant commitment by a major operator to shift a large portion of its traffic onto Open RAN—an approach intended to enable more diverse vendor ecosystems and accelerate automation and AI-driven optimisation through tools like the RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC).
Confronting a rising tide of cyber threats
As mobile networks grow in scale and importance, they increasingly attract sophisticated cyber threats. Recent cyber-espionage campaigns have successfully targeted telecommunications operators and other critical infrastructure, demonstrating the need for heightened protection across the sector.
Operators are responding by adopting multi-layered security strategies that include zero-trust architectures, enhanced employee training, and comprehensive risk management practices. Industry collaboration is central to these efforts: carriers take part in threat intelligence-sharing organisations and initiatives designed to strengthen collective defenses. New network APIs, developed under industry-led frameworks, are also being used to deter fraud such as unauthorised SIM swaps and other forms of account compromise.
Shaping a sustainable mobile industry
Beyond economic and technological advances, North American operators are addressing environmental and social priorities. The industry has significantly reduced operational emissions per connection—halving that metric between 2019 and 2023—driven in part by investments in renewable energy and energy-efficient network technologies.
Circular economy practices are also advancing. Smartphone trade-in and refurbishment programmes are especially prevalent in the United States, where trade-in participation is much higher than in many other developed markets. These programmes extend device lifecycles, reduce electronic waste, and create new commercial opportunities.
To improve digital inclusion, operators run programmes that expand access to devices, connectivity, and skills. Examples include community learning centers, initiatives that provide free or subsidised internet access to students and low-income households, and workshops aimed at teaching safe and effective online habits. These efforts help lower barriers to mobile internet adoption and support broader social and economic participation.
Supporting mobile innovation and economic growth in North America
Sustaining the mobile sector’s positive trajectory depends on forward-looking policy that encourages investment and innovation. Effective spectrum management will be essential to meet future demands, including mid-band allocations needed for emerging use cases such as augmented reality and advanced immersive communications.
Regulatory simplification is another important enabler. Efforts to remove outdated or duplicative rules can help accelerate infrastructure deployment, reduce costs, and foster a more competitive environment for new services. With a policy framework that balances security and competition while enabling deployment, North America’s mobile industry is well-positioned to continue driving societal and economic transformation in the years ahead.
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