Mobile GDP Contribution Continues to Grow in EU

The GSMA has warned that European regulations must be aligned to enable further infrastructure investments. The association has pointed out that those investments are needed for the mobile industry to maintain steady growth in an already substantial contribution to GDP.

In a statement promoting the release of GSMA Intelligence’s latest regional Mobile Economy report, the association reiterated concerns over network quality, 5G penetration, and a gap in the funding required. GSMA director general Vivek Badrinath noted that the decisions taken during the six-month forthcoming Irish presidency and beyond will ultimately determine how well we bolster the foundational role mobile technologies play in modern society. “Improved mobile capabilities would also help determine how well-equipped Europe’s digital ecosystem is to grow and compete with leading global markets”, he said.

GSMA Intelligence’s research indicates the mobile sector contributed €1.2 trillion to the EU’s GDP in 2025, up from €1 trillion in 2024. It forecast the sum could reach €1.6 trillion in 2030, 8.2% of overall GDP compared with 6.1% in 2025. The industry accounted for 1.3 million direct and 1.1 million indirect jobs at end-2025. But the GSMA reiterated that 5G accounted for 43% of mobile connections at end-2025 and highlighted a potential €270 billion shortfall in future funding needs.

Politicians and lobbyists said they recognise the importance of mobile connectivity to the Republic of Ireland and Europe as a whole. The nation’s Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport Patrick O’Donovan said that creating conditions which allow Europe’s digital ecosystem to truly thrive is a high agenda item during its EU presidency. He highlighted the importance of getting politicians and industry players together to“ensure opportunities are not missed to drive European competitiveness and growth. Nicola Cooke, director of lobby group Ibec’s Telecommunications Industry Ireland, noted that the sector is at an important crossroads due to pending digital networks and cybersecurity legislation, and vowed to step up efforts to advance investment in this vital national infrastructure.