Australia’s Mobile Revenue to Grow, Driven by 5G Expansion

This growth will be driven by an increase in revenue from mobile data services, according to GlobalData. GlobalData’s research shows that the growth in revenue from mobile data services will offset the decline in revenue from mobile voice services during the forecast period.

While revenue from mobile voice services is expected to decrease by 2.7% annually from 2024 to 2029 due to consumers shifting towards over-the-top (OTT) communication platforms, revenue from mobile data services is projected to increase by 4.5% annually.

This growth will be fueled by the rising number of mobile internet subscriptions, the increasing adoption of 5G services, and a rise in the average revenue per user (ARPU) for mobile data. Neha Mishra, a Telecom Analyst at GlobalData, noted that the average monthly mobile data usage in Australia is predicted to rise from 14.1 GB in 2024 to 25.8 GB in 2029. This increase is being driven by the growing consumption of online video and social media content on smartphones as a result of data-focused 4G/5G plans from telcos.

GlobalData anticipates a growth in 5G service adoption over the forecast period, as consumers seek high-speed connectivity and major telecom operators expand their 5G networks across the country. For example, Telstra aims to extend 5G coverage to 95% of the population by the end of 2025.

By 2029, 5G subscriptions are expected to make up 86% of all mobile subscriptions. Mishra concluded that Telstra was the leader in the mobile services market in Australia in terms of subscriptions in 2024, followed by Optus. Telstra is expected to maintain its top position through 2029, supported by its focus on expanding and modernizing its 5G network.