Omdia has launched its inaugural Telco B2B AI Monetization Index, revealing that telecom operators are projected to generate $4 billion in business-to-business (B2B) AI revenues in 2025. As telcos pivot to capitalize on the global AI economy, the index serves as a critical tool to track their progress in leveraging AI infrastructure and services, positioning them as key players in this rapidly evolving market.
Omdia’s Telco B2B AI Monetization Index launched to track AI revenue.
Telcos expected to earn $4 billion in B2B AI services in 2025.
AI-driven network traffic to reach 10 zettabytes by end of 2025.
Telcos expand beyond connectivity to AI data centers and hardware.
SMEs are key targets for telcos’ new AI service offerings.
Index forecasts 65% CAGR for telco B2B AI revenues through 2030.
Telecom operators are uniquely positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for AI-driven solutions due to their ownership of critical digital infrastructure, including fiber networks, satellites, and data centers. The Omdia Telco B2B AI Monetization Index highlights that telcos are moving beyond traditional connectivity to offer AI-specific services such as hosted hardware and professional services. “Telcos have a natural role to play as local and national AI services providers and strategic partners,” said Brian Washburn, Chief Analyst, Telco B2B Solutions.
The index evaluates telcos across four dimensions: infrastructure, portfolio, ecosystem, and regulation. It underscores their expansion into AI data centers and hardware hosting, driven by increasing demand for secure and sovereign AI services. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are a primary focus for these new offerings, as telcos tailor solutions to meet the needs of this growing market segment. This strategic shift enables telcos to diversify revenue streams and strengthen their position in the AI value chain.
Omdia’s research projects that a third of global network traffic will be AI-driven in 2025, amounting to 10 zettabytes by year-end. This surge underscores the critical role of telcos’ high-performance infrastructure in supporting AI workloads. The index also forecasts a robust 65% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for telco B2B AI revenues through 2030, reflecting the increasing reliance on telcos for AI-enabled services and infrastructure.
Telcos are strengthening their ecosystems through partnerships across the AI value chain, enhancing their ability to deliver comprehensive AI solutions. Additionally, the index emphasizes the importance of regulatory frameworks that ensure secure and ethical AI market interactions. These efforts position telcos as trusted partners in delivering AI services that meet stringent data security and compliance requirements.
Omdia’s Telco B2B AI Monetization Index provides a quarterly benchmark for tracking telcos’ progress in the AI economy. By leveraging their infrastructure and expanding service portfolios, telecom operators are poised to play a pivotal role in meeting the growing demand for AI-driven solutions, particularly among SMEs, while driving significant revenue growth through 2030.
Omdia, part of Informa TechTarget, Inc. (Nasdaq: TTGT), is a technology research and advisory group. Our deep knowledge of tech markets grounded in real conversations with industry leaders and hundreds of thousands of data points, make our market intelligence our clients’ strategic advantage. From R&D to ROI, we identify the greatest opportunities and move the industry forward.
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