Operators are prioritising efficiencies within their organisations to reduce their operating costs

Telecoms operators worldwide have faced a period of rapidly rising operating costs due to increasing inflation, which has negatively impacted their margins. Unlike sectors such as utilities, operators have been unable to fully adjust prices to match these rising costs due to highly competitive market dynamics. In response, many operators have implemented measures to increase efficiency and reduce costs in order to grow their profitability.

This article summarises the findings of two case study reports that analyse the cost-saving approaches adopted by eleven selected operators in Europe (multi-country operators) and North America. These reports focus on opex, which accounts for an average of 65% of operators’ revenue. We have analysed opex reduction strategies employed by operators across four categories: organisation, operations, infrastructure and energy cost.