Operators expect EBITDA to grow in 2021, but COVID-19’s impact on long-term financial performance is unclear

The telecoms industry proved resilient in terms of its financial performance during 2020. EBITDA margins remained relatively stable for most operators between 2019 and 2020. Most operators expect both revenue and EBITDA to increase in 2021 (year-on-year), albeit some operators anticipate only a marginal rate of growth due to uncertain macroeconomic conditions worldwide.

This article provides an overview of operators’ outlook on their financial performance in 2021, based on the financial reporting from 16 telecoms operators and group operators worldwide. Further financial KPIs data is available in the Analysys Mason DataHub as part of the Global Telecoms Data research programme.