The future of the service provider: how to respond to low-cost challengers
27 May 2025 |
Strategy report | PDF (22 pages) | Fixed Services| Mobile Services| Operator Spending| Enterprise Services| Fixed–Mobile Convergence
The long-term network strategy for most operators in high-income countries is largely decided, with a mix of fibre for fixed networks and 4G/5G for mobile. This common network strategy means that service providers rarely compete on their network coverage or quality (because most networks offer similar performance). Far more emphasis is on the different types of offering, and it is unclear which will be most successful in the long term.
One significant catalyst to this change in emphasis is the rise of low-cost players, most obviously Iliad and Digi, as well as many local fibre players.
This report explores the model of players such as Iliad and Digi and analyses four possible ways in which other operators can respond to them.
Questions answered in this report
- What are the possible future differentiators for consumer services providers?
- How can premium operators continue to justify higher prices than their low-cost competitors?
- What does the future of the service provider look like?
- Does the future belong to Digi?
USD5499
Log in to check if this content is included in your content subscription.
Author

Tom Rebbeck
Partner, expert in TMT consumer and business servicesRelated items
Article
Selected MNOs are showing their peers how to use eSIM services to compete with digital-only rivals
Survey report
Saudi Arabia: consumer survey
Tracker
SD-WAN and SASE vendor tracker 1H 2025