Operator Spending

Overview

This programme provides in-depth technoeconomic analysis of the spending patterns (capex and opex) that are emerging in the telecoms industry. It helps senior decision makers within operators, as well as their suppliers, partners and investors, to understand the main trends, based on detailed forecasting and analysis of capex and opex associated with telecoms networks and operations, and on an understanding of the new models of ownership and investment brought about by delayering.

Topics for 2026

• Personnel
• Operator type spending profiles
• Future consolidation

Typical client enquiries

• Can you provide a high-level split for global operator opex focusing on [vendor client’s] products and services?
• Can you provide a 1-hour discussion with slides for executives focusing on forecast decline in hardware capex?
• How much do operators spend (capex and opex) on R&D as a proportion of their revenue?
• Can you provide itemised opex benchmarks for emerging market fixed operators?
• Do you have 7-year return on capital employed (ROCE) data for the largest operators in China and the USA?