{"id":17701,"date":"2020-11-11T12:54:51","date_gmt":"2020-11-11T12:54:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/newsroom\/?p=17701"},"modified":"2026-01-19T16:00:58","modified_gmt":"2026-01-19T16:00:58","slug":"mobile-operators-set-to-invest-25bn-in-infrastructure-across-the-commonwealth-of-independent-states-cis-region","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/newsroom\/all-documents\/mobile-operators-set-to-invest-25bn-in-infrastructure-across-the-commonwealth-of-independent-states-cis-region\/","title":{"rendered":"Mobile Operators Set to Invest $25bn in Infrastructure Across the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Region"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><em>Mobile technologies and services contributed $137b to region\u2019s GDP in 2019<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>11 November 2020, London<\/strong>: The latest GSMA Intelligence report, \u2018Mobile Economy Russia &amp; CIS 2020\u2019, forecasts that there will be 52 million 5G connections across the region by 2025, representing a 13% adoption rate. \u00a0Underlying this growth is operator investments, expected to be more than $25b in new infrastructure rollouts, of which 57% will be for high-performance 5G networks.<\/p>\n<p>Other highlights from the \u2018Mobile Economy Russia &amp; CIS 2020\u2019 report include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>4G became the region\u2019s leading mobile technology in 2020 and will account for 65% of total connections by 2025<\/li>\n<li>Smartphone adoption is set to reach 81% by 2025 due to the availability and popularity of lower cost handsets<\/li>\n<li>The mobile ecosystem employed over 830,000 people in the region in 2019 and contributed $14b to public sector funding<\/li>\n<li>The CIS region will add almost 330 million new IoT connections by 2025, with smart home and smart buildings two key growth areas<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The research has been published to coincide with GSMA Thrive Eurasia, a virtual event on 11-12 November, that will explore the major themes shaping the region\u2019s mobile industry. Topics to be discussed include the move towards high-speed digital services and the need for networks capable of supporting AI and IoT-driven solutions. MTS Group is the lead sponsor of the conference, which will also explore the challenges affecting the region\u2019s fintech sector, how spectrum allocation will shape the outlook for 5G, value creation and, the opportunities created by increased urbanisation.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAs mobile operators continue to enhance connectivity \u2013 through expansion of 4G and laying the foundation for 5G \u2013 the CIS region is reaping concrete benefits in economic growth and social development through improved commerce, communication and service delivery,\u201d <strong>said<\/strong> <strong>John Giusti, Chief Regulatory Officer, GSMA<\/strong>. \u201cThe Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted, like never before, the importance of access to fast and reliable connectivity in driving a resilient and inclusive digital economy, underpinned by a wide range of digital services for individuals and businesses across the region.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>A primary constraint on the CIS region\u2019s ability to reap the full benefits of 5G is the availability of spectrum. Currently, certain frequencies earmarked for 5G remain out of reach of operators, putting at risk the region\u2019s digital vision and the potential of IoT. The GSMA believes that policymakers should play a leading role in making 5G a reality, which includes the development of a comprehensive roadmap for the release and renewal of spectrum. Ensuring the effective management of valuable spectrum resources will be crucial to providing certainty, encouraging investment and, maximising the opportunities that next-generation mobile connectivity can bring to the region.<\/p>\n<p>To download the \u2018Mobile Economy Russia &amp; CIS 2020\u2019 report, click <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/solutions-and-impact\/connectivity-for-good\/mobile-economy\/russia-cis\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><u>here<\/u><\/a>:<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">&#8211; ENDS &#8211;<\/p>\n<p><strong>About GSMA Intelligence<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>GSMA Intelligence is the definitive source of global mobile operator data, analysis and forecasts. Its data includes industry metrics updated daily comprising 30 million data points from operator groups, networks and MVNOs (mobile virtual network operators) worldwide. A team of 40 analysts and experts at GSMA Intelligence publish more than 130 authoritative industry reports. Research topics include 5G, IoT, media convergence and mobile trends. For more information, please visit\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.gsmaintelligence.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">www.gsmaintelligence.com<\/a> and follow\u00a0GSMA Intelligence on Twitter:\u00a0@GSMAi<\/p>\n<p><strong>About GSMA<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The GSMA represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide, uniting more than 750 operators with almost 400 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset and device makers, software companies, equipment providers and internet companies, and organisations in adjacent industry sectors. The GSMA also produces the industry-leading MWC events held annually in Barcelona, Africa,\u00a0Los Angeles\u00a0and\u00a0Shanghai, as well as the Thrive Series\u00a0of regional conferences.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Mobile technologies and services contributed $137b to region\u2019s GDP in 2019 11 November 2020, London: The latest GSMA Intelligence report, \u2018Mobile Economy Russia &amp; CIS 2020\u2019, forecasts that there will be 52 million 5G connections across the region by 2025, representing a 13% adoption rate. \u00a0Underlying this growth is operator investments, expected to be more [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":17726,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false}}},"categories":[7,3],"tags":[],"algolia_discover_state":[6602],"algolia_discover_topic":[],"algolia_discover_region":[],"algolia_discover_type":[6627],"algolia_discover_series":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v22.0 (Yoast SEO v22.6) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Mobile Operators Set to Invest $25bn in Infrastructure Across the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Region - Newsroom<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, 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