We have seen significant changes and challenges in the European mobile carrier landscape with implications for both enterprises and consumers. Recent developments highlight the ongoing evolution of the industry and the complexities faced by businesses managing multiple carriers, services, contracts, and invoices. In this article, we unpack emerging forces in enterprise mobility management and how to stay in front of them in 2025.
Market Developments: Consolidation and Network Upgrades
Several major European carriers are making strategic moves to strengthen their market positions and improve network capabilities: Vodafone and Three are progressing with their merger plans in the UK, with the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) suggesting that price freezes and network investment commitments could alleviate regulatory concerns
This consolidation, if approved, would significantly alter the UK mobile market landscape. In Spain, Telefónica and Nokia have signed a three-year agreement to collaborate on private 5G network offerings, aiming to drive the deployment of enterprise-focused networks. This partnership highlights the growing importance of private networks for business customers.
Network Technology Advancements
Carriers across Europe are pushing forward with advanced network technologies: Deutsche Telekom has made 5G mmWave (26 GHz band) available for commercial use in Germany, focusing on industrial customers. This move enables high-capacity, low-latency applications for enterprises. Elisa and Nokia have claimed a European first by trialling 100G PON over a live fibre broadband network. This advancement promises significantly faster broadband speeds for both business and residential customers.
4 Challenges Ahead for Enterprises
With Tangoe’s expertise working in the ever-changing mobility environment, we notice that this evolving carrier landscape presents both opportunities and challenges for enterprises:
- Contract Complexity: With carriers offering a wide range of services, including 5G, private networks, and advanced fibre solutions, enterprises managing multiple carrier contracts face increased complexity in negotiating terms and ensuring consistent service levels across different regions.
- Increased Spend: The introduction of new technologies and services often comes with higher costs. Enterprises are likely to see an increase in telecom and mobile spend as they adopt advanced solutions like private 5G networks or high-capacity fibre connections.
- Integration Challenges: Companies operating across multiple European countries may struggle to integrate services from different carriers, potentially leading to inefficiencies and increased management overhead.
- Regulatory Compliance: As carriers consolidate and expand their offerings, enterprises must navigate varying regulatory landscapes across Europe, ensuring compliance with data protection and telecommunications laws.
Strategic Considerations for Telecom & Mobility Leaders
To address these challenges, enterprises should consider the following strategies:
- Centralised Contract and Invoice Management: Implement a centralized system for managing carrier contracts and costs to improve visibility and negotiation power.
- Technology Roadmap Alignment: Align the enterprise’s technology roadmap with carrier offerings to ensure access to necessary services while optimizing costs.
- Flexible Service Agreements: Negotiate flexible agreements that allow for scalability and technology upgrades without long-term lock-ins.
- Multi-Carrier Strategy: Maintain relationships with multiple carriers to ensure redundancy and leverage competition for better terms.
Emerging Trends in Mobility and How to Respond Thoughtfully
eSIM Adoption
The adoption of eSIM technology is gaining momentum across Europe:
- Major carriers like Orange, Telefónica, and Deutsche Telekom are expanding their eSIM offerings, making it easier for consumers and businesses to switch between carriers or manage multiple lines.
- This trend is particularly beneficial for enterprises with a mobile workforce, as it simplifies device management and reduces logistical challenges associated with physical SIM cards.
Environmental Sustainability Initiatives
European carriers are increasingly focusing on environmental sustainability:
- Vodafone has committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions across its entire value chain by 2040, setting a precedent for the industry.
- Telia Company has launched a “Green Bond Framework” to finance projects that support its environmental objectives, demonstrating the growing link between telecom services and sustainability efforts.
And it’s not just carriers going “green.” Corporate GreenOps initiatives are taking aim at IT carbon footprints. Even data centres in Europe are now facing new energy consumption reporting requirements that could pave the way for broader regulations in enterprise mobility management.
Regulatory Landscape and Its Impact on Mobility
Net Neutrality Debates
The ongoing discussions around net neutrality continue to shape the European telecom market:
- The Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC) is reviewing its net neutrality guidelines, which could impact how carriers manage traffic and offer specialized services.
- Enterprises should monitor these developments, as changes in net neutrality rules could affect service quality and pricing for business-critical applications.
5G Spectrum Allocation
Spectrum allocation remains a critical issue for mobile carriers:
- Several European countries are planning or conducting auctions for 5G spectrum in the mid-band and mmWave frequencies.
- The outcomes of these auctions will influence carriers’ ability to deliver high-speed, low-latency services, particularly in urban areas and for enterprise customers.
Staying Ahead while Solving Enterprise Problems
IoT and M2M Communications
The growth of Internet of Things (IoT) and Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communications presents new opportunities and challenges:
- Carriers are developing specialized IoT platforms and connectivity solutions to support the growing number of connected devices.
- Enterprises deploying IoT solutions must consider factors such as coverage, battery life, and data management when selecting carrier partners.
Security Concerns
With the increasing reliance on mobile and cloud services, security has become a top priority:
- Carriers are enhancing their security offerings, integrating advanced threat detection and zero-trust network access solutions.
- Enterprises must carefully evaluate these security features when selecting carriers, especially for sensitive data transmission and remote work scenarios.
4 Key Strategies for Mobility Cost Optimization
To address the increasing spend on mobile services, enterprises can consider:
- Usage-Based Plans: Negotiate plans that align closely with actual usage and consumption patterns to avoid overpaying for unused data and services.
- Pooled Data Plans: For organizations with varying usage habits across employees, pooled data plans can offer more flexibility and potential cost savings.
- Regular Audits: Conduct regular audits of telecom expenses and mobile devices to identify unused assets and services, duplicate charges, or opportunities for optimization.
- Leveraging Analytics: Utilise telecom expense management software alongside mobile device inventory services and device management services with advanced analytics to gain insights into usage patterns and identify areas for cost reduction.
Enterprise Mobility Management: Future Outlook
As we look ahead at 2025, several factors will continue to shape the European mobile carrier landscape:
- The rollout of 6G technology, with early research already underway, will bring new capabilities but also new challenges for both carriers and enterprises.
- Increased focus on edge computing, SD-WAN, and network slicing will enable more customized and high-performance services for business customers.
- The integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning in network management will lead to self-optimizing, autonomous networks.
There is no denying, the European mobile carrier market is undergoing significant transformation, driven by technological advancements, regulatory changes, and evolving demands in environmental sustainability. For enterprises, navigating this complex landscape requires a strategic approach to technology adoption and carrier selection with a sharper focus on tracking service usage habits, managing mobile devices and contracts, and optimizing costs.
By staying informed about industry trends and proactively addressing challenges, businesses like yours can leverage the latest mobile technologies to drive innovation and maintain a competitive edge in an increasingly connected world.
Ready to talk about your telecom and mobile approach for 2025? Talk to Tangoe.