Telecom Towers - Market Share Analysis, Industry Trends & Statistics, Growth Forecasts (2024 - 2029)

The Telecom Towers Market size is estimated at USD 28.48 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 32.75 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 2.84% during the forecast period (2024-2029).

The increasing penetration of high-speed internet services globally and the sharp rise in the number of smartphone and smart device users worldwide are some of the key driving factors expected to affect the growth trajectory of the global telecom tower market in the next years.

Key Highlights

• Telecom towers are crucial in the 5G technology because telecom companies are learning that sharing and/or lending infrastructure is less expensive than starting from scratch, and tower businesses may provide the best bargains. Towercos are regaining importance as 5G networks' advantages necessitate a vast amount of additional infrastructure. This indicates that mobile network operators need to modernize, and investors are eager to identify fresh chances that could result in rapid returns in the 5G stock market.
• Moreover, tower businesses now have more opportunities for growth due to smart cities, and many of them are aiming to provide end-to-end communications infrastructure in the chosen cities. Towercos can provide various options for smart cities, including passive infrastructure, small cells, Wi-Fi, and fiber connectivity. Smart poles, which guarantee improved cellular coverage and enhance aesthetic value, have already begun to be installed by many tower firms. These poles can be leased to network operators and the government to install surveillance and traffic management systems and offer Wi-Fi and smart lighting services.
• The increasing emphasis on improving internet connectivity to rural areas is one of the major factors driving the deployment and improvisation of the telecom infrastructure in these areas, thereby aiding the market's growth.
• Telecom towers require an uninterrupted power supply to ensure 24x7 network availability, fulfilled mainly by electricity, batteries, and diesel generators. The environmental impacts of telecom towers have always been a significant concern. Radiation from mobile towers has been an important issue, and it is recognized as an unseen and subtle pollutant affecting life forms in multiple ways. Moreover, using non-renewable sources to run power systems, such as diesel, significantly pollutes the environment.
• With things returning to normalcy, the construction activities are set to return on track again. Overall, the telecom industry was among the major industries that experienced minimal impact from the COVID-19 pandemic. The primary region behind this was the significant increase in consumption of telecommunication services as more people started working from home and reliance on video conferencing to hold meetings increased. Most of the telecom operators in the region have reported an increase in their revenue due to this.

Telecom Towers Market Trends

Rooftop to Witness Growth

• Mobile network operators (MNOs) will need to make significant infrastructure investments for 5G to expand, and rooftop infrastructure will be essential to these investments. Building facades and rooftops are ideal real estate for MNOs wishing to densify their networks and expand their capacity or coverage. Antennas on the 5G network can deliver 5G signals straight to customers through a more significant line of sight on rooftops in an urban setting. In this approach, 5G reception can be reliably obtained by people and devices on the ground and close to the boundaries of surrounding buildings.
• As mobile network operators upsurge 5G capabilities, rooftops will play a key role. The growth of 5G will require massive infrastructural investment by mobile network operators (MNOs), and rooftop infrastructure is going to play a pivotal role in this investment. For instance, according to Ericsson, the rapid growth of 5G is expected over the coming years, with the number of subscriptions forecast to reach almost 4.7 billion by 2028.
• Moreover, in October 2023, DISH intended to install three antennas on the roof of the 16-story Residence Inn Hotel at 5 Barker Ave. in downtown White Plains. The Westage is behind the hotel at 25 Rockledge Ave. DISH Wireless installed wireless telecommunication antennas on a rooftop near the condo.
• According to American Tower Corp (ATC), large expenditures will be required from key stakeholders for the number of wireless transmission points, including base stations and small cells, to double to serve the 5G market. It was stated that the number of mobile towers in the nation would soon increase from 780,000 wireless transmission points to over a million. Such developments are expected to drive the market studied over the forecast period.

Middle East and Africa to Witness the Growth

• The region's telecom tower growth is primarily driven by the government's Saudi Vision 2030, as well as the development and extension of 5G mobile networks by major mobile network operators and the subsequent rise in mobile subscriptions.
• Saudi Arabia has transformed into a digital center and a provider in transitioning to 5G due to favorable laws, government funding, and initiatives. For instance, STC's Mena HUB, a USD 1 billion investment in regional connectivity and infrastructure, will assist Saudi Arabia's fast-growing digital and cloud industry.
• Seeking to build Digital Egypt and achieve the transition to a digital society, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) has been working to build an infrastructure that is secure, reliable, and accessible.
• The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) developed robust Regulations and Guidelines or subsidiary laws for the telecommunications sector. One such regulation is the Guidelines on Technical Specifications for Installation of Masts and Towers, 2009. Companies installing telecom towers need to follow the regulations and guidelines for conducting smooth business in the country

Telecom Towers Industry Overview

The telecom tower market is semi-consolidated and consists of several major players, such as American Tower Corporation, Helios Towers PLC, Indus Towers Limited (Bharti Infratel), China Tower Corporation, and SBA Communications Corporation. Only some significant players currently dominate the market in terms of market share. These major players in the telecom tower market are expanding their customer base internationally through strategic collaborations and acquisitions of telecom tower startups. This has led to a moderately high market concentration, with a few dominant players benefiting from significant market share and profitability.

• March 2024: Hi-COM Network Private Limited, a leading internet service provider, partnered strategically with Indus Towers Limited to enhance telecommunications infrastructure and advance sustainability initiatives. Indus Towers Limited, formed from the merger of Bharti Infratel Limited and Indus Towers, has provided robust infrastructure for the telecommunications sector. Through this collaboration, Hi-COM will leverage its expertise to assist Indus Towers in constructing new towers and upgrading existing ones to meet the increasing demands of the industry.
• January 2024: American Tower Corporation (ATC) announced a strategic collaboration with IBM to accelerate the deployment of a hybrid, multi-cloud computing platform at the edge. Through this collaboration, American Tower intends to expand its neutral-host, Access Edge Data Center ecosystem to include IBM Hybrid Cloud capabilities and Red Hat OpenShift. The two companies are set to work together to help clients address their evolving customer requirements and expectations around innovative digital transformation by enabling technologies such as IoT, 5G, AI, and network automation.
• December 2023: AT&T Inc. partnered with Ericsson to deploy a commercial-scale open radio access network (Open RAN). This collaboration aims to establish a robust ecosystem of network infrastructure providers and suppliers. The objective is to drive down network costs, enhance operational efficiencies, and facilitate sustained investments in the rapidly expanding broadband network.

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