Europe’s €1 trillion mobile telecommunications industry is at a crossroads ahead of Ireland’s EU presidency, according to a new report.
The analysis is from the GSMA, the global body representing mobile network operators.
The association has launched its Mobile Economy Europe 2026 report in Dublin ahead of what it described as the crucial Irish term in the presidency of the European Council.
According to the study, key regulatory decisions in 2026 will shape Europe’s growth and competitiveness for years to come.
Among the regulatory proposals in the coming months are the Digital Networks Act and the Review of the Merger Guidelines.
“Policy decisions made over the six months of the Irish EU presidency and into 2027 will ultimately determine how well we bolster the foundational role mobile technologies play in modern society and how well-equipped Europe’s digital ecosystem is to grow and compete with leading global markets,” said Vivek Badrinath, Director General of the GSMA.
The analysis found that the impact of the mobile industry on the EU’s economy increased by 14% in 2025 to reach €1.15 trillion.
Europe’s mobile sector now directly accounts for 6.1% of the bloc’s GDP – up from 5.5% in 2024, according to the report.
The sector’s overall economic contribution to EU GDP is now forecast to surpass €1.6 trillion by 2030.
“As Ireland assumes the EU presidency, fostering conditions that allow Europe’s digital ecosystem to truly thrive is a high agenda item over the next six months,” said Patrick O’Donovan, Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport.
“We must work with industry and policymakers to ensure opportunities are not missed to drive European competitiveness and growth,” Mr O’Donovan said.
According to the report, the mobile sector supported 2.4 million jobs across the EU at the end of 2025.
Around 24,000 people are employed by the sector in Ireland.
Nicola Cooke, Director of Ibec’s Telecommunications Industry Ireland (TII) association, said that digital connectivity is the backbone of Ireland’s economy and wider society.
“One million people can now work from home here due to major private and public investment in our mobile and broadband infrastructure,” Ms Cooke said.
“There has been a 460% increase in data traffic on the Irish networks over the last eight years, with €5bn invested by TII members during the same period,” she added.
