Global Telecom Revenue Will Have Grown 1% in 2021

Global spending on telecommunications and TV services is forecast to reach $1.5 trillion in 2021, representing an increase of one percent  over 2020, according to IDC. That is generally in line with most other forecasts, which call for growth of perhaps one percent to 1.5 percent annually on a global basis. 

Some forecasts call for higher growth, though, in a three percent to five percent range. Some forecasts call for lower growth. Often, revenue sources matter, both to total revenue forecasts and growth rates. It matters whether subscription TV services are included, for example.  

source: IDC 

The fastest expansion is still expected in the Asia/Pacific region, with growth of 1.6 percent. 

Global Regional Services Revenue and Year-on-Year Growth (revenues in $B)
Global Region	2020 Revenue	2021 Revenue	2021/2020 Growth
Americas	$581	$584	+0.5%
Asia/Pacific	$482	$490	+1.6%
EMEA	$467	$471	+0.9%
Grand Total	$1,530	$1,545	+1.0%
source: IDC