Telecom

17 March 2025

The Next Frontier for Telco Revenue Streams: Monetizing 5G and Beyond

For telecom operators, competing on price and data alone is no longer sustainable. The rollout of 5G presents not just an opportunity but a necessity to redefine revenue streams and reclaim value beyond pure connectivity.

With ultra-low latency, unprecedented speeds, and the ability to support vast device ecosystems, 5G enables a suite of high-margin services—from content and OTT partnerships to travel solutions and eSIM innovations. The challenge for telcos is clear: move beyond commoditization and leverage 5G’s full potential to craft differentiated, next-generation consumer offerings.

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The Power of Bundling: A Proven Strategy for Telcos

Telcos have long used bundling to acquire customers (boosting revenue) and increase loyalty (lowering churn). With the expansion of 5G mobile, broadband fiber, and increasing consumer “cord-cutting,” telcos can now partner with OTT platforms, content providers, and cloud service companies to create compelling bundling options.

Key 5G Monetization Opportunities

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1. Enhanced Connectivity: Expanding Network Reach

Fixed Wireless Access (FWA): High-speed broadband for underserved areas.

Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Connectivity: Affordable, satellite-powered internet.

Example: Starlink, a leader in LEO-based broadband, is expanding global coverage, particularly in underserved regions. By partnering with Starlink, telcos can offer Fixed Mobile Convergence (FMC) plans in areas without fiber infrastructure.

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2. Value-Added Services (VAS): Unlocking New Digital Experiences

Mobile Gaming: Cloud gaming with lag-free experiences.

OTT Video/IPTV: 4K streaming and interactive live events.

Metaverse & Immersive Tech: Social and entertainment applications powered by 5G.

Example: Deutsche Telekom’s "5G+ Gaming" in Germany offers over 100 top-tier cloud games for free for six months via the "Sora Stream" platform.

Example: Telenor partnered with Netflix to deliver seamless streaming, bundling mobile and TV services for an enhanced customer experience.

Telcos looking to expand their digital bundling strategies can explore the aggregator model for content bundling.

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3. Consumer IoT and Smart Living: The Rise of Smart Homes

Smart Home: Connected automation and energy efficiency solutions.

Wearables: Health-tracking and fitness-enhancing technology.

Public Services: Real-time updates on transport and utilities.

Example: SK Telecom’s Smart Home solution, built on an open IoT platform, enables customers to integrate devices like dehumidifiers, gas valves, and smart locks into their daily routines for efficiency and convenience.

Example: Etisalat by e& launched a rewards-based wellness app, incentivizing health-conscious behaviors with cashback offers on fitness wearables.

The impact of AI in telecoms is revolutionizing how telcos create smart solutions for connected living.

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4. Digital Health: Transforming Healthcare with 5G

Telemedicine: Real-time consultations powered by ultra-fast connectivity.

Smart Healthcare: Remote patient monitoring and AI-powered diagnostics.

Example: Verizon and Visionable are pioneering hybrid digital healthcare solutions, optimizing patient care and reducing costs for hospitals.

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5. Next-Gen Financial Services: Expanding Beyond Connectivity

Mobile Payments & Personal Finance: Secure and seamless digital transactions.

IoT-Based Insurance: Dynamic, data-driven premium adjustments.

Example: Safaricom’s M-Pesa, initially launched in Kenya, has transformed mobile payments across Africa and the Middle East, while Orange Money provides similar services throughout the region.

Example: Telefónica’s Movistar Money in Spain allows customers to obtain loans of up to €3,000 within 48 hours without documentation.

Monetizing telecom services effectively means maximizing ARPU while minimizing trade-offs.

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6. Immersive Education & Entertainment: Enabling Interactive Learning

e-Learning: AR/VR-powered virtual classrooms.

e-Books & Mobile Ticketing: Creating rich, interactive experiences.

Example: EE’s 5G-powered extended reality (XR) solutions enable immersive educational and entertainment experiences, laying the foundation for metaverse-based learning.

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7. Other High-Growth Applications

Connected Vehicles: Enabling autonomous and semi-autonomous driving.

Identity Services: Secure, real-time authentication.

Mobile Advertising: Hyper-personalized campaigns leveraging 5G analytics.

Example: triPica’s cloud-based BSS, designed for 5G telcos, has powered digital launches such as celcomdigi’s Yoodo in Malaysia and Bouygues Telecom’s eco-friendly offerings.

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The Business Case for Telcos: Driving ARPU Growth

With 5G, telcos have an opportunity to boost ARPU through premium services, subscription-based models, and strategic bundling partnerships. Expanding into high-margin industries—such as gaming, financial services, and IoT—creates a roadmap for long-term sustainability.

However, challenges persist:

Legacy Infrastructure: Older systems can hinder innovation.

Competitive Pressures: The industry is becoming increasingly crowded.

Lack of Customer Insights: Personalization remains a challenge for many operators.

Despite these hurdles, telcos that innovate and bundle services effectively will unlock new revenue streams and secure their place in the digital ecosystem.

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Unlock the Full Potential of 5G with triPica

Telcos can no longer compete on price and data alone. To capitalize on 5G, they must explore innovative bundling strategies, value-added services, and dynamic pricing models.

Legacy BSS platforms cannot support these evolving needs. The future requires a flexible, cloud-based BSS that enables telcos to forge partnerships and create high-value ecosystems. triPica’s 5G-ready BSS is designed to support these next-generation opportunities.

Reach out to triPica today to explore 5G monetization strategies tailored to your business.

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FAQ

How fast can telcos launch 5G offers using digital infrastructure?

With modern digital BSS, telcos can reduce time-to-market from over a year to just a few months. This is achieved through modular components, low-code configuration, API-driven integration, and reusable digital journeys for both consumer and enterprise products.

What role does digital BSS play in monetizing 5G?

Digital BSS platforms enable telcos to launch, price, and manage complex 5G services in real time. They support agile monetization strategies like SLA-based billing, product catalog flexibility, and multi-segment orchestration. Cloud-native BSS also allows for faster time-to-market and easier scaling of new offers.

What are examples of 5G use cases that generate new revenue?

Revenue-generating 5G use cases include private 5G networks for smart factories, autonomous vehicle infrastructure, immersive AR/VR services, and real-time remote monitoring for critical sectors. Each of these depends on network guarantees and performance tiers that telcos can monetize directly.

Why is monetizing 5G different from previous network generations?

Unlike earlier generations focused on consumer connectivity, 5G introduces real-time responsiveness, dynamic SLAs, and massive IoT scalability. This allows telcos to shift from volume-based pricing to value-based monetization through differentiated service levels, usage-based pricing, and industry partnerships.

How can telcos unlock new revenue streams with 5G?

5G enables new business models beyond mobile data by offering ultra-low latency, high device density, and network slicing. Telcos can monetize these capabilities through private networks, edge computing, API exposure, and industry-specific solutions in sectors like healthcare, manufacturing, and logistics.