Telecom Tower Market Report by Trends, Drivers, and Challenges - 2025

The global telecom tower market was valued at approximately US$ 40.04 billion in 2017 and is projected to experience a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18.0% from 2018 to 2025, ultimately reaching around US$ 146.53 billion by 2025. This remarkable growth over the past five years has been primarily fueled by a substantial increase in the number of cellular network subscribers, which has created a pressing need for enhanced and optimized network infrastructures through the deployment of telecom towers.

This research study delves into the dynamics of the global telecom towers market. A significant portion of telecom tower installations has been categorized as either lattice towers or monopole towers. These types of towers are favored by operators as they provide extensive coverage, thereby catering to a larger audience. Initially, the market saw a prevalence of Greenfield towers; however, due to space limitations and escalating land prices, rooftop towers have gained popularity among telecom tower operators and mobile network providers. The initial setup of telecom towers, which are essential components for the rollout of advanced technologies, incurs substantial costs. Consequently, market players are exploring various strategies to achieve cost-effective telecom tower deployments.

The global telecom tower market is expected to witness robust growth in the near future. The increasing number of mobile subscribers, along with government initiatives in developing nations aimed at connecting rural areas to telecom networks, are significant factors driving the deployment of telecom towers.

According to estimates from GSMA, the total number of unique mobile subscribers worldwide was nearing 5 billion by the end of 2017, with projections suggesting an increase to approximately 5.7 billion by the end of 2020. This growth indicates that nearly 75% of the global population would be subscribed to mobile services. The surge in mobile subscribers during this timeframe is largely attributed to the developing economies in the Asia Pacific region, where a significant portion of the global population resides. Additionally, the widespread adoption of smartphones and the availability of high-speed connectivity have been pivotal in driving innovations in artificial intelligence and facilitating digital transformation. Over the past decade, mobile operators have invested nearly US$ 700 billion in enhancing telecommunication network infrastructure. By the end of 2016, there were approximately 4.8 billion GSM subscribers and 7.9 billion SIM connections globally.

The telecom tower market is segmented by type into several categories, including lattice towers, guyed towers, monopole towers, camouflage towers, and mobile cell towers. Furthermore, the market is divided based on tower placement into Greenfield towers and rooftop towers. Additionally, the telecom tower market is categorized by deployment type into shared infrastructure deployment and owned deployment. Geographically, the telecom tower market is currently dominated by developed regions, particularly Asia Pacific. However, the market is anticipated to shift favorably towards the Middle East, Africa, and North America. The increasing penetration of smartphones in developing regions of Africa and Asia, combined with the rapid advancement of internet infrastructure in these areas, are key drivers for the growth of telecom tower installations.

Key players in the global telecom tower market include American Tower Company, Cellnex Telecom, China Tower Co. Ltd., Crown Castle International Corp., Indus Tower Ltd., IHS Holdings Ltd., SBA Communication Corporation, Telesites S.A.B. DE C.V, Telxius (Telefonica SA), and PT Tower Bersama Infrastructure TBK, among others. Numerous other participants are also active in the telecom tower market, providing customers with advanced technologies that further stimulate the growth of the telecom tower sector.