— Partnership Between European Mobile Operators and Policy Makers Is Critical to Unlocking the Benefits of the “Connected Life”

BRUSSELS, Sept. 5, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — Ahead of today’s GSMA Mobile 360-Europe conference in Brussels, the GSMA released a comprehensive assessment of the impact of the mobile industry in Europe. The report(1) “Mobile Economy Europe 2013”, developed by GSMA Intelligence, reveals that in 2012, the mobile ecosystem generated approximately 2.1 per cent of GDP for the European Union (EU) – including contributions to public funding of EUR53 billion – and directly supported 394,000 jobs in the region.

The study also indicates that, despite having the world’s highest unique subscriber penetration rate at 79 per cent, Europe is the only region to see revenues decline – from EUR162 billion in 2010(2) to EUR151 billion in 2012 – and is now falling behind in the deployment of next-generation mobile technologies and the advanced services they make possible. The report concludes with the opportunities presented in a world where nearly everything and everyone will be connected by mobile and the key role of smart policy and regulation in helping Europe maximise its potential.

“Europe was long viewed as a pioneer in mobile, but, as this report illustrates, is now lagging behind other regions in the deployment of mobile broadband, particularly in 4G/LTE,” said Anne Bouverot, Director General, GSMA. “Despite this, the mobile industry can play a key role in the European recovery, but this will require policy that encourages investment in mobile broadband connectivity, enables innovation and helps build consumer confidence in mobile services. This should be at the heart of the Commission’s planned proposals on a single telecoms market.” read more