European 5G and IoT Monetization and Adoption Strategies: Program Scope and Definitions, 2026

This IDC Perspective provides an overview of markets covered under IDC's European 5G and IoT Monetization and Adoption Strategies research program. It analyzes various aspects of 5G strategies, including connections and use cases, details the overarching market trends and competitive dynamics of the industry, and provides actionable advice to providers with interests in 5G and mobility management technologies."The telecommunications industry has reached a critical inflection point where connectivity is no longer a sufficient engine for growth. To justify the massive capital expenditure in next-generation mobile networks, operators are pivoting from being 'bit pipes' to becoming digital service enablers," said Alejandro Cadenas, associate vice president of Telco Research at IDC. "This shift makes strategic monetization the top priority for telcos as well as for the entire ecosystem of technology partners and vendors, who must now prove their value in driving new revenue streams beyond monthly subscriptions."