PUBLISHER: Prescient & Strategic Intelligence | PRODUCT CODE: 1803345
PUBLISHER: Prescient & Strategic Intelligence | PRODUCT CODE: 1803345
The telecom cloud market is poised for exceptional growth, with its size projected to expand from USD 22.1 billion in 2024 to USD 149.1 billion by 2032, advancing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 27.1% from 2025 to 2032. This surge is primarily driven by the increasing demand for robust network connectivity, the rise of 5G networks, and the growing adoption of cloud-native environments. Telecom operators, facing challenges from declining revenues and digital disruptions, are leveraging cloud technologies to evolve beyond traditional network services. The cloud has significantly impacted the telecom sector, enabling operators to store and manage data, deploy advanced cloud services, and utilize data-driven insights for enhanced customer service.
The need for digital transformation across enterprises is another key factor fueling the market's growth. As industries such as BFSI, healthcare, and retail accelerate their digitalization, there is a growing demand for advanced network setups that can support online portals, data sharing, digital payments, and other critical functions. The transition to cloud-based infrastructure is simplifying IT management and helping companies gain a competitive edge, thus driving the telecom cloud market forward.
Key Insights
The solutions segment accounted for the largest share of the telecom cloud market in 2024, with 55%. Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) and content delivery networks are integral to telecom operations, supporting mobile, video, and enterprise services. These solutions are widely adopted and generate recurring revenue for providers.
The hybrid cloud deployment model is expected to grow at the highest CAGR of 27.3%. Hybrid clouds combine both public and private cloud services, offering enterprises greater flexibility, scalability, and control over their operations. This model supports fast changes in workflows and assures business continuity, which is critical for industries like telecom.
AI and Machine Learning (ML) are increasingly integrated into telecom cloud solutions to enhance network performance. AI-driven systems predict network congestion and potential hardware failures, helping operators fix issues before they affect service quality. This trend is exemplified by Microsoft's launch of Copilot in Azure Operator Insights, which uses AI to improve network management.
The software as a service (SaaS) category dominated the market, holding 60% of the share in 2024. SaaS offers telecom operators fully developed, internet-based applications, including billing systems and CRM platforms, without the need for in-house infrastructure. The pay-as-you-go pricing model and the convenience of not having to manage updates or server maintenance have made SaaS a preferred choice.
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) is expected to grow at the highest CAGR of 27.5%, driven by its ability to provide scalable computing resources for businesses. Telecom companies are increasingly adopting IaaS to facilitate application testing and development, with the flexibility to scale resources up or down as required.
The large enterprises category held the majority market share of 65% in 2024, as these companies can make significant investments in cloud infrastructure. They require scalable and secure cloud solutions to handle telecom services, data traffic, and analytics across their geographically dispersed operations. The telecom cloud solutions offer highly effective systems, such as Network Function Virtualization (NFV) and Software-Defined Networking (SDN), tailored to large enterprises.
Asia-Pacific (APAC) is expected to experience the highest growth rate of 28.5% during the forecast period, fueled by strong growth in countries like China and India. The adoption of cloud infrastructure services in these countries is increasing, driven by investments in telecom infrastructure and the rapid rise in data consumption. China's significant cloud market growth, along with government initiatives to improve telecom infrastructure, further supports this growth.
Cloud migration is expected to be one of the fastest-growing applications in the telecom cloud market, with a projected CAGR of 27.4%. As telecom operators transition from conventional infrastructure to flexible cloud solutions, the demand for cloud migration services is increasing. This shift is particularly important as telecom providers strive to meet the growing demand for over-the-top (OTT) cloud services.
The North America region held the largest market share of 40% in 2024, led by the U.S., where telecom cloud technologies such as NFV, SDN, and 5G are widely adopted. Leading tech giants like Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud, along with top telecom operators like AT&T and Verizon, dominate the region's market, driving significant investments in cloud infrastructure and AI-driven automation.
The SMEs segment is expected to grow at the highest rate of 27.8% during the forecast period. Cloud services have become more accessible and affordable, allowing small and medium-sized enterprises to leverage telecom cloud solutions without significant upfront investment. The increased focus on digital transformation post-pandemic has accelerated cloud adoption among SMEs.
Network, data storage, and computing remain the largest application category in the telecom cloud market, supporting critical telecom operations. As telecom operators scale their services and manage increasing data volumes, cloud-based solutions offer the necessary infrastructure for efficient and reliable service delivery.