Mobile service revenue in Australia is expected to increase from US$9.6 billion in 2021 to US$11.2 billion in 2026, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3 percent, driven by the mobile data service segment, according to GlobalData.
Mobile voice service revenue in Australia is expected to decline slightly at a CAGR of 0.3 percent over the forecast period 2021-2026. Mobile data service revenue in Australia is set to increase at a CAGR of 4.1 percent, supported by the growing adoption of 5G services, which yield higher average revenue per user (ARPU).

While 3G service subscription is expected to witness a steep decline though the forecast period, 5G service will see its subscriptions surpass that of 4G service in 2024 and become the dominant mobile technology cornering 68 percent of total mobile subscriptions by end of the forecast period.

This growth in 5G subscriptions will be driven by the 5G network expansions by the major operators – Telstra, Optus and TPG Telecom.

Telstra will lead the mobile services market in Australia in terms of mobile subscriptions in 2021, followed by Optus and TPG Telecom.

Telstra will retain its leading position through 2026 with plans to increase its 5G network reach to 95 percent of the population from the existing 75 percent, while increasing metro cells by twofold to enhance 5G speed and capacity by 2025.