Telecommunications Resellers Industry Profile

Companies in this industry purchase network access and capacity from telecommunications carriers and resell wired and wireless telecommunications services to businesses and households. Most major carriers provide network access to resellers on a wholesale basis and also own reseller brands. Major US companies include AT&T's Cricket Wireless, Sprint's Boost Mobile, T-Mobile's MetroPCS, and Tracfone Wireless (owned by Mexico's America Movil). Outside the US major companies include Truphone and Lycamobile (both based in the UK) and CITIC Telecom International (Hong Kong).

Worldwide, the wireless telecommunications reseller market was about $55 billion in 2017, a figure that is expected to exceed $120 billion by 2024, according to Global Market Insights. Europe is the largest market for the industry. The Asia/Pacific region, driven by China and India, represents a major growth opportunity.

The US telecommunications resellers industry includes about 5,600 establishments (single-location companies and units of multi-location companies) with combined annual revenue of about $20 billion

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Demand is driven by consumer spending, growth in business activity, and new technology. The profitability of individual companies depends on efficient operations and good marketing and customer service. Large companies enjoy economies of scale in purchasing telecommunications services to resell. Smaller companies can compete effectively in niche geographic markets. The US industry is concentrated: the top 50 companies account for about 75% of revenue.

PRODUCTS, OPERATIONS & TECHNOLOGY

Telecommunications resellers offer services at lower prices and with more flexible plans than traditional ...