Mobile technologies and services have become a fundamental pillar of the Latin America mobile economy, generating $600 billion in economic value during 2025. That figure represented 8.6 per cent of the region’s gross domestic product, according to the latest analysis from GSMA Intelligence. The mobile ecosystem supported close to 3 million jobs across the region, comprising 1.6 million direct roles and 1.2 million indirect positions, while contributing $50 billion in public revenues.
By 2030, the sector’s economic contribution is forecast to climb to $700 billion, expanding at a compound annual growth rate of 3.2 per cent. This trajectory is underpinned by wider 5G adoption Latin America operators are pursuing, alongside the integration of artificial intelligence and Internet of Things technologies into commercial operations. The Latin America mobile economy is thus positioned as one of the region’s most significant contributors to productivity and digital inclusion.
5G Adoption Latin America: Half of All Connections by 2030
Latin America’s telecoms market is entering a substantial network investment cycle as operators expand 5G coverage and modernise digital infrastructure. Half of all mobile connections in the region are expected to run on 5G networks by the end of the decade, while industry revenues are projected to grow from $71.8 billion in 2025 to $83.9 billion in 2030.
To support this transition, mobile operators are expected to commit $75.8 billion in capital expenditure between 2025 and 2030. This network investment will be directed towards strengthening capacity, improving spectrum utilisation and deploying cloud-native digital infrastructure across the region. The scale of this spending underscores the confidence operators have in the long-term growth of the Latin America mobile economy and the commercial viability of next-generation services.
Leading operators across the region are already accelerating their network plans. America Movil has expanded automation across its operational and business support platforms, streamlining provisioning and billing across multiple subsidiaries. Through Claro Chile, the company has deployed generative AI-powered customer service agents, post-call analytics and automated SIM blocking for lost or stolen devices, reporting significant reductions in customer handling times. Telefonica Vivo Brazil is advancing autonomous networking through closed-loop automation and intent-based networking within its virtualised 5G core. During 2026, Vivo also began testing agentic AI applications with Ericsson and Amazon Web Services, enabling engineers to manage network operations through natural language interfaces.
TIM Brasil has expanded its partnership with Nokia to upgrade its nationwide 5G network, deploying Nokia’s AI-RAN-ready AirScale portfolio to improve coverage, strengthen indoor connectivity and reduce energy consumption. Millicom continues expanding fibre broadband and 5G-ready digital infrastructure across Colombia, Paraguay, Guatemala, Honduras, Bolivia and Panama, investing in converged mobile and fixed networks. Telecom Argentina is strengthening 5G readiness and expanding fibre coverage, while Entel Chile and Entel Peru continue investing in nationwide 5G expansion and enterprise digital transformation. Liberty Latin America is expanding fibre-to-the-home, mobile broadband and enterprise cloud services across the Caribbean and Latin America. Oi Brazil remains focused on expanding wholesale fibre infrastructure through V.tal, supporting broadband growth and providing fibre backhaul for advanced 5G services.
AI Telecom Deployment Gains Commercial Momentum
Artificial intelligence has moved beyond pilot programmes and become a core operational technology for telecoms operators across the Latin America mobile economy. Customer care accounts for 78 per cent of all AI telecom deployment in the region, the highest share among global regions. Operators are using AI agents, chatbots and generative AI tools to enhance customer experience, reduce handling times and lower operating costs.
The region has achieved one of the highest implementation rates globally, with 85 per cent of AI deployments already operating in live production environments, compared with a global average of 66 per cent. However, only 8 per cent of deployments currently focus on network operations and just 9 per cent target new revenue generation, well below the 20 to 30 per cent seen in Europe and Asia-Pacific. This reflects a stronger regional emphasis on operational efficiency and cost optimisation rather than revenue diversification through AI telecom deployment.
Cloud Providers Scale Up Regional Digital Infrastructure
Telecoms network expansion is being complemented by large-scale investments from hyperscale cloud providers. Amazon Web Services has announced a $4 billion investment in cloud infrastructure and data centres in Chile. Microsoft plans to invest approximately $1.3 billion in cloud and AI infrastructure in Mexico over the next three years, while Google is investing more than $850 million to establish a second data centre in Uruguay. These projects will provide the computing foundation required for AI applications, enterprise digital transformation and advanced cloud services.
As operators continue directing $75.8 billion in network investment towards digital infrastructure and 5G adoption Latin America reaches 50 per cent of all mobile connections by 2030, the GSMA mobile report projects the Latin America mobile economy will generate $700 billion in economic value. Combined with increasing adoption of AI, IoT, fibre broadband and cloud computing, the mobile ecosystem is set to reinforce its role as a critical driver of long-term economic development across the region.