In this episode, two of Analysys Mason's leading experts, Tom Rebbeck and Paul Jevons, explore mobile consolidation through the lens of transformation and value creation. They focus on what it takes to turn deals into real results. 

They discuss: 

If consolidation is on your horizon, listen to this episode and discover what it takes to deliver real transformation and value in practice – from day one through to full integration. 

Learn more about how we support operators, investors and lenders with mobile consolidation. 

Get in touch to speak with one of our experts. 

Mobile operator consolidation is often straightforward to model, but far more complex to deliver in practice.

They discuss:

The emerging orbital data centre market is attracting growing interest, driven by the expansion of space-based operations and the increasing challenges associated with terrestrial data centres. Rising demand for AI in both domains is further fuelling interest. The prominent entrepreneurs advocating orbital data centres, including Elon Musk, Sam Altman, Jeff Bezos and Eric Schmidt, highlight the considerable activity and hype surrounding orbital data centres.

In this podcast, three of Analysys Mason’s experts, Christopher Baugh, Claude Rousseau and Simon Sherrington, discuss the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of orbital data centres. They examine perspectives from the terrestrial data centre sector, the current challenges facing data centre growth, how these factors are linked to the emerging orbital market and what developments may lie ahead.

Learn more about our recently published report: Orbital data centres: trends and analysis

Learn more about our Earth observation programme

This short extract from Analysys Mason’s M&A Predictions podcast features Charles Murray, Partner, and Alessandro Ravagnolo, Partner, discussing the renewed momentum behind mobile market consolidation in Europe.

In this bite-sized segment Charles explores why 4-to-3 consolidation is firmly back on the agenda, what has changed since earlier European deals, and why recent regulatory decisions are being viewed as a potential inflection point for the sector. He looks at where consolidation activity is most likely to emerge next, the role of network-sharing as an alternative path, and the implications for operators, investors and infrastructure players.

The conversation is particularly relevant for senior decision makers navigating sustained investment pressure, returns on capital and regulatory complexity across European mobile markets.

In this podcast, our space experts, Christopher Baugh, Partner, and Prachi Kawade, Senior Analyst, cover how Amazon Leo and TeraWave from Blue Origin will soon enter the low-Earth orbit (LEO) connectivity market and raise the competitive pressure on today’s satellite broadband leaders.

Amazon Leo’s LEO network pairs gigabit class, enterprise-grade performance with deep AWS integration, signalling a cloud-native challenger built for far more than consumer access. Blue Origin’s TeraWave constellation will up the ante with a multi-orbit, ultra-high throughput design aimed squarely at enterprise, government and data-centre workloads. We compare these architectures with Starlink’s model and highlight where features such as symmetrical multi-Tbit/s capacity and built-in redundancy could shift expectations for non-terrestrial networks. We also examine the strategic and operational hurdles both players must clear to compete globally.

Explore our related programmes: 

Satellite Capacity

In this podcast, Research Partners Caroline Gabriel, Chris Baugh and Tom Rebbeck discuss the key topics that we will cover in our research in 2026. They explore spectrum, AI and why the telecoms industry may be ‘losing its religion’. Caroline, Chris and Tom also share the one thing that they will be watching most closely in 2026.

Learn more about our research and insights here

The space industry is entering a decisive phase as satellite connectivity, government investment and new commercial models move from experimentation to large-scale deployment.

At Analysys Mason, we celebrate every successful deal. In 2025, we supported over 210 deals across a range of technology-enabled services, from traditional telecoms and digital infrastructure to emerging sectors like space, IT services and software. It has been a year of growth, collaboration and transformation, as we have strengthened ties with the investment community and embraced new business models.

In this podcast episode, Alessandro Ravagnolo, Partner, is joined by Charles Murray, Partner, as they delve into the Analysys Mason technology, media and telecoms (TMT) merger and acquisition (M&A) predictions for 2026. They explore how TMT investors will navigate the evolving landscape of market consolidation, the impact of new technologies like AI and the strategic decisions that will shape the industry’s future. Join us as we look ahead to another year of bold ideas, strategic partnerships and transformative deals.

Explore all of our M&A predictions

Watch the the video

Telecoms operators will face critical strategic decisions in 2026 as AI investment reshapes the communications infrastructure landscape and intensifies pressure on traditional network economics.

In this episode, Alessandro Ravagnolo, Partner, is joined by Caroline Gabriel, Partner, and Charles Murray, Partner, to discuss how telecoms operators should respond as capital requirements for AI and digital infrastructure increase. They explore the investment decisions that operators must make, the implications for network ownership and infrastructure strategy, and whether market consolidation will be essential to achieving scale and sustainable returns.

France is likely to be the next major European market to go from four to three mobile operators in 2026

In this podcast, Gilles Monniaux, Principal at Analysys Mason, speaks with Ahmed Haddad, Technical Advisor at Arcep, about the French regulator’s approach to the evolution of wireless networks and digital sustainability. They begin by discussing a study conducted by Analysys Mason on behalf of Arcep on the evolution of the uses of wireless telecoms networks and on the dimensioning of those networks. They also explore digital sustainability and how Arcep incorporates it into its work. Topics include:

This episode offers practical insights for policy makers, operators and stakeholders on balancing network innovation with environmental responsibility.

Read the related report: https://en.arcep.fr/fileadmin/reprise/dossiers/frequences/etude-usages-et-reseaux_sept2025/study-executive-summary_evolution-uses-telecoms-networks_ENG_sept2025.pdf

Read more work on Arcep’s work on digital sustainability: https://en.arcep.fr/arcep/arcep-europe-international/digital-sustainability.html

Learn more about Analysys Mason's regulation and policy services: Regulation and policy for telecoms, media and technology (TMT)