Help us improve this section of the site. Can we get your feedback? Click here

DataBank

DataBank Home Databases Create Report Saved Reports Saved Datasets Metadata Glossary

What's New


World Development Indicators was updated on December 4, 2025
International Debt Statistics: DSSI was updated on December 3, 2025
International Debt Statistics was updated on December 3, 2025
Global Economic Monitor (GEM) was updated on November 13, 2025

Metadata Glossary

Code	IT.TEL.REVN.GD.ZS
Indicator Name	Telecommunications revenue (% GDP)
Long definition	Telecommunications revenue is the revenue from the provision of telecommunications services such as fixed-line, mobile, and data.
Source	International Telecommunication Union, World Telecommunication/ICT Development Report and database, and World Bank estimates.
Topic	Infrastructure: Communications
Periodicity	Annual
Aggregation method	Weighted average
Statistical concept and methodology	Total (gross) telecommunication revenue is the revenue earned from all (fixed, mobile and data including Internet) operators (both network and virtual operators) offering services within the country excluding revenues from non-telecommunications services. Revenue (turnover) consists of telecommunication service earnings during the financial year under review. This should refer to actual revenues earned by retailers and not from wholesale. Revenue should not include monies received in respect of revenue earned during previous financial years, neither does it include monies received by way of loans from governments, or external investors, nor monies received from repayable subscribers' contributions or deposits. Revenues should be net of royalties. It should exclude revenues generated from traditional broadcasting.
Development relevance	Access to telecommunication services rose on an unprecedented scale over the past two decades. This growth was driven primarily by wireless technologies and liberalization of telecommunications markets, which have enabled faster and less costly network rollout. Over the past decade new financing and technology, along with privatization and market liberalization, have spurred dramatic growth in telecommunications in many countries. With the rapid development of mobile telephony and the global expansion of the Internet, information and communication technologies are increasingly recognized as essential tools of development, contributing to global integration and enhancing public sector effectiveness, efficiency, and transparency.
Limitations and exceptions	Revenues from non-telecommunications services should be excluded.
General comments	Restricted use: Please cite the International Telecommunication Union for third-party use of these data. This indicator is not available in the World Development Indicators time series database.
License URL	http://www.itu.int
License Type	Use and distribution of these data are subject to ITU terms and conditions.

^