Telecoms operator opex reduction strategies: case studies and analysis (single-market European operators)

This report analyses the approaches that five telecoms operators in Europe are taking to reduce their operating costs. The selected operators are active in no more than two countries in Europe. We consider four aspects of each operator’s opex reduction initiatives: operations, infrastructure and network, organisation and energy costs.

The report identifies some of the strategic targets set by operators and, where relevant, assesses whether these targets have been met and whether past strategies have been effective. It also describes trends regarding opex, opex intensity, opex breakdown by category and opex per subscriber.

The case studies included in this report are based on publicly available sources as well as insights from analyst briefings and events.

Questions answered in this report

• In which areas are telecoms operators trying to reduce opex? 
• What types of initiatives are operators pursuing to achieve their opex objectives? 
• What are the drivers and the targets of these initiatives? 
• What are the common challenges that operators face in terms of opex reduction?

Operators included as case studies

• BT
• Elisa
• KPN
• Proximus
• Swisscom