IoT boom drives Japan’s mobile revenue to $51.4b, surpassing human users

GlobalData forecasts $2.7b revenue rise by 2030 driven by 7.2% M2M and IoT growth.

Japan’s mobile services revenue is forecast to rise to $51.4b by 2030 from $48.7b in 2025, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.1%, according to GlobalData’s Japan Mobile Communications Forecast published in the third quarter of 2025.

The report also found that average monthly mobile data usage is expected to grow to 25 GB in 2030 from 16.6 GB in 2025.

Machine-to-Machine (M2M) and Internet of Things (IoT) subscriptions, which enable connected devices and industrial applications, are projected to expand at a CAGR of 7.2% over the same period.

Mobile voice revenue is forecast to decline at a CAGR of 2%, driven by the shift to OTT and internet-based communications.

Mobile data revenue, in contrast, is projected to grow at a CAGR of 2.1%, supported by rising mobile internet subscriptions and premium 5G adoption.

5G will remain the dominant mobile technology through 2030, underpinned by network modernization, broader 5G smartphone availability, and premium service plans.

NTT led the mobile services market in 2025 and is expected to maintain its position through 2030, followed by KDDI, driven by 5G network expansion and M2M/IoT offerings.

“Japan’s mobile market is entering a phase where growth will depend less on subscriber expansion and more on monetisation of data-rich services,” said Sarwat Zeeshan, Telecom Analyst at GlobalData.

“Operators that scale premium 5G and IoT ecosystems will be best positioned to sustain revenue momentum,” he added.