If you’re reading this, it means you are connected to the internet. But in order to connect your phone, tablet, laptop, or desktop computer to the internet, you will need a provider who will offer you such a connection. These service providers are telecommunications companies, also known as telecom companies. They in many ways represent the gates to the internet. Unsurprisingly, telecom companies are therefore some of the most powerful and influential companies in the world.
While in most places there is usually also a number of smaller, locally operating telecom providers, the market, in general, is dominated by big, globally active telecommunications corporations. The telecom market is in particular dominated by five big companies. The following ranking lists not only them but also the entire Top 10 of the largest telecommunications companies in the world by their most recently achieved annual revenue.
The 10 Largest Telecommunications Companies in the World
1. AT&T
2. Verizon
3. Deutsche Telekom
4. China Mobile
5. Nippon Telegraph & Telephone
6. China Telecom
7. Vodafone
8. America Movil
9. Orange
10. Telefonica
The 10 Largest Telecommunications Companies in the World 2021
(as of August 2021)
| Top 10 Largest Telecommunications Companies in the World 2021: |
|---|
| 1. AT&T Revenue: $171.8 billion |
| 2. VERIZON Revenue: $128.3 billion |
| 3. DEUTSCHE TELEKOM Revenue: $119.1 billion |
| 4. CHINA MOBILE Revenue: $115.2 billion |
| 5. NIPPON TELEGRAPH & TELEPHONE Revenue: $110.0 billion |
| 6. CHINA TELECOM Revenue: $54.4 billion |
| 7. VODAFONE Revenue: $53.1 billion |
| 8. AMERICA MOVIL Revenue: $52.7 billion |
| 9. ORANGE Revenue: $49.9 billion |
| 10. TELEFONICA Revenue: $49.2 billion |
The 10 largest telecommunications companies in the world by latest achieved revenues. Revenues are given in U.S. dollars and converted according to the exchange rates at the time of the ranking.