12 Telecom Business Ideas You Can Start Today [2024]
Interested in starting a telecom business in 2024?
We put together 12 of the best telecom businesses you can start in today.
For each business idea, we’ll show real-world examples of other telecom businesses to help you see what it really takes.
Here's the full list:
1. Create a digital wallet app
A digital wallet is a financial transaction application that runs on mobile devices. In today’s digital era, people demand the freedom to purchase anything and be able to pay from their digital wallets.
With technological advancement, making digital payments has become easier than ever before. Anyone can use mobile payment platforms to pay and accept payments online. Therefore, creating a digital payments wallet can be a great business opportunity.
To create a digital wallet, conduct extensive market research and create a business plan. It would help if you could hire competent programmers to create a secure payment gateway.
How much you can make: $220,000 — $1,500,000/month
How long does it take to build: 400 days (?)
iCard is a leading e-money institution that offers a unique and 100% digital bank account alternative, with their app and services supporting the daily payments of people in over 30 European countries, and since launch in late 2017, the iCard app has seen around 500,000 downloads.
2. Start a sms marketing business
SMS marketing refers to sending promotional campaigns or transactional messages for marketing purposes using text messages.
With 85% 0f adults in the US owning a smartphone, SMS is an excellent way to reach customers directly. Recent statistics show that approximately 55% of US retailers plan to increase investments in mobile SMS marketing.
Typical applications of SMS marketing include:
- Personalized promotions
- Offers or discounts
- Remarketing campaigns
- Online surveys
Given the widespread adoption of SMS marketing, you better start your SMS marketing platform and offer businesses the service based on once-off purchases or long-term subscriptions.
How much you can make: $1,200 — $3,100,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,015 (?)
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
GreenRope, a self-funded CRM and marketing automation platform with over 1,000 customers in 20 countries, was built organically and focused on creating a positive, customer-centric culture without outside investment, with an all-in-one interface solving challenges in managing sales, marketing, customer service, and operations.
3. Start a virtual call center business
Do you enjoy helping people and talking on the phone? If you want a business that provides flexibility regarding working location and time, consider starting a virtual call center business.
A virtual call center can be a lucrative low capital and a work-from-home business. Here is a list of what you need to start a virtual call center business:
- Select a specialty area/niche
- Buy computers and call center software
- Find clients
- Focus on growing your business
When starting a virtual call center business, some clients may require you to use their defined call center software.
How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 365 days (?)
4. Start a phone repair business
The unprecedented growth of the mobile phone industry has given rise to many businesses that depend on the industry.
The mobile phone repair business is one example of a profitable opportunity in the telecommunication industry. People cannot live without a mobile phone, so visiting a repair shop is often the first option when their current set is damaged.
Thus, you could consider opening a mobile phone repair business if you are a cell phone engineer. The phone repair business is low-capital and allows owners to define their work routines.
5. Start a cable TV network providing business
Cable television network delivers programming to consumers via a radio frequency (RF) signal transmitted through coaxial cables or light pulses. Starting a TV network is not massive a task as you may think.
To launch your TV network, rent a channel and set up your technical equipment. You will need staff to help you with programming and creating content. When you have a technical team and equipment set, announce the channel and focus on attracting an audience.
6. Start a recharge voucher selling
The prepaid mobile telephony market has shown rapid growth. The sale of voucher cards will remain a lucrative business idea.
To start a voucher sale business, you can become a retailer or a wholesaler or start a voucher & recharge management system that offers a secure and flexible prepaid service recharge solution that supports multiple payment options.
7. Start a network equipment & devices business
Networking hardware refers to network equipment required for communication between different hardware connected to a network. The network devices help to ensure a hassle-free sharing of network resources between multiple systems.
According to statistics, the network devices market will grow by a CAGR of 6.6% to reach $36.4 Billion.
If you are looking for profitable telecom business ideas, consider starting a network devices business.
8. Start an internet service provider business
The global broadband internet services market has grown significantly over the past decade. As the work-from-home culture becomes the new normal, more people will need a network connection. Therefore, starting an internet service provider business can be a lucrative opportunity.
You must get your ISP license approval and invest in network infrastructure to start an ISP business.
How much you can make: $430,000/month
How long does it take to build: 412 days (?)
This case study is about how Chaymeriyia Moncrief launched Tesix Wireless Network, a prepaid wireless carrier with around 7,000 mobile subscribers and an average monthly revenue of $430,000 from mobile subscriptions, box sells, and activations kits, targeting young adults and millennials who want lower phone services, zero fees, no contracts, and zero limits on their data by leveraging influencers, raising funds, and building an online presence.
9. Start a smartphones shop
According to statistics, over 80% of the world's population use a smartphone.
Technology changes rapidly, and consumers want the latest gadget with advanced functionality. Thus, starting a smartphone shop is a lucrative opportunity to benefit from the ever-increasing market.
10. Start a telecommunication masts construction and installation business
As telecommunication companies are working towards achieving 100% connectivity across the country. Thus, they hire telecommunication engineers to help erect the transmitter masts.
Thus, starting a telecommunication erection and installation business can be a lucrative opportunity for all telecom engineers. Telecom erection and installation businesses work from the ground up to build structures and install telecommunication equipment.
How much you can make: $30,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)
Fli-Fi is a temporary internet connectivity and WiFi company that has seen consistent triple-digit growth over the last 6 years, with more than 30 jobs and repeat business from clients who trust and rely on their great service.
11. Start a telecommunications business
The telecommunication business involves the development, ownership, or operation of one or more telephone, telecommunications or information systems. Typically, telecom companies provide infrastructure to enable clients to transmit voice, video, and data.
To start a telecommunication business, you need telecommunication skills.
How much you can make: $430,000/month
How long does it take to build: 251 days (?)
This case study is about how Chaymeriyia Moncrief launched Tesix Wireless Network, a prepaid wireless carrier with around 7,000 mobile subscribers and an average monthly revenue of $430,000 from mobile subscriptions, box sells, and activations kits, targeting young adults and millennials who want lower phone services, zero fees, no contracts, and zero limits on their data by leveraging influencers, raising funds, and building an online presence.
12. Start a telecom products distribution business
Interested in starting a telecommunication-related business? Consider becoming a telecom products distributor.
Telecommunication equipment includes public switching, transmission, and customer premises equipment. To become a telecommunication products distributor, identify the in-demand telecom equipment, and find a reliable manufacturer.
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
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- 8,628 business ideas
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- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
