Transforming To A Techco: Can Telcos Beat The Odds?

Telcos seeking to go "beyond connectivity" isn't new. Over the last 10 to 15 years, telcos have made a push into ICT, lifestyle services, utility / insurance resell, fintech, marketplaces and even healthcare. The motivation for such diversification was always clear - to find new growth sources as the connectivity business becomes increasingly commoditized and to monetize the B2C and B2B relationships. A number of telcos globally had made it a centerpiece of their strategy but have had mixed results over the years. Even while some of the telcos have been successful at revenue diversification, translating that into margins and sustained shareholder returns has been difficult.