What Strand Consult does

Strand Consult is an independent research and advisory consultancy headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark, specializing in the global telecommunications industry. Founded in 1997 (consistent with the company's stated 28 years of experience), the firm produces analytical reports, research notes, and workshops covering telecom regulation, broadband cost recovery, Universal Service Fund reform, LEO satellite technology, 5G deployment economics, and telecom capital expenditure trends. Its flagship initiative, the Global Project on Broadband Cost Recovery and Business Models, synthesizes broadband policy data across 50 providers in 24 US states and extends into the Caribbean, Africa, and the European Union. The firm positions itself as a contrarian independent voice on fair-share policy, advocating for usage-based contribution mechanisms from hyperscalers and streaming platforms and publishing fact-checks of competing analyst reports.

The firm serves a horizontal mix of clients including telecom operators, policymakers and regulators, and the press. Its stated client base exceeds 170 telecom operators, and it maintains an active presence at industry forums such as Mobile World Congress, the TPRC Annual Research Conference, and the International Telecommunications Biennial Conference. The senior team is anchored by founder and CEO John Strand, with vice presidents Roslyn Layton and Steen Thygesen. Recent research has expanded into adjacent areas including defense and mission-critical communications, Caribbean and African broadband financing, and the global $2 trillion network investment gap.

Strand Consult operates a sales-led go-to-market model, distributing research directly through its strandconsult.dk website via a mix of free and paid reports alongside workshops. Revenue mechanics are not publicly disclosed, but the product portfolio is consistent with a subscription or report-licensing advisory business serving enterprise buyers. The firm is privately held with no disclosed institutional investors, no parent company, and a headcount in the 11-50 range, suggesting a boutique, founder-led consultancy rather than a scaled platform business.

Name

Strand Consult

Legal name

Strand Consult

Website

https://strandreports.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Strand Consult is an independent Copenhagen-based telecom research and advisory consultancy producing reports, workshops, and analysis on broadband cost recovery, USF reform, LEO satellites, and telecom regulation for 170+ operators, policymakers, and regulators worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Telecommunications Consulting

NAICS

Management Consulting Services (54161)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Telecommunications & Network Engineering Consulting (BPAHAIAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public Sector & Policy Consulting (BPAHACAN), Policy, Regulatory & Public Affairs Research (BPAHALAF)

Keywords

• Telecom consulting
• Telecommunications research
• Broadband policy analysis
• Regulatory advisory
• Telecom strategy

Headquarters

HQ city

Copenhagen

HQ country

Denmark

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Research Reports and Analysis: Strand Consult generates revenue through the sale of specialized research reports on telecommunications topics including broadband cost recovery, 5G, LEO satellites, and telecom capex. Reports are offered both as free resources and paid deliverables, with topics covering policy analysis, global broadband comparisons, and telecom business models.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Strand Consult is an independent telecom-focused consultancy that sells research reports, workshops, and research notes to telecom operators, policymakers, regulators, and industry stakeholders. Its flagship initiative is the Global Project on Broadband Cost Recovery and Business Models, which synthesizes knowledge on broadband policy, Universal Service Fund reform, LEO satellite technology, 5G deployment economics, and fair-share contribution frameworks from Big Tech to network infrastructure.

Product overview

Strand Consult is an independent consulting firm specializing in telecommunications industry research and analysis. The company operates a portfolio of research products including analytical reports, workshops, and research notes covering technologies, revenue models, distribution strategies, and regulatory impact. The core offerings center on the Global Project on Broadband Cost Recovery and Business Models, which synthesizes broadband policy knowledge globally. Reports address specific topics including broadband pricing, LEO satellite technology, USF reform, telecom capital expenditures, and regional investment opportunities (Caribbean, Africa). The company has 28 years of experience and counts over 170 operators among its clients.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Research Reports

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Analysys Mason: Global telecom, media and technology-focused consultancy that produces influential research on broadband investment and fair share, directly competing with Strand Consult for operator and policymaker mindshare. Strand has even published formal fact-checks of Analysys Mason reports, underscoring direct rivalry.
• Omdia: Large-scale telecom and digital infrastructure research house serving operators, vendors and regulators with subscription research and advisory. Overlaps with Strand on broadband, 5G capex, and policy coverage but with significantly broader coverage.
• GSMA Intelligence: Industry-association-backed research arm serving the global mobile operator ecosystem with market data, forecasts and policy analysis. Comparable to Strand in audience (mobile operators and policymakers) though with deeper quantitative datasets.
• TeleGeography: Specialist telecom market research firm known for authoritative datasets on international bandwidth, submarine cables, and wholesale pricing. Closely comparable to Strand in being a research-led, telecom-only specialist serving operators and regulators.
• Cartesian: Telecommunications-focused consulting firm with strong practice in regulatory strategy, spectrum and network economics. Directly comparable to Strand in serving operators and regulators on policy and business model issues.
• New Street Research: Independent research and advisory firm specialising in telecoms and digital infrastructure, with deep coverage of European operator strategy. Comparable to Strand in audience and thematic focus but distributed primarily via institutional equity research channels.
• Dell'Oro Group: Independent research firm specialising in telecom infrastructure and capex market intelligence, including broadband, mobile and transport networks. Closely comparable to Strand's telecom capex and broadband infrastructure research.

Emerging players

• Coleago Consulting: Boutique telecom strategy consultancy focused on operator business models, spectrum and 5G economics. Similar niche focus to Strand but with a heavier emphasis on operator-side commercial strategy than policy advocacy.

Broad incumbents

• McKinsey (TMT Practice): Global management consultancy with a large Technology, Media and Telecom practice serving operators and regulators on strategy and policy. Overlaps with Strand on telecom strategy engagements but competes as a broad incumbent rather than a telecom specialist.
• PwC (Telecom, Media & Technology): Big Four professional services network with a dedicated TMT industry practice covering strategy, regulation and transaction advisory for telecom operators. Comparable to Strand on policy and regulatory advisory work but as part of a much broader portfolio.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/strand-consult

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Strand Consult