Digital Lifescapes

Satellite communications is now driven by Low Earth Orbit (LEO) networks. From once niche technology serving remote outposts, LEO satellites are becoming mainstream — delivering high-speed, low-latency broadband everywhere from city centers to far-flung islands. According to Gartner's latest market study, global spending on LEO satellite communications services will reach $14.8 billion in 2026, marking a 24.5 percent jump in just a single year. LEO Satellites Market Development Unlike traditional geostationary satellites positioned tens of thousands of kilometers above the Earth, LEO satellites orbit at much lower altitudes — typically between 500 and 2,000km. This proximity yields two key advantages for modern communications: 1) Lower latency: Data can travel from ground station to satellite and back much faster, unlocking real-time internet use and interactive applications. 2) Broader coverage and capacity: Large, multiplying constellations can tile the planet, reaching regions w...

In a rapidly evolving wireless communications market, enterprises across industries are seeking secure and reliable connectivity solutions to power their increasingly sophisticated business operations. Private cellular networks have emerged as a compelling answer to these needs, offering dedicated wireless systems that utilize 4G LTE or 5G technology to provide enhanced network features. As an advisor who has worked with numerous organizations on their digital transformation journeys, I've observed how these networks can revolutionize enterprise capabilities, yet adoption has been slower than the potential. Private Cellular Market Development According to Juniper Research's latest market study, private cellular network revenue will reach $21.4 billion by 2030—a substantial increase from $5.5 billion in 2025. This represents a 114 percent growth rate over these five years. What makes this projection particularly noteworthy is the anticipated acceleration in deployment: nearly 3,...

As an independent advisory consultant, I've observed the rapid evolution of connectivity solutions in manufacturing. The recent survey by ABI Research highlights a significant shift towards private cellular networks, an emerging era in industrial digitization. The manufacturing sector is already undergoing a transformation, driven by the need for enhanced operational efficiency, reliability, and scalability. Wireless technology is an enabler. Private cellular networks, particularly 4G and 5G technologies, are at the forefront of this change, reshaping the connectivity landscape in factories and production facilities. Private Cellular Network Market Development The latest worldwide ABI Research survey provides compelling evidence of this trend. The study, which encompassed manufacturer decision-makers reveals some striking stats: 44 percent are already in the early stages of deploying 4G private networks. An impressive 75 percent of manufacturers are considering 5G implementation. 4...

The business technology community is at a critical juncture in 2024. Global market pressures are starting to ease, but persistent geopolitical threats are somewhat hindering progress. As a result, telecom network providers and their customers are under pressure to make strategic near-term decisions to drive positive impact and ROI within their organizations. "The rapid rise of private cellular, huge growth in 5G mMIMO radio deployments, and a big bet on network slicing are just some of the many changes on the horizon of which companies and organizations must be aware to make mid-course corrections or complete roadmaps," said Stuart Carlaw, chief research officer at ABI Research . Mobile Wireless Market Development The total addressable market for private networks, encompassing elements such as the Radio Access Network (RAN), Mobile-access Edge Computing (MEC), the core, and professional services, is poised to grow significantly. Anticipated to surge from $6.1 billion in 2023 ...

The global 5G mobile communications sector continues the remarkable progress across many key markets. As of Q3 2023, the world added 537 million 5G wireless connections, bringing global totals to 1.6 billion, which represents an increase of 71 percent over the past year. This growth trajectory suggests an optimistic outlook for the future of 5G adoption according to 5G Americas, and the latest market data from Omdia research. "The global 5G landscape shows positive momentum as innovation and collaboration continue to be the mainstays for long-term progress," said Chris Pearson, president of 5G Americas . 5G Networks Market Development Looking ahead, Omdia forecasts that the global 5G connection base will likely reach 1.8 billion by the end of 2023 and 7.9 billion by 2028, as 5G-Advanced network improvements are implemented and work towards 6G is completed. While this represents a significant expansion, it is important to note that this growth may not be linear.  Factors such ...

The 5G Core (5GC) mobile network infrastructure is the first to operate solely in the software layer. A new study finds that cloud-native Evolved Packet Core (EPC) functions and 5GC are key drivers for new telecom value creation and growth. With the ongoing adoption of cloud-based packet core networks, it is the first time the telecom industry has relied on the core network to introduce something above and beyond enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB). According to the latest worldwide market study by ABI Research, cloud packet core revenue will grow from $11 billion in 2022 to reach $16 billion in 2027. Telecom Network Cloud Market Development In a modular and increasingly disaggregated ecosystem characterized by vertical and horizontal openness, technology choices for software, hardware, and services that underpin packet core buildouts are fundamental for CSPs to expand existing MBB business and explore new growth opportunities. ABI Research now forecasts that, for MBB, core network applic...

Available Internet access at an affordable cost is essential for everyone to participate in the Global Networked Economy. The deployment of fifth-generation (5G) wireless communications infrastructure is enabling the introduction of lower-cost broadband services in some markets. Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) allows mobile network operators (MNO) to deliver high-speed Internet connections in areas that have either insufficient or no prior wireline broadband access services. It's also used in urban, suburban, and rural areas where fiber optic communication is considered too expensive to install and maintain. With this new technology, MNOs have the potential to provide broadband capability at similar levels to fiber optic networks. Fixed Wireless Access Market Development Therefore, FWA can be used to supplement existing wired broadband Internet service offerings, provide additional broadband capacity, or act as a backup service for home or business applications. Although FWA is well es...

Commercial fleet vehicles are the driving force behind commerce and public mobility. Fleet managers have the important role of organizing and overseeing vehicles for performance, maintenance, and tracking purposes. Telematics solutions collect, store, and analyze data that can be sent to fleet managers. This data helps fleet owners and managers evaluate vehicle maintenance, driver operation, and cargo management. Today's Internet of Things (IoT) technology is transforming fleet management with the ability to connect vehicles and capture a wide range of data about vehicle performance, route, passengers, and cargo. IoT Asset Tracking Market Development According to the latest worldwide market study by Juniper Research , global spending on asset tracking by enterprises will increase from $16 billion in 2022 to reach $45 billion in 2027 -- that's a substantial growth rate of 184 percent. The management and security of high-value assets are becoming of increasingly significant impor...

While 2019 was the year that fifth-generation (5G) wireless services were deployed across the globe, this is just the beginning of the new trend. So far, launches in North America, West Europe and the Middle East created a small base of 5G customers, however, the technology gained significant traction within the Far East and China markets. As a result of strategic foresight by the government, the early launch and fast customer adoption in South Korea clearly drove their 5G deployment leadership. By the end of the year, there were an estimated 4.5 million 5G users in the Far East market, roughly 80 percent of the global total, nearly all of them in South Korea. 5G Network Infrastructure Market Development North America had the second-highest number of connections, reaching an estimated 800,000 users. West Europe is taking a more tentative approach, waiting to see how the technology develops and evolves, while some parts of the world lack the infrastructure to start on 5G for at le...

The mobile internet continues to drive mobile network infrastructure investment. 4G LTE will grow from approximately 30 percent of global mobile subscriptions in 2017 to 50 percent in 2024, according to the latest worldwide study by ABI Research. The most advanced LTE service, Gigabit LTE, is expected to near two million subscriptions globally in 2017, which is less than 5 percent of LTE Advanced Pro subscriptions in 2017. Gigabit LTE devices, launched in 2017, will far exceed the subscription numbers, as few cell sites are expected to reach Gigabit LTE speeds in 2017. Gigabit LTE is a pivotal piece of an advanced 4G mobile network that can support an operator’s mobile service goals over the next six to eight years and beyond. LTE Network Market Development "Gigabit LTE is a specific configuration of the LTE Advanced Pro standard and is expected to account for 70 percent of LTE Advanced Pro subscriptions by 2026," said Prayerna Raina, senior analyst at ABI Research . ...

Wireless communications and mobile internet access over cellular networks continue to be an essential component of next-generation telecommunication system enhancements. While deployments of 4G network technologies are still occurring across the globe, plans are underway for 5G. That being said, 5G deployments indoors and in venues may be delayed by one year or more, when compared to outdoor 5G deployments starting from 2020. ABI Research estimates the global equipment market for in-building wireless -- including active distributed antenna systems (DAS), passive DAS, and repeaters -- will reach close to $10 billion by 2025. 5G Wireless Infrastructure Market Development The overall system revenue in 2025, which includes services and equipment, will grow at a CAGR of 15 percent to reach $19 billion in 2025. Out of this market, 5G in-building wireless equipment will account for $509 million in 2025. "As 5G nears full specification, mobile network operators will face challenge...

Mobile telecom service provider global infrastructure investment in 2016 was not what vendors had anticipated. But there were pockets of growth that in a few key markets where mobile internet demand had fueled local expansion. According to the latest worldwide market study by IHS Markit , during the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2016, the global macrocell mobile infrastructure market totaled $11 billion, rising 7 percent sequentially, driven by strong activity in a few Asian countries such as India, Myanmar and Vietnam. Mobile Infrastructure Market Development On a year-over-year basis, the overall market declined 14 percent, dragged down by all regions -- essentially confirming that the mobile infrastructure market has entered the post-LTE-peak era. 4G LTE was somewhat of a bright spot -- up 6 percent quarter-over-quarter driven by E-UTRAN (evolved UMTS terrestrial radio access networks) -- but down 16 percent year-over-year. 2G or 3G infrastructure spending was up 10 percent seque...

Telecom service providers have been seeking new, less capital-intensive, ways to deliver broadband Internet access to homes. Advances in fixed wireless communications will create opportunities to reach new subscribers. Exponential growth of 4G LTE coverage and capacity is driving wireless service growth for fixed broadband access, while fiber-to-the-home (FTTH), xDSL, and cable technologies reach nearly 50 percent of global households. As the 5G standardization process approaches completion, the technology will significantly accelerate global fixed wireless deployments. The results, so far, from new service tests and trials have been encouraging. Wireless Broadband Market Development ABI Research forecasts worldwide fixed wireless broadband subscribers will grow at a 30 percent CAGR to top 151 million in 2022. "The arrival of 5G technology will completely transform fixed wireless broadband network deployments," said Khin Sandi Lynn, analyst at ABI Research . Recen...

Wireless communications sector continues a global expansion. The broadband 4G LTE market is forecast to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20 percent, from $1.1 billion in 2015 to reach $2.6 billion in 2020, according to the latest worldwide market study by IHS Markit. The total addressable market for private LTE is compounded by increasing revenues from both devices and evolved Node Bs (eNBs) shipped for use on private networks that are based on wireless cellular technology. Demand has increased for data alongside voice communications within a range of applications. The broadband market is opening up to multiple sectors -- such as public safety and security, transportation, military, utilities, industrial and public access mobile radio. Private LTE Market Development Mobile communication users are now requiring high bandwidth solutions to facilitate applications such as video streaming, internet access and advanced mapping use cases. "Broadband-capable tech...

Worldwide smartphone shipments will reach 1.45 billion units, with a year-over-year growth rate of just 0.6 percent in 2016, according to the latest market study by International Data Corporation (IDC). Although growth remains positive, it is down significantly from the 10.4 percent growth rate in 2015. However, 4G smartphones will reach 21.3 percent year-over-year growth globally for 2016, at 1.17 billion units -- that's up from 967 million in 2015. Once again, emerging markets are driving most growth, where only 61 percent of 2015 smartphone shipments were 4G-enabled, compared to the 77 percent in 2016. That being said, mature markets  -- such as USA, Canada, Japan, and Western Europe -- are further along the 4G adoption curve with 85 percent in 2015 and a projected 94 percent in 2016, respectively. Smartphone Market Development Trends "It's been a long slog for 4G uptake in many emerging markets as 4G data tariffs have been very expensive compared to 3G, while 4...

The next generation of wireless communications will apply 5G technologies, and demand for service offerings is evolving slowly. The very first discussions about 5G started in 2012, and in 2013 NTT DoCoMo considered the possibility of deploying 5G in time for the Tokyo Olympics in 2020. Soon after, South Korea set the target for 5G pre-standard national service -- in reality, a 4.5G offering -- for the PyeongChang Winter Olympics in 2018.  Since then, 5G R&D developments have occurred in China, Europe and Japan -- fueling the hype to a level never seen for 3G and 4G. Moreover, Verizon announced last year at the CTIA show that it has a progressive 5G plan -- with first commercial deployments anticipated in 2017. 5G Service Market Development According to the latest worldwide study by IHS Markit , 5G will come in two waves: first, sub-6GHz in 2017, followed by the real 5G at higher spectrum bands in 2020. Sub-6GHz spectrum is not new: it’s where existing wireless communica...

Mobile network operators are investing in infrastructure that enables the delivery of Internet of Things (IoT) service offerings. They're also establishing relationships with leading technology vendor partners -- to create a viable ecosystem that will attract software application developers. Cellular machine-to-machine (M2M) connections will reach 733 million globally by 2021, according to the latest worldwide study by Ovum. Moreover, they also have forecast that total cellular M2M service revenues will reach a global annual total of $67 billion in 2021. Ongoing M2M Market Development The greatest revenue contributions will come from three key regions across the globe -- Asia-Pacific ($22 billion), North America ($16 billion) and Western Europe ($14 billion). Many wireless service providers will maximize their revenue opportunity by extending beyond connectivity, therefore Ovum also includes the proportion of revenue from the M2M service layers. Their forecast has identifie...

Wireless technology vendors are preparing for the fifth generation (5G) of mobile communication services. The latest worldwide survey by IHS Markit assessed 5G technologies, market trends and mobile network operator plans for deploying the required infrastructure. 54 percent of the IHS Markit survey respondents see 5G as evolutionary to 4G -- meaning, it's an extension of current Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced and LTE‑Advanced Pro. However, the rest of the survey respondents think 5G is revolutionary, moving away from cellular and requiring a brand new architecture. Meanwhile, three-quarters of respondents believe that 5G should be codependent with LTE and LTE-Advanced, which suggests the evolutionary camp should have garnered a larger lead. 5G and The Internet of Things A variety of industries will drive new Internet of Things (IoT) related applications, and consequently 5G networks should be designed to enable vast IoT device connectivity. This explains why IoT w...

While the majority of mobile network service providers around the globe are busy with their 4G LTE deployments, forward-looking vendors are already positioning the fifth-generation (5G) technologies. In the past, cellular wireless networks were viewed primarily as voice communication and mobile internet access enablers. Today, that vision is evolving. 451 Research believes that 5G will have a catalytic effect on a wide range of IT technology and services, impacting almost all parts of industry and society far beyond mobile technologies and business models. 451 recommends that any IT supplier that is touched by the mobile ecosystem, the Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing services, consumer electronics or automation needs to assess the coming impact of 5G technologies. "IT players need to think about IoT now and 5G soon," said Ken Rehbehn, principal analyst, mobile telecom, at 451 Research . "Whether it is real-time analytics, data center design, location-base...

According to the latest market study by Technology Business Research (TBR), most of the growth for telecom vendors is coming from China during the third quarter of 2015 (3Q15), where network operators are deploying 4G LTE, optical fiber, fixed-access and IP equipment. More growth is also coming from infrastructure deployment in India, where there is selective 4G LTE investment as well as 3G mobile network build-outs and managed services deals. This Capex spend is fueling growth for vendors entrenched firmly in those markets -- particularly Huawei and ZTE in China, and Ericsson in India. "LTE investment in China continued to drive Huawei's peer-leading telecom revenue as well as strong growth for ZTE,” said Michael Soper, telecom analyst at TBR . Outside of China, network operator spending is variable, reflecting the impact of post-peak LTE spend in North America, Japan and South Korea and economic issues in certain emerging markets, such as the Caribbean and Latin Americ...