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,...

The telecom industry stands at a pivotal moment of transformation. As mobile network operators grapple with the challenges of creating new revenue streams, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as an enabler of next-generation capabilities. The recent Juniper Research worldwide market study illuminates how AI is not merely an add-on but increasingly the foundation of transformative cellular network evolution. According to the study, network operators are projected to invest more than $86 billion in developing and deploying AI in their platforms over the next four years. Mobile Network AI Market Development Annual investment is expected to grow from $13.5 billion in 2025 to $21.9 billion by 2029, representing a substantial 62 percent increase. This investment surge is primarily driven by operators' pursuit of zero-touch operations, where human intervention in network management is minimized or eliminated entirely. What's particularly notable is that while AI is being deployed...

As international travel rebounds to pre-pandemic levels in 2025, the mobile communication roaming market is at an inflection point. Emerging technologies and changing customer preferences are challenging traditional wholesale roaming agreements between mobile network operators (MNOs). The global wholesale roaming market is projected to more than double, from $9 billion in 2024 to $20 billion by 2028. This surge will be fueled by the expanding deployment of 5G Standalone (SA) technology, which enables real-time roaming connections and activity monitoring. But beneath this headline figure lies a complex landscape of regional variations and technological mobile service disruptions. Global Mobile Roaming Market Development Western Europe dominates inbound roaming connections, largely thanks to its Roam Like at Home (RLAH) initiative, which eliminates roaming charges among member countries.  Meanwhile, the Indian Subcontinent is emerging as a growth hotspot. Between 2024 and 2029, inbou...

The global Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) and Direct-to-Cell (D2C) markets are poised for growth, driven by unprecedented collaboration between technology giants, satellite operators, and mobile network operators (MNOs). According to the latest worldwide market study, these sectors will collectively generate over $25 billion in revenue by 2035, reshaping connectivity paradigms. This convergence represents a strategic response to the escalating demand for ubiquitous, low-latency wireless connectivity across industries and geographies. Global Connectivity Market Development    The NTN market (encompassing satellite, airborne, and maritime connectivity) and D2C services are converging to create hybrid infrastructure models. By 2035, NTN services alone will account for $15 billion of the total revenue, driven by applications in IoT, emergency communications, and rural broadband. D2C apps enabling satellite-to-smartphone connectivity will grow at 32 percent CAGR to $10 billion by 20...

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 global Information Technology (IT) sector is poised for significant growth and transformation in the coming year, driven by new tech advancements, economic factors, and evolving digital business needs. The latest forecast from Gartner provides valuable insights into the future of IT spending and highlights key areas of opportunity for businesses and technology providers alike. According to the latest market study, worldwide IT spending will reach $5.74 trillion in 2025, a 9.3 percent increase from 2024. This growth rate is noteworthy as a significant acceleration compared to the 7.2 percent increase expected during 2024. Information Technology Market Development The robust 2025 forecast underscores the critical role that technology continues to play in driving business innovation, efficiency, and competitiveness across industries. "Current spending on Generative AI (GenAI) has been predominantly from technology companies building the supply-side infrastructure for GenAI,...

The telecom sector is undertaking an update of its IT infrastructure. As demand for data continues to soar with the proliferation of 5G and new apps, network operators can't rely on their legacy hardware and network architectures. The process of "Cloudification" offers a path to reduce costs, improve efficiency and scalability, plus meet increasingly ambitious infrastructure sustainability goals. According to the latest market study by Juniper Research, cloudification spending by telecom operators will see tremendous growth in the coming years, rising from $26.6 billion in 2024 to $64.9 billion by 2028 -- that's a 144 percent increase in just four years. Telecom Cloud Apps Market Development "Telecom networks are becoming more complex; requiring increasingly automated network management systems. However, operators must insulate mission-critical traffic when reducing power, to guarantee quality of service for enterprises," said Alex Webb, research analyst at ...

In a world increasingly reliant on digital connectivity, the fixed wireless communications market has emerged as a crucial player in enhancing access to high-speed, reliable internet across both densely populated and remote regions. As the global demand for comprehensive connectivity continues to grow, the performance and efficiency of fixed wireless access (FWA) technology have become central to bridging the way we live, work, and communicate online. Fixed Wireless Market Development According to the latest market study by ABI Research , the worldwide FWA subscription base is poised for strong growth, with a forecasted 14 percent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from 2023 to 2029, reaching almost 265 million subscribers by the end of the decade. This trajectory underscores the growing importance of FWA in the telecommunications landscape, as service providers and technology innovators alike strive to deliver connectivity solutions that cater to the evolving needs of both enterprise ...

The global telecommunications market is forecast to reach $900 billion in operator-billed revenue in 2024, according to the latest worldwide market study by Juniper Research. This represents a pivotal juncture for telecom operators as they navigate emerging technologies' challenges and opportunities.  While telecom operators have invested heavily in deploying 5G networks, the study highlights their struggle to effectively monetize widespread 5G adoption among wireless network service subscribers. A key issue has been the inability to command a significant price premium over 4G services, despite the superior performance and capabilities of 5G. This challenge underscores the need for operators to explore new revenue streams beyond traditional mobile services. Telecom Services Market Development As Juniper analysts indicate, a promising avenue for revenue growth lies in the enterprise Internet of Things (IoT) market. With the IoT connectivity revenue market forecasted to expand from $...

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 marketing and sales landscape is evolving rapidly. New business technology is a game-changer, promising to automate tedious tasks and unlock new levels of optimization. But is the market truly ready to embrace this technology? IDC predicts that by 2026, half of medium-sized businesses in the Asia-Pacific region excluding Japan (APEJ) will be using Generative AI (GenAI) based applications to automate and optimize marketing and sales processes. According to their latest worldwide market study, 47 percent of the midmarket segment in APEJ is already either exploring potential use cases or investing in GenAI tools. SMB Generative AI Market Development Also, 43 percent of companies in the midmarket segment anticipate that the technology will have the most impact on commercial marketing applications. Small and Medium-Sized Businesses (SMBs) and midmarket segments in APEJ have taken notice of the GenAI potential to revolutionize workflow in various industries. However, companies ar...

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 ...

5G is quickly becoming the predominant network for mobile communications. In 2023, there will be 1.6 billion 5G connections, with growth forecast to reach 6 billion in 2028. Mobile network roaming connections are anticipated to grow 350 percent over the next five years, with the growing presence of 5G and IoT roaming devices being major driving factors of this growth. To capitalize on this demand, data and financial clearing houses must identify the key drivers, as this will allow them to produce targeted services, optimized to help providers in monetizing these trends. 5G Mobile Roaming Market Development According to the latest worldwide market study by Juniper Research, the average revenue leakage per 5G roaming connection will decrease from $1.72 to $1.20, as mobile network operators leverage artificial intelligence (AI) based solutions.  Mobile service provider revenue leakage refers to the value of services provided but not monetized by the network operator. This reducti...

The evolution of mobile networks has witnessed a shift with the advent of Open RAN (Radio Access Network) solutions. Historically, traditional network architectures were characterized by proprietary, monolithic systems, and limiting flexibility. Open RAN represents a paradigm shift in the mobile sector with an extended and disaggregated approach to network infrastructure. The concept gained momentum as a response to the desire for greater interoperability, vendor diversity, and cost efficiency. This approach enables the decoupling of hardware and software components. Open RAN enables the deployment of adaptable systems that can keep pace with the advancements in wireless technology. Open RAN Market Development  Emerging Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) innovations in Open RAN Massive MIMO (mMIMO) solutions will play a pivotal role in improving performance to match that of traditional RAN mMIMO, according to the latest worldwide market study by ABI Research. Wh...

The total number of roaming connections is anticipated to grow 350 percent over the next five years, with the growing presence of 5G and IoT roaming devices being major driving factors. According to the latest worldwide market study by Juniper Research , growth in global roaming clearing revenues will reach $2.5 billion in 2024. This 30 percent increase will be driven by the rise in 5G roaming connections as mobile service providers continue 5G network expansion. 5G Roaming Market Development For network operators and clearing houses to capitalize on this opportunity, Juniper says they must focus on implementing new technologies and new growth strategies. A major trend is the growth in Internet of Things (IoT) roaming devices, anticipated to reach 595 million globally by 2028. While this brings opportunities, mobile operators see limited revenue per Low Power Wide Area (LPWA) connection. Clearing houses can help by providing highly scalable cloud-based services to handle increasing dat...

Unlike traditional mobile communication ecosystems, an emerging market will be defined by the entrance of a new category of service providers, satellite vendors. These vendors will work with telecom network operators to deploy Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs) that are utilized alongside terrestrial networks. They are a joint development between terrestrial network operators and satellite vendors. In the future, NTNs will integrate directly with satellite-based networks to provide combined connectivity services. 5G Satellite Network Market Development According to the latest worldwide market study by Juniper Research, network operators will generate $17 billion of additional revenue from Third-generation Partnership Project (3GPP) compliant 5G satellite networks between 2024 and 2030. Juniper has urged terrestrial network operators to sign partnerships with Satellite Network Operators (SNOs) which will enable operators to launch monetizable satellite-based 5G services to their subscriber...

The demand for high-performance connectivity is reaching new highs in the 5G wireless era. Annual data traffic from the top 30 countries is forecast to grow from almost 1,100 exabytes in 2022 to over 4,000 exabytes in 2027 -- with 5G making up ~60 percent of total data traffic in 2027. Based on the higher data throughput and lower latency required by 5G networks, backhaul or transport solutions must also adapt to meet the increased requirements needed by advanced cellular technology. While fiber-optic links remain a preferred choice for 5G network backhaul, microwave technology is still seen as a key component in many 5G networks due to its lower deployment costs and ability to be deployed in areas where fiber deployment is difficult. Wireless Backhaul Market Development Additionally, wireless backhaul deployments can also be used to complement fiber backhaul deployments by providing increased resiliency. According to the latest worldwide market study by ABI Research, the total number ...

The modern wearables market began in the 1960s with the development of calculator watches and other electronic devices that could be worn on the body. The market has grown, driven by the increasing popularity of fitness trackers, smartwatches, and other devices that can track our health and fitness, provide notifications, and control our smart home devices. Wearable device demand growth declined to 14.6 percent in 2022 from 27.7 percent year-over-year in 2021 due to the economic slowdown and reduced spending after the peak of the COVID pandemic. Wearables Market Development This trend persisted in the first half of 2023, as longer replacement cycles and a lack of compelling features suppressed demand. The overall wearables market will rebound, reaching 689.33 million shipments by the end of 2028, with a CAGR of 11.3 percent between 2023 and 2028, according to the latest study by ABI Research. In 2023, the wearable market is projected to grow by approximately 10.2 percent, with shipment...

The impact of technology is seen in nearly every industry, and every region of the world. The Global Networked Economy is in a perpetual state of evolution. This creates both challenges and opportunities. Following the COVID-19 global pandemic, the market saw some recovery due to rising demand from remote working and the need for a connected ecosystem. Now there are new overarching issues affecting the global supply chains for many consumer electronics sectors. According to the latest worldwide market study by ABI Research, these conditions have led to weaker demand, but with technical advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Fifth Generation (5G) mobile connectivity, and new form factors, 2023 will be a recovery year for the consumer technology market. Consumer Technology Market Development "In smartphones, the replacement cycle followed by the migration to 5G smartphones and eagerness to embrace new form factors like foldable devices will be the main growth drivers for acce...