Digital Lifescapes

The satellite communications industry is experiencing a transformative moment. What was once the exclusive domain of government agencies and deep-pocketed corporations is rapidly becoming accessible to everyone. This democratization of space-based connectivity represents a significant technological achievement and a fundamental shift in our understanding of global communications infrastructure. The dramatic acceleration in satellite system deployment tells a compelling story. Satellite Broadband Market Development With over 160 launches recorded by August 2025 alone, we're witnessing an unprecedented build-out of orbital infrastructure. This surge is driven by three converging factors:  Plummeting launch costs through reusable rocket technology, the miniaturization of satellites enabling bulk launches, and intensifying commercial competition among private companies and nations alike. The result is a space ecosystem that looks radically different from even a decade ago, with approxi...

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...

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...

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 ...

Broadband internet access is an essential enabler of the Global Networked Economy. National, regional, and local government economic development efforts are being supported by new telecom service provider investment in modern infrastructure. The upside growth opportunities in urban and rural areas could be significant, based on recent market research findings. 5G Cellular Services Market Development 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) allows Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to provide Quality of Service (QoS) offerings with higher speeds and unlimited data, creating a demand for 5G FWA, which will continue to grow over the next few years. According to the latest worldwide market study by ABI Research, 5G FWA subscriptions will reach 72 million by 2027, representing 35 percent of the total FWA market in 2027. Although LTE FWA services have already been widely deployed worldwide, they often cannot provide the speed needed to compete with wired broadband connections. 5G FWA is set to offer data...

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...

The fifth-generation (5G) wireless cellular technologies are being deployed by mobile network operators. 5G is enabling use cases in business sectors such as healthcare, automotive industries, smart cities, and mobile broadband. Juniper Research anticipates that over 64 percent of global 5G connections will be in the Far East and China. This is due to the early launches in South Korea by all Tier-1 network operators, which were followed by significant launches of commercial 5G networks in China.  5G-based Wireless Market Development According to the latest worldwide market study by Juniper Research, mobile network operator‑billed 5G service revenue will reach $315 billion in 2023 -- that's rising from $195 billion in 2022. This represents growth of over 60 percent in a single year. The study findings predict this increase in revenue will be driven by the accelerating migration of cellular subscriptions to 5G networks. This is due to network operator strategies that minimize or remo...

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...

Many nations across the globe are eager to welcome additional, readily available and competitively priced, broadband internet access services. The Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) market is expanding to fulfill the demand for high-speed broadband connectivity for both business and consumer segments. Fifth-generation (5G) FWA, a powerful platform providing an alternative broadband service offering, will be accelerating the FWA market. According to the latest worldwide market study by ABI Research, the FWA market will exceed 180 million subscriptions and generate $70 billion in revenue in 2026. The 5G FWA market will then account for 40 percent of the total global FWA market. 5G Wireless Broadband Market Development Since 5G deployments continue to accelerate, operators are taking advantage of the 5G technology to provide high-capacity FWA services. High-speed and low latency supported by 5G networks enable providers to offer an attractive alternative to fixed broadband services in the areas ...

Nothing can stop the continued growth of global wireless communications. Despite a slight decline in the worldwide mobile subscriber base resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, mobile network operators across different markets continue to expand fifth-generation (5G) infrastructure deployments. By the end of 2020, 264 million subscriptions were achieved. According to the worldwide market study by ABI Research, the 5G market will continue to accelerate and reach 2.6 billion subscriptions -- that's a significant contribution to mobile network operator revenue of $942 billion in 2026. 5G Wireless Network Market Development Driven by the investment of local network operators, China is a leader of the 5G market, holding more than two-thirds of worldwide 5G subscriptions at present. The United States is second in 5G adoption with more than 50 million subscribers, followed by the leading markets in Japan and South Korea. "Operators' effort to expand 5G networks, combined with qui...

Fifth-generation (5G) wireless cellular technology is now being deployed by mobile network operators across the globe. Previous generations were developed with a consumer-oriented mobility focus. In contrast, 5G will enable numerous commercial use cases in the enterprise via fixed broadband access. 5G networks will also deliver high bandwidth and low latency data infrastructure for the next generation of mobile communications and developments in the Internet of Things (IoT) -- including applications like smart cities and autonomous vehicles. 5G Network Market Development According to the latest worldwide market study by Juniper Research, the total number of 5G connections will reach 3.2 billion by 2026 -- that's rising from 310 million in 2021. To maximize the potential of this significant growth in connections, Juniper predicts that mobile network operators will accelerate investment into standalone 5G networks to best position their services and manage future capacity. Standalone...

High-speed internet access from home is essential to participate in the Global Networked Economy. The worldwide residential broadband service market reached a subscriber base of over 1.1 billion users in 2020 -- that's a 4 percent increase from the previous year. Clearly, the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated demand for broadband connectivity. The need for high-capacity residential broadband will remain, even post-pandemic. According to the latest worldwide market study by ABI Research, 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) will be the fastest-growing residential broadband segment to increase at a CAGR of 71 percent, exceeding 58 million subscribers in 2026. Remote working, online learning, and virtual healthcare created new demand for high-speed broadband throughout 2020. The significant increase in the use of internet-based entertainment services also prompted broadband users to upgrade, while more households without broadband access subscribed for the first time. Residential Broadband Serv...

As demand for broadband internet access increases, many providers focus on infrastructure upgrades. Deployment of technology solutions that support a better broadband user experience is becoming critical for tier-one telecom network service providers to achieve revenue growth. Smart Wi-Fi and Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) are becoming among the key solutions to enhance existing broadband services and support fiber-like broadband in underserved markets without installing last-mile fiber connectivity. According to the latest worldwide market study by ABI Research, smart Wi-Fi and FWA deployments will drive Wi-Fi mesh and 5G FWA Consumer Premise Equipment (CPE) unit shipments to reach 40.6 million and 14.6 million units respectively in 2025. Wireless Internet Access Market Development Despite the network operators’ efforts to provide higher-speed broadband services, investment in infrastructure upgrades alone is no longer enough for a better user experience. As the number of connected devic...

In today's economy, broadband internet access is an essential enabler for users of online government services and active participants of commercial eCommerce applications. While people in most urban settings may have access to affordable offerings, that's typically not true for many rural residents. There's a significant need in most remote locations for high-speed internet connectivity. Demand for internet access via broadband services over both fixed and mobile networks has increased dramatically. Yet, despite telecom network expansions and upgrades, it's estimated that only half of the households worldwide currently have access to fixed broadband services. With the rollout of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellations, satellite broadband services could improve broadband penetration. According to the latest market study by ABI Research, the satellite broadband market will reach 3.5 million subscribers in 2021 -- growing at a CAGR of 8 percent to reach 5.2 million users in ...

Fixed wireless broadband communication services based on Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology have been deployed globally, focused on areas with a poor wireline network infrastructure. Now, 5G wireless technology could open more opportunities for the fixed wireless broadband segment. As mobile network operators continue to deploy 5G network infrastructure, the commercial launch of 5G fixed wireless broadband services will accelerate in the next few years. This will ultimately drive the 5G fixed wireless Consumer Premise Equipment (CPE) market. ABI Research forecasts that shipments of 5G fixed wireless broadband CPE will reach more than 2 million units in 2020. 5G Broadband Market Development 5G fixed wireless access (FWA) delivers several benefits to both telecom network operators and consumers. The deployment of 5G fixed wireless broadband networks in place of last-mile fiber connectivity will save costs and time to install fiber-optic lines while providing Gigabit capacity b...

The deployment of new communications technology could disrupt parts of the traditional broadband marketplace. According to the latest study by International Data Corporation (IDC), that's a key finding from their assessment of the worldwide 5G wireless network infrastructure market. It follows the release of IDC's initial forecasts for Telecom Virtual Network Functions (VNF) and Network Functions Virtualization Infrastructure (NFVI). 5G Wireless Market Development With the first instances of 5G services rolling out in the fourth quarter of 2018, 2019 is set to be a seminal year in the mobile telecommunications industry. Moreover, 5G smartphones will begin to reach the market and end-users will be able to experience 5G technology benefits firsthand. From an infrastructure standpoint, the mobile telecom industry continues to trial innovative solutions that leverage new spectrum, network virtualization, and machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) to create n...

Home-based healthcare options have exploded since the availability of internet access has become pervasive. Moreover, as healthcare shifts from reactive to proactive patient care, a huge market is ready for automation products that can help deliver health and wellness services through smart home solutions. The ubiquity of broadband connectivity, development of smart sensors, and the decreasing costs of devices have already made it possible to offer aging-in-place, chronic disease management, and post-acute care services in smart homes. Smart Healthcare Market Development However, digital health vendors are striving to take telehealth to the next level by developing solutions that will allow caregivers to check on the health of all the residents of the house, not just the patient's, monitor diet and nutrition, the environment, and overall wellness, and be integrable with existing and newer systems. "Patients are conscious of their health quotient and want to be involved...

Across the globe, most wireline service providers operate in a monopoly or duopoly environment where competition is limited and somewhat predictable. The prior limitations of wireless broadband internet access have not impacted the wireline status-quo. That could change. The worldwide fixed wireless broadband access market has been growing steadily over the past several years. ABI Research now forecasts that the market will grow by 30 percent in 2018 and will generate $18 billion in service revenue. That being said, let's explore the market dynamics. Wireless Broadband Market Development As 5G fixed wireless broadband access is about to be launched in North America during 2018, it's likely to expand and provide some telecom service provider customers with better quality service in the years to come. Today, LTE is the most widely used technology to provide fixed wireless broadband service across the world. Fixed LTE is mainly deployed for residential broadband service in...

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...