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...

The evolution of network APIs is one of the telecom sector’s most compelling growth opportunities. Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) have long connected disparate systems, but within telecommunications, their transformation holds a pivotal role in ushering networks from siloed infrastructure toward open, programmable platforms. Juniper Research’s latest market study underscores how global network operators can unlock new applications, reshaping digital connectivity and enterprise innovation. Network API Market Development Historically, telecommunication networks have operated under a closed model, restricting third-party access and fostering complexity for developers. The new paradigm, supported by initiatives such as GSMA Open Gateway and CAMARA, is shifting the narrative. Operators are now embracing standardized APIs, allowing developers to integrate advanced network capabilities directly into their applications, bypassing proprietary barriers and unlocking greater innovative...

The industrial sector is on the eve of a wireless transformation, driven by an urgent demand for greater network capacity, reliability, and deterministic performance. Historically, manufacturers and mission-critical operations have relied on wired networks — favoring their predictability — because spectrum congestion in legacy 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands limited confidence in wireless for operational technology (OT) environments. However, with the introduction and rapid adoption of the 6GHz spectrum, compounded by significant advances in Wi-Fi standards, industrial facilities are now poised to embrace wireless LANs as the backbone for automation and digital innovation. Industrial WLAN Market Development Recent research from ABI Research forecasts that over 70 percent of industrial-grade wireless LAN access points (WLAN APs) shipped in 2030 will support the 6GHz band. This is a leap from 2 percent in 2023, highlighting a rapid and profound technological shift. The market for ruggedized indust...

There is a pivotal shift within the global smartphone market. Recent data from IDC highlights a more cautious outlook for 2025, with projected worldwide smartphone shipments seeing a significantly reduced growth rate. This revised forecast underscores the intricate interplay of global economic factors and geopolitical dynamics on pervasive personal communication devices. IDC's latest update projects a mere 0.6 percent growth in worldwide smartphone shipments for 2025, a stark reduction from the earlier 2.3 percent expectation. Global Smartphone Market Development This recalibration is largely attributed to prevailing economic uncertainties, including inflationary pressures and rising unemployment, alongside the persistent specter of tariff volatility. Despite these global tensions, it's interesting to note that the United States and China are still identified as the primary drivers of this modest growth. China, a critical market, is forecast to achieve a 3 percent year-over-yea...

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...

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 Internet of Things (IoT) is transforming industries by enabling vast networks of devices to collect and share data. This data empowers businesses to optimize operations, gain deeper insights into customers, plus develop new products and services. However, a significant hurdle to IoT adoption lies in the limitations of terrestrial networks. Cellular and Wi-Fi connectivity often falter in remote locations, hindering the potential of IoT in these areas. This is where satellite IoT steps in, offering a compelling solution for connecting devices in geographically isolated or underserved regions. Satellite IoT Market Development According to the latest worldwide market study by ABI Research, the Satellite IoT market is expected to reach a value of $4 billion by 2030. This forecast growth surge is driven by: Reduced Launch Costs: The space industry is witnessing a dramatic decrease in launch costs due to advancements in reusable rockets and launcher technologies. This makes it more cost-e...

The Internet of Things (IoT) continues to expand. According to the latest worldwide market study by Juniper Research, they forecast a 90 percent growth in cellular IoT devices by 2028, with the global number reaching 6.5 billion. This exponential rise presents both exciting opportunities and significant challenges. While the growth of cellular IoT unlocks a vast potential for innovation in smart cities, industrial automation, and remote monitoring, it also requires device management and security advancements. Cellular IoT Market Development Juniper's research highlights the critical role of intelligent infrastructure management solutions. These platforms will empower the users to automate critical tasks such as device configuration, real-time security management, and optimized wireless connectivity. The surge in cellular data usage, projected to reach 46 petabytes by 2028 compared to 21 petabytes today, further underscores the need for automation. This is where federated learning i...

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 ...

Wireless communication networking continues to evolve. More enterprise IT organizations are envisioning new applications that empower frontline and corporate employees to streamline mobile workflow. A public cellular network relies on shared infrastructure and resources which are utilized by numerous other subscribers. In contrast, private cellular networks are prevalent among businesses aiming to increase privacy, safety and control over a network used exclusively by their employees and guests. Private Wireless Network Market Development   According to the latest market study by Juniper Research , enterprise spend on private networks will near $10 billion globally by 2028 -- that's rising from $1 billion in 2023. Growing by 722 percent, the three vertical industries driving the market were identified as: Manufacturing (35 percent), Energy (20 percent), and Public Services (16 percent). The need for private networks that can support high device densities and operate over large geo...

The mobile devices market has experienced three years of unpredictable demand. The global pandemic, geopolitical pressures, supply chain issues, and macroeconomic headwinds have hindered the sector's consistent growth potential. This extremely challenging environment has dramatically affected both demand and supply chains. It has led to subsequent inflationary pressures, leading to a worsening global cost of living crisis suppressing growth and confidence in the sector. In tandem, mobile device industry stakeholders have become more cautious triggering market uncertainties. Mobile Device Market Development Operating under such a backdrop, the development of mobile device ecosystems and vendor landscapes have been impacted severely. Many of these market pressures persisted throughout 2022 and now into 2023, borne chiefly by the smartphone market. According to the latest worldwide market study by ABI Research, worldwide smartphone shipments in 2022 declined 9.6 percent Year-over-Year...

Wireless communication solutions in the enterprise continue to gain momentum from new technologies and associated software applications. Across all industries and geographies, the demand has increased substantially over the last couple of years. Meanwhile, the Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) market is growing in complexity with the new Wi-Fi standards, 6 GHz spectrum availability, Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity integration, disruptive business models, and more value-added services. Enterprise WLAN Market Development Furthermore, the evolution of cellular and WLAN technologies is pushing CIOs and CTOs to consider deploying heterogeneous Wi-Fi + 5G networks that can optimize performance, cost, reliability, and enable new use cases fundamental to digital transformation. These market dynamics and innovative solutions can drive enterprise WLAN infrastructure revenues to reach $14.5 billion by 2028, according to the latest worldwide market study by ABI Research. ABI analysts will n...

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...

The global enterprise wireless networking market is evolving. Driven by a desire to take advantage of the available 6 GHz communications spectrum, with greatly improved broadband throughput and latency rates, more organizations may choose to adopt Wi-Fi 6E technologies. According to the latest worldwide market study by ABI Research, shipments of Wi-Fi 6E access points and routers will rise from 1.5 million units in 2022 to 5.2 million units by 2024. Wireless spectrum expansion is just one facet of the commercial wireless network market transition, as the technology of Wi-Fi customer premise equipment will be upgraded once again with Wi-Fi 7 (IEEE 802.11be standard) devices. Enterprise Wireless Network Market Development "The adoption of Wi-Fi 7 access points will accelerate following the protocols standardization in 2024, and just two years later, most 6 GHz enabled access point shipments will be supporting Wi-Fi 7," said Andrew Spivey, industry analyst at ABI Research . Anot...

New wireless network technology is already a fundamental component of every enterprise CIO or CTO agenda in 2022. However, IT vendors and telecom providers must assess the broader enterprise connectivity technology landscape in order to determine where private cellular networks will add value. According to the latest worldwide market study by ABI Research, the overall market for private cellular networks within enterprise industry verticals will reach $109 billion by 2030. This includes radio access network (RAN), edge networks, core network deployments, as well as vendor professional services revenues, which alone will contribute $47 billion (44 percent) to the overall market size in 2030. Private Cellular Network Market Development "These numbers essentially tell two stories," said Leo Gergs, senior analyst at ABI Research . "The first is that they illustrate the immense opportunity for cellular connectivity within enterprise verticals. The second is that the high perc...

Today's cellular Internet of Things (IoT) services enable an upside opportunity for mobile network operators to leverage their infrastructure for a new revenue stream. This is most likely with 5G service launches, which were featured at MWC this week. According to the latest worldwide market study by Juniper Research, the global value of the cellular IoT market will reach $61 billion by 2026 -- that's rising from $31 billion in 2022. 5G IoT Apps Market Development The Juniper study identified the growth of 5G infrastructure and cellular Low-Power Wide Area (LPWA) technologies as key to this 95 percent increase in growth over the next four years. The new study findings also expect carrier billing spend on content bundling to enable operators to further recoup investments into 5G by charging a premium to facilitate high-quality digital video and online game streaming over 5G cellular networks. According to the Juniper assessment, in order to pursue this new opportunity, mobile ne...

The adoption of fifth-generation (5G) wireless technology apps will create demand for new categories of software and related services. Topping that list of requirements is securing connections and devices from cyber threats. ABI Research forecasts that by 2026, Internet of Things (IoT) cellular wireless network connections will number more than 3 billion -- with 4G LTE and LPWA networks bearing most of these connections -- driving the $8 billion market for IoT security services. IT Security Services Market Development The opportunity to deliver secure IoT communications on these networks will be key to the successful deployment of connected things on a global scale, and for the eventual transition to 5G New Radio (NR). According to the ABI assessment, the security industry is amid significant new technology developments to provide secure cellular connectivity solutions to IoT stakeholders across the board. With the emergence of new cellular standards such as NB-IoT, LTE-M and 5G MMTC, ...

Both telecom service providers and large enterprises from different vertical industries are driving significant growth of private mobile network deployments within Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, and Singapore, according to the latest market study by ABI Research. Together they will create a $7 billion market opportunity by 2025 within the Asia-Pacific region -- accounting for more than 65 percent of global private network revenues. By 2030, developed markets in North America and Europe will account for more than $16 billion -- representing 25 percent of global private network revenues. "These findings show the great regional variability that we see for private network deployments," said Leo Gergs, research analyst at ABI Research . Private Mobile Networks Market Development Two primary factors are creating the drive for private networks. One, a rising number of national spectrum liberalization initiatives are allowing enterprises access to licensed mobile ...

Enterprise decision-makers are seeking to identify the best deployment models for a trial private cellular wireless network initiative. Many of the CIOs and CTOs at progressive companies and forward-looking public sector agencies are already defining requirements for fifth-generation (5G) infrastructure investments. With 5G deployments proliferating, the importance of network slicing for the enterprise domain is set to grow. According to the latest worldwide market study by ABI Research, the demand for 5G slicing will be propelled primarily by heavy industry verticals. Industrial manufacturing, cellular vehicle-to-everything (C-V2X), and logistics alone will potentially generate cumulative revenues of $12 billion by 2026, representing a significant portion of an overall 5G slicing market that will likely exceed the $20 billion mark. 5G Network Slicing Market Development Much of the upside growth discussion at present focuses on how various industry verticals can alleviate the operation...