Digital Lifescapes

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...

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 ...

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...

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 ...

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 ...

The success of Wi-Fi 6 isn't a foregone conclusion. There's growing interest among CIOs and CTOs in strategic applications for fifth-generation (5G) network deployment with unlicensed and shared spectrum in both the consumer and the enterprise Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) markets.  Distributed Antenna Systems (DASs) have become a vital component for in-building wireless cellular communication coverage, especially in the U.S. and Asian markets. However, many legacy DASs are facing challenges incorporating 5G and increasing the overall capacity of the systems. To overcome these challenges, many Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) are starting to transition from traditional in-building DASs to 5G-Ready digital Distributed Radio Systems (DRS) due to technical and financial aspects and a smooth transition to 5G networks. Wireless Infrastructure Market Development According to the latest worldwide market study by ABI Research, worldwide revenue for DASs will grow approx. 2.7 times...

Forward-thinking wireless communications policy is essential to every nation's plan to fully participate in the rapidly expanding Global Networked Economy. Faster, more reliable, more efficient, and more widespread Wi-Fi coverage is becoming increasingly vital to progress. Wi-Fi-enabled devices will increase from 3.3 billion annual unit shipments in 2019 to more than 4.6 billion by 2024, a growth that underscores the need for a more robust Wi-Fi network, according to the latest worldwide market study by ABI Research. While the growing reach of Wi-Fi will be driven by several advancements -- such as Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi’s expansion into the 60 Gigahertz (GHz) and sub-1 GHz bands through WiGig and HaLow -- the most exciting change is the anticipated availability of 6 GHz spectrum over the next few years. Wi-Fi Innovation Market Development “It is hard to overstate the potential that 6 GHz and Wi-Fi 6E can bring to Wi-Fi networks,” says Andrew Zignani, principal analyst at ABI Re...

Unlicensed wireless communication has transformed internet access across the globe. The upward growth trajectory continues to rise for Wi-Fi applications. More than 20 billion Wi-Fi devices are forecast to ship between 2019 and 2024, according to the latest worldwide market study by ABI Research. Continued adoption in traditional markets of strength, alongside traction in mesh networking systems, smart home, automotive, and IoT applications will drive the Wi-Fi market forward to nearly 4 billion annual device shipments by 2024. Wi-Fi Device Market Development "2019 marks the 20th anniversary of Wi-Fi, though the technology shows no signs of slowing down," says Andrew Zignani, principal analyst at ABI Research . "Wi-Fi 6 is quickly gaining momentum in networking devices, while client devices are already arriving into the market and are anticipated to ramp up considerably over the next 12-18 months." According to the ABI assessment, demand for faster, more r...

While some mobile network service providers have yet to deploy 4G cell-based infrastructure, the global leaders are starting to plan for the next-generation of wireless communications. The mobile internet will become increasingly important to fueling economic growth, resulting in a new wave of market development. The concept of 5G services have yet to be fully-defined. Nevertheless, Juniper Research has forecast the rapid adoption for 5G mobile technologies starting in 2025, with active connections representing a threefold increase from 2024 to reach 240 million potential subscribers. However, this 5G deployment will likely represent a very limited global reach -- initially accounting for approximately just 3 percent of all mobile connections across the globe. Juniper found that the many advantages of 5G -- such as higher data rates, longer battery life, greater user/device support, and reduced latency -- should result in an ideal environment for the proliferation of new mobile i...

Mobile communication network infrastructure is a proven catalyst for economic growth. Therefore, more nations have assigned and auctioned radio spectrum to accommodate anticipated traffic that results from increasing mobile internet usage. 4G LTE-Advanced networks have been actively deployed around the world, according to the latest global market study by ABI Research. At the end of 2014, LTE-Advanced covered its first 100 million people worldwide -- that's just 4 years since the network technology inception. ABI Research predicts that the coverage will reach 1 billion mobile subscribers in 4 more years. At the end of 2014, there were 49 commercially available LTE-Advanced networks around the world. Western European operators lead the commercialization with 20 operators, followed by 13 in Asia-Pacific; however, North America still commands the largest population coverage at 7.8 percent. "All four major operators of the United States have either commercially deployed ...

4G Americas reports that LTE has now been commercially launched on 200 mobile networks worldwide in 78 countries and that number is expected to grow to 250 networks by the end of 2013. The surge in LTE deployments will result in more than 100 new LTE networks launched in 2013 alone. Additionally, the evolution of LTE to LTE-Advanced has been commercially launched on two networks to date. Some analysts expect numerous LTE-Advanced networks to be launched by the end of this year as mobile network operators deploy one or more of the enhanced features of the standard. “Telia Sonera, in Norway and Sweden, was the first mobile network operator to commercially launch LTE in December 2009 and today the groundswell of commercial deployments continues as government regulators allocate and auction new spectrum," said Chris Pearson, president of 4G Americas . Carrier Aggregation appears to be a very popular feature for operators deploying LTE-Advanced, as it provides the capability to...

​The adoption of mobile internet access across the globe is a phenomenal success story for the telecommunications sector. Global mobile data traffic expanded by 69 percent in 2012 and is anticipated to grow by 72 percent in 2013 -- to reach 23,000 Peta Bytes. Mobile internet usage will continue to skyrocket. By 2018 total mobile data traffic will likely eclipse 131,000 Peta Bytes, according to the latest market study by ABI Research. "There has been much doom-mongering about this growth in mobile data traffic but mobile carriers should not panic just yet. There are indications that mobile carriers have a number of options to handle the traffic loads," said Jake Saunders, VP and practice director for core forecasting at ABI Research . Based on extensive research for the resulting report on this topic, ABI has detailed the strategic options mobile service providers can place at their disposal to manage the expanding mobile data traffic outlook. Radio Access Technology O...

LTE-capable mobile communication networks will continue to mushroom around the globe through 2018, according to the latest market study by ABI Research. In particular, frequency-division duplex (FDD) networks will see their population coverage expanding at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 33 percent between 2012 and 2018 -- reaching 57 percent penetration. Time-division duplex (TDD) networks will gain ground at a more rapid rate of 43 percent during this period, but will only reach 52 percent population coverage due to the fewer licensed markets currently available. This overall picture is consistent with the network equipment contracts awarded to vendors thus far this year. Slightly more than half of the contracts concluded are related to LTE-FDD. "However, LTE-TDD will start to close the gap," said Ying Kang Tan, research associate at ABI Research . Dual-mode device chip-sets supporting both variants as well as converged FDD/TDD network solutions are alread...

The spending on Long-Term Evolution (LTE) mobile network base stations will reach $12.3 billion in 2013, as service providers around the world update their infrastructure to fourth-generation wireless technology. Membership is not exclusive to the developed economies as emerging markets close the digital divide by aggressive network roll-out. Some of these emerging market LTE deployments are government-sponsored initiatives, as in Rwanda, while others are private ventures, as in Sri Lanka. 4G LTE has helped to reverse the downward trend in RAN expenditure in Western Europe last year and will do the same in Eastern Europe, Latin America, and Middle East in 2013 and Africa in 2014. "There are, however, differences in the type of capital expenditure (CapEx) incurred in different regions," said Ying Kang Tan, research associate at ABI Research . Operators in the developed markets are already taking steps to upgrade their networks to LTE-Advanced this year. Going forwa...

Infonetics Research released excerpts of the findings that resulted from its latest global market study, which analyzed wireless communications radio frequency spectrum allocation and needs in the world’s top economies. “Seven years ago the International Telecommunication Union predicted the world would need twice as much radio frequency spectrum as is allocated now, and that was even before the advent of the data-hungry Apple iPhone," said Stéphane Téral, principal analyst at Infonetics Research . But if the ITU forecast had held true, all mobile communications networks with significant broadband usage would have crashed by now.Clearly, that prediction never came to pass. So, what happened? HSPA+ and LTE are two of the primary reasons why mobile network operators have been able to squeeze more and more capacity out of their limited spectrum allocation. HSPA/HSPA+ and LTE improve spectral efficiency so significantly that the need for spectrum has been greatly reduced -- of...

The market for fourth-generation (4G) wireless devices continues to shift and evolve, as expectations are being reset and planned network upgrade deployments proceed slowly. Shipments of 4G smartphones are now expected to grow from 4.6 million in 2010 to 245 million in 2016. LTE smartphone shipments will surpass WiMAX smartphones in 2011 -- growing at a 72 percent CAGR over the forecast period. Michael Morgan, senior mobile devices analyst at ABI Research , says, “Nearly all of the world’s mobile operators, including the largest, are supporting LTE. It is an important driver for the LTE ecosystem that dwarfs any other drivers of 4G in general or of WiMAX and LTE, specifically.” 4G smartphones are emerging as the next major platform opportunity for mobile operators, device OEMs, IC vendors, network equipment vendors, and content companies. Despite the growing number of 4G-capable device segments, smartphones will remain the largest and most important device segment for in...

The 3GPP family of technologies, which includes LTE, continue to lead the mobile broadband wireless industry in the Americas -- adding 50 million new subscriptions in 2010 and reaching a total of over 116 million UMTS-HSPA connections at the end of the year. According to the latest market study by Informa Telecoms & Media, with the addition of more than 80 million new connections in 2010, GSM-HSPA has widened its leadership margin in market share securing its position as the umber one technology in the Americas region. The market share for GSM-HSPA mobile connections in Latin America and the Caribbean reached 94 percent, adding 66 million new connections in 2010. Of those new connections in the region, 22 million or one-third of all new connections were UMTS-HSPA mobile broadband. "The availability of wireless services in Latin America and the Caribbean has already reached 96 percent penetration and data has grown 14 times faster than basic voice services during 2010, ...