Mobile Radio Access Network (RAN)

Dell’Oro Group’s Mobile Radio Access Network (RAN) research tracks the global market across technologies, architectures, and deployment models. While RAN is not a growth market—expanding at just 1 percent CAGR between 2000 and 2025—revenues fluctuate significantly with new spectrum and technology cycles. The research examines how 5G coverage, slowing mobile data traffic growth, and future technology transitions will shape the market.

Research scope

The research combines quarterly market tracking with long-term forecasting to quantify RAN revenue, shipment trends, and vendor positioning across technologies, architectures, and regions.

Analysis is structured across multiple dimensions—technology (e.g., LTE, 5G NR, Massive MIMO), deployment model (macro, small cell, Cloud RAN), and spectrum bands (Sub-7 GHz and mmWave)—to assess how operator investment priorities are shifting.

Why it matters

RAN growth is expected to remain muted, but innovation will remain elevated. As 5G coverage improves and mobile data traffic growth moderates, the focus is shifting towards network performance/differentiation, TCO optimization, and long-term positioning for new opportunities in the AI/6G era.

For Vendors:
RAN is not a growth market. Suppliers who can help operators manage costs and risks across known and emerging use cases will likely stand out.
For Operators:
The investment focus varies depending on the state of the network and the ability to monetize beyond basic MBB, requiring a balance between near-term capex discipline and long-term network evolution.
For Investors:
A low-growth market places emphasis on technology transitions, vendor positioning, and timing of recovery cycles rather than overall market expansion.

Critical questions

To address ongoing changes both from a supply and demand perspective, component manufacturers, equipment vendors, service providers, and financial institutions need to answer critical business questions including:

◼ 01
What is the current state of 5G and the broader RAN market?
◼ 02
How are vendor dynamics evolving across the key regions?
◼ 03
How will RAN investments change over the short-term and long-term?
◼ 04
Should we expect that new use cases/opportunities will comprise a significant share of RAN going forward?

Request a sample report

Evaluate the research trusted across global infrastructure markets.

Report Coverage

◼ Quarterly Reports

Dell’Oro Group publishes RAN quarterly reports containing in-depth market-level and/or detailed vendor market share information on the following RAN markets:

  • Segments: GSM, CDMA, WCDMA, LTE, 5GNR, Sub 7 GHz 5G NR, Millimeter Wave 5G NR, Massive MIMO, Macro BTS, Small Cell, Cloud RAN
  • Regions: North America, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Asia Pacific, China and CALA (Caribbean and Latin America)
◼ 5-Year Forecast

Dell’Oro Group publishes RAN 5-year forecasts offering a complete overview of the market with historical data from 2000 to the present. The forecasts provide a comprehensive overview of market trends and include tables covering revenue, shipments, and regional forecasts for various RAN segments:

  • Segments: 6G, GSM, CDMA, WCDMA, LTE, 5GNR, Sub 7 GHz 5G NR, Millimeter Wave 5G NR, Massive MIMO, Macro BTS, Small Cell, Cloud RAN
  • Regions: North America, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Asia Pacific, China, and CALA (Caribbean and Latin America)

Explore related research

◼ THE GOLD STANDARD

Strong strategy starts
with credible research

Industry leaders worldwide use our data for critical decision making.
Now let’s talk about yours.

Connect with Dell'Oro

Scan the QR code to follow Dell’Oro Group on WeChat and receive the latest research, insights, and industry updates.