Dave Bolan

Research Director

The Mobile Core Network is in a transitional stage from 4G to 5G and a new type of core network called the 5G Core Service Based Architecture (SBA). The 5G Core SBA is designed to be a universal core that can be the core for mobile and fixed wireless networks, wireline networks, and Wi-Fi networks. This includes the ability to be the core for 2G/3G/4G, so only one core is necessary for the long term. In addition, the IMS Core will migrate into the 5G Core SBA.

The Network Slicing Function, designed into the 5G Core SBA architecture, allows service providers to carve out a portion of the core resources to deliver service level agreement performance to vertical segments. This allows the management of parallel networks within one slice for example: an MVNO, or operating an IoT network, connected cars, industrial robotics, smart cities… the list goes on.

The 5G Core SBA is designed from the start with Control and User Plane Separation, the enabler for multi-access edge computing (MEC). This enables the ability to distribute User Plane compute power closer to the edge to meet latency requirements for certain applications. This also reduces cost by lowering the backhaul cost of moving user data back and forth to the central core.

Coupled together, network slicing and MEC, enables some extreme requirements for factories and enterprise that would basically have their own virtual network.

With Network Function Virtualization (NFV) the 5G Core SBA is best served with Cloud-native Network Functions that disaggregates the hardware from the software and operates in a stateless function with the data separated from the control function among other things.

To take advantage of the opportunities in this market, component manufacturers, equipment vendors, service providers, and financial institutions need to answer critical business questions including:

  • How quickly will the Mobile Core Network market grow and what trends will influence its growth?
  • What is the future demand for the various types of core products?
  • Which vendors lead the equipment market, and why?
  • What is the average selling price per license, and how will it change over time?
  • How will the emergence of the 5G Core SBA impact the Evolved Packet Core and IMS Core market?
  • What is the impact on ASPs with NFV implementations?
  • What is the impact of MEC (distributed UPF)?

To answer these and other important questions, Dell’Oro Group delivers both quarterly reports and 5-year forecasts on the Mobile Core Network market.

Mobile Core Network & Multi-Access Edge Computing Quarterly Reports

Dell’Oro Group publishes Mobile Core Network quarterly reports containing in-depth market-level and detailed vendor market share information on the following markets:

  • 4G/5G Packet Core Controller
    • MME, SGW-C, PGW-C
    • AMF, SMF
  • 4G/5G Packet Core Gateway
    • SGW/PGW, SGW-U, PGW-U
    • UPF (including MEC)
  • 4G/5G Policy
    • Policy and Charging Rules Function
    • Policy Control Function
  • 4G/5G Subscriber Data Management
    • Home Subscriber Server
    • Unified Data Management
  • IMS Core
    • Session Border Controllers
    • Voice Application Servers
    • Call Session Control Function

We also track revenue and licenses shipped per market by region:

  • North America
  • EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa)
  • Asia Pacific
  • China
  • CALA (Caribbean and Latin America)

Mobile Core Network & Multi-Access Edge Computing 5-Year Forecasts

Dell’Oro Group publishes Mobile Core Network 5-year forecasts offering a complete overview of the market with historical data where applicable to the present. The report provides a comprehensive overview of market trends by network function implementation (Non-NFV and NFV), covering revenue, licenses, average selling price, and regional forecasts for various network functions. Markets covered include:

  • 4G/5G Packet Core Controller
    • MME, SGW-C, PGW-C
    • AMF, SMF
  • 4G/5G Packet Core Gateway
    • SGW/PGW, SGW-U, PGW-U
    • UPF (including MEC)
  • 4G/5G Policy
    • Policy and Charging Rules Function
    • Policy Control Function
  • 4G/5G Subscriber Data Management
    • Home Subscriber Server
    • Unified Data Management
  • IMS Core
    • Session Border Controllers
    • Voice Application Servers
    • Call Session Control Function

We also track revenue and licenses shipped per market by region:

  • North America
  • EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa)
  • Asia Pacific
  • China
  • CALA (Caribbean and Latin America)

Click here to contact us for more information about the Mobile Core Network research program or about purchasing options.