Worldwide 5G Network Infrastructure Forecast, 2018–2022

This study provides the forecast for the 5G network infrastructure market for 2018-2022. IDC believes spending on 5G-related routing and optical backhaul will rise at CAGRs of 146.1% and 129.6%, respectively, over the forecast period. Demand for backhaul routers and an improved optical underlay will be critical to enable 5G service evolution.

Early 5G adopters are laying the groundwork for long-term success by investing in 5G RAN, NFVI, optical underlays, and next-generation routers and switches. The long-term benefit of making these investments now will be when the standards-compliant SA 5G core is paired with a fully virtualized end-to-end network. This should enable many communications SPs to expand their value proposition and offer customized services across a diverse set of enterprise verticals.

Worldwide 5G Network Infrastructure Forecast, 2018–2022
TABLE OF CONTENTS

List of Attachments
Market Forecast Figure
Figure: Worldwide 5G Network Infrastructure Revenue Snapshot
Executive Summary
Advice for Technology Suppliers
Market Forecast
Table: Worldwide 5G Network Infrastructure Revenue, 2018–2022 ($B)
Market Context
Figure: Carriers Continue to Face Acute Challenges
Drivers and Inhibitors
Drivers
"5G Race" Mentality Beginning to Take Hold in Developed Regions
Push to Unlock New Business Models
The Need to Enhance Network Capacity and Improve Cost Per Bit
Inhibitors
Outdated Regulations Could Limit 5G Uptake In the Early Days
Spectrum Challenges
Significant Market Developments
Changes from Prior Forecast
Market Definition
5G RAN
5G Core
Routing Backhaul
Optical Backhaul
Network Functions Virtualization Infrastructure
Software-Defined Compute
Software-Defined Networking
Software-Defined Storage
Management
Orchestration
Methodology
Related Research