Global spending will exceed $6.4 billion by 2026
According to the latest data made public by market intelligence firm SNS Telecom & IT, global spending on private LTE and 5G network infrastructure for vertical industries is expected to increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 18% between the years 2023 and 2026 and will exceed $6.4 billion by the end of 2026.
To support Industry 4.0 and the digitization and automation of manufacturing and process sectors, 40% of this spending will go towards the development of independent private 5G networks.
This unprecedented level of growth is likely to transform private LTE and 5G networks into a nearly parallel equipment ecosystem for public mobile operator infrastructure in terms of market size by the late 2020s.
Private Cellular Networks, also known as non-public networks (NPNs), have become a prominent technology in recent years, according to findings from a leading research firm. These networks have attracted attention for their numerous advantages over public networks and other wireless technologies, including improved privacy, security, reliability, and performance. In addition, NPNs have the potential to replace traditional wired connections with wireless connections, making them even more attractive.
The standardization efforts led by 3GPP have resulted in the inclusion of several features such as MCX (Mission-Critical PTT, Video & Data), URLLC (Ultra-Reliable, Low-Latency Communications), TSC (Time-Sensitive Communications), SNPNs (Standalone NPNs), PNI-NPNs (Public Network-Integrated NPNs), and Network Slicing. As a result, private networks leveraging LTE and 5G technologies have been recognized as a comprehensive connectivity platform for critical communications, applications related to Industry 4.0 and business transformation.
Historically, the above sectors have shown a prevalence of LMR (Land Mobile Radio), Wi-Fi, Industrial Ethernet, Fiber and other heterogeneous networks.
According to SNS Telecom & IT, the adoption of private LTE and 5G networks is being stimulated by the liberalization of the spectrum. This is evident in the fact that national regulators around the world have already granted or are in the process of granting access to shared and locally licensed spectrum.
The examples given include different spectrum sharing arrangements and licensing frameworks implemented in different countries. These include the three-tier CBRS (Citizens Broadband Radio Service) spectrum sharing scheme in the United States, Canada’s planned Non-Competitive Local (NCL) licensing framework, the United Kingdom’s shared and local access licensing model, the Germany’s allocation of 3.7 – 3.8 GHz and 28 GHz licenses for 5G campus networks, France’s use of vertical spectrum and sub-leasing arrangements, the geographically restricted mid-band spectrum allocations in the Netherlands and Finland’s allocation of 2, 3 GHz and 26 GHz licenses for local 4G/5G networks, among others.
Watch: Cabinet approves 5G infrastructure sharing framework – Industry experts share insights
