Research firm Dell’Oro Group published a July 2021 Mobile Core Network market 5-year forecast report.
The Mobile Core Network (MCN) will achieve a revenue compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3 percent from 2020 to 2025.
The cumulative investment is expected to be over $50 billion from 2021 to 2025, with regional shares in the range for North America – 18 percent to 23 percent; Europe, Middle East, and Africa – 30 percent to 35 percent; Asia Pacific – 40 percent to 45 percent; and Caribbean and Latin America – 5 percent to 10 percent.
By the year 2025, MCN functions associated with 5G are expected to represent over 70 percent of the revenue mix between 4G and 5G MCN functions.
5G Core builds by the three incumbent service providers for 5G Standalone (5G SA) networks in China are continuing. In 2021, the new Chinese communications service provider, China Broadcasting Network will be beginning construction of its 5G SA network.
Deployments of more 5G SA networks are expected in the second half of 2021 in Australia, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. AT&T and Verizon should begin in 2022 and 2023 with their 5G SA networks. Geographic coverage is minimal at launch and is expected to grow throughout the forecast period.
