Global 5G New Radio (NR) RAN Market Size, Share, Statistics Analysis Report By Technology (Massive MIMO, Non-Massive MIMO), By Spectrum Band (Sub-6-Ghz, mmWave), By Architecture (Centralized RAN, Virtual RAN, Open RAN), By Deployment (Standalone, Non-Standalone), Region and Companies - Industry Segment Outlook, Market Assessment, Competition Scenario, Trends and Forecast 2025-2034

Report Overview

The Global 5G New Radio (NR) RAN Market size is expected to be worth around USD 253.1 Billion By 2034, from USD 25.5 Billion in 2024, growing at a CAGR of 25.80% during the forecast period from 2025 to 2034. In 2024, North America led the telecom sector, capturing a 44.2% market share with revenues of USD 11.2 billion. The US 5G NR RAN market notably contributed USD 0.9 billion, highlighting the region’s strong adoption of advanced networking technologies.

5G New Radio (NR) is the global standard for a more capable 5G wireless air interface, designed to support a wide array of devices and services, improve efficiency, and reduce latency. Radio Access Network (RAN) is part of the 5G architecture that connects individual devices to other parts of the network through radio connections.

The market for 5G New Radio (NR) RAN is experiencing rapid growth, driven by the global rollout of 5G networks. Telecommunication operators are investing heavily in this technology to meet the increasing consumer and business demand for higher data speeds and more reliable network services. The expansion of 5G NR RAN is crucial for enabling innovative applications and services such as augmented reality, industrial automation, and smart cities.

The primary driving factors for the 5G NR RAN market include the escalating demand for mobile broadband services, the proliferation of smart devices, and the growing need for high-speed internet in remote and rural areas. Additionally, government initiatives supporting the deployment of 5G infrastructure and the push for digital transformation across various sectors further fuel the market growth.

Market demand for 5G NR RAN is being propelled by the surge in data traffic due to increased internet usage and higher quality video streaming services. The demand is also driven by the adoption of IoT devices and the connectivity needs of emerging technologies such as autonomous vehicles, telemedicine, and massive machine-type communications in smart manufacturing and smart agriculture.

Significant market opportunities in the 5G NR RAN sector arise from the development of new applications that require ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC). The expansion into new geographic regions where 5G infrastructure is still nascent also presents considerable growth opportunities for providers of 5G NR RAN solutions.

Technological advancements in 5G NR RAN include the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies to optimize network management and operations. Innovations in Massive MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) technology and advanced beamforming techniques have substantially increased network capacity and efficiency, thus enhancing user experiences while reducing interference.

Key Takeaways

• The Global 5G NR RAN Market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 25.80% during the forecast period from 2025 to 2034, reaching a market size worth around USD 253.1 Billion by 2034, up from USD 25.5 Billion in 2024.
• In 2024, the Massive MIMO segment held a dominant position in the 5G NR RAN market, accounting for more than 56.0% of the market share.
• The Sub-6 GHz segment of the 5G NR RAN market also held a dominant share in 2024, capturing more than 68.7% of the global market.
• In 2024, the Centralized RAN segment maintained a dominant market position, with a share of more than 42.4% in the 5G NR RAN market.
• The Standalone segment also held a dominant position in 2024, accounting for more than 58.9% of the market share.
• North America was the leading region in the 5G NR RAN market in 2024, holding a dominant position with over 44.2% market share, generating revenues of USD 11.2 billion.

U.S. 5G NR RAN Market Size

The U.S. 5G NR RAN market size was valued at $0.9 billion in 2024, highlighting steady growth driven by increasing adoption of advanced wireless technology. This expansion reflects rising investments in 5G infrastructure as businesses and consumers demand faster, more reliable connectivity.

In 2024, North America held a dominant position in the 5G NR RAN market, capturing more than a 44.2% share with revenues reaching USD 11.2 billion. This leading status is largely due to the region’s early and rapid adoption of 5G technologies, driven by substantial investments from major telecommunications players and supportive government policies aimed at enhancing network infrastructure.

The widespread adoption of 5G in North America is fueled by advanced infrastructure and high digital literacy, enabling quick deployment of new technologies. The extensive 5G coverage enhances connectivity, benefiting consumers and businesses with applications like smart cities, autonomous vehicles, and industrial automation.

Furthermore, North America’s leadership in the 5G NR RAN market is reinforced by its strong focus on research and development. The region is home to many of the world’s leading tech companies, which are investing heavily in the development and testing of new 5G technologies, including Massive MIMO and beamforming.

The market’s expansion in North America is anticipated to continue, fueled by ongoing advancements in 5G technology and increasing consumer demand for faster, more reliable internet services. This demand is particularly evident in the growing number of IoT devices and the rising consumption of streaming services, which require the high bandwidth and low latency offered by 5G networks.

Technology Analysis

In 2024, the Massive MIMO segment held a dominant position in the 5G NR RAN market, capturing more than a 56.0% share. This leadership can be attributed to the technology’s ability to significantly increase the capacity of a wireless connection without requiring additional spectrum.

One of the key reasons for the predominance of Massive MIMO in the 5G NR RAN market is its effectiveness in dense urban areas, where high traffic volumes and the demand for data are most concentrated. The technology excels in these environments by improving signal quality and reducing interference, which are critical factors for ensuring reliable and high-speed communication.

Moreover, Massive MIMO technology supports the implementation of beamforming techniques, which focus a signal towards a specific user to enhance service quality, rather than broadcasting over a wide area. This targeted approach not only improves user experience by boosting data rates and reducing latency but also increases the overall energy efficiency of the network.

The ongoing global rollout of 5G networks has further amplified the demand for Massive MIMO. Network operators are rapidly adopting this technology to achieve the scale and efficiency needed to support burgeoning network loads and meet the quality expectations of end-users.

Spectrum Band Analysis

In 2024, the Sub-6 GHz segment of the 5G NR RAN market held a dominant position, capturing more than a 68.7% share of the global market. This segment’s leadership can be attributed to several key factors that align with the current technological and regulatory landscape.

The Sub-6 GHz spectrum is pivotal due to its balance between coverage and capacity, making it highly suitable for widespread 5G deployment. Its ability to penetrate buildings and urban infrastructure more effectively than higher frequency bands like mmWave ensures reliable connectivity in dense metropolitan areas.

Additionally, the Sub-6 GHz band is supported by a more established regulatory framework, which has expedited its commercial rollout. Governments and regulatory bodies worldwide have made significant portions of this spectrum available, facilitating quicker network upgrades and lower deployment costs compared to mmWave.

Moreover, the technological maturity of equipment designed for the Sub-6 GHz spectrum has contributed to its dominance. Network hardware and devices operating in this band have reached a higher level of development and commercial readiness. This maturity allows for more robust and cost-effective solutions, which are critical for telecom operators as they expand their 5G services.

Architecture Analysis

In 2024, the Centralized RAN segment held a dominant market position within the 5G NR RAN market, capturing more than a 42.4% share. This segment’s leadership can primarily be attributed to its efficient architecture, which consolidates baseband processing in a single location.

This centralization significantly enhances network performance by reducing latency and increasing bandwidth availability. Moreover, Centralized RAN enables operators to optimize resource allocation and manage network traffic more effectively, driving its adoption especially in dense urban areas where traffic demand is high.

Centralized RAN’s dominance in the market is also bolstered by its compatibility with existing telecommunications infrastructure. Many telecom operators have found that integrating Centralized RAN with their current setups allows for a smoother transition to 5G, minimizing the need for extensive new deployments.

Centralized RAN architecture enhances 5G networks by enabling coordinated multi-point operations (CoMP) and carrier aggregation. This improves network capacity, coverage, efficiency, and performance, essential for delivering high-speed, low-latency 5G communications.

Deployment Analysis

In 2024, the Standalone segment held a dominant market position in the 5G NR RAN market, capturing more than a 58.9% share. This leading position is due to the ability to provide a true end-to-end 5G network. Standalone systems use 5G new radio and core, unlocking full 5G potential with higher speeds and lower latency, unlike non-standalone architectures.

The preference for standalone deployments can also be attributed to their enhanced network efficiency and improved security features. Standalone networks are designed with a new architecture that includes a simplified RAN and core network, reducing points of failure and potential security vulnerabilities compared to non-standalone setups.

Moreover, the regulatory landscape has positively influenced the adoption of standalone architectures. Regulatory bodies in various countries are mandating the use of standalone setups to ensure that 5G services meet the highest standards of performance and security.

Despite the appeal of non-standalone architectures for their lower cost and faster deployment, the standalone segment leads the market due to its ability to fully realize 5G’s potential, supported by regulatory backing and superior network capabilities.

Key Market Segments

By Technology

• Massive MIMO
• Non-Massive MIMO

By Spectrum Band

• Sub-6-Ghz
• mmWave

By Architecture

• Centralized RAN
• Virtual RAN
• Open RAN

By Deployment

• Standalone
• Non-Standalone

Key Regions and Countries

• North America
  • US
  • Canada
• Europe
  • Germany
  • France
  • The UK
  • Spain
  • Italy
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • South Korea
  • India
  • Australia
  • Singapore
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Rest of Latin America
• Middle East & Africa
  • South Africa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • UAE
  • Rest of MEA

Driver

Enhanced Network Flexibility and Efficiency

The evolution of 5G New Radio (NR) Radio Access Network (RAN) is significantly propelled by the need for enhanced network flexibility and efficiency. Traditional RAN architectures often involve proprietary, monolithic systems that can be inflexible and costly to upgrade.

In contrast, 5G NR RAN introduces Cloud RAN (C-RAN) and Open RAN, which decouple hardware and software for more agile, cost-effective network management. This disaggregation allows multi-vendor solutions, reducing reliance on single suppliers and encouraging innovation.

Moreover, the cloudification of RAN functions facilitates dynamic resource allocation, improving network performance and scalability to meet diverse service requirements. Such flexibility is crucial for supporting the varied use cases of 5G, including enhanced mobile broadband, massive machine-type communications, and ultra-reliable low-latency communications.

Restraint

Integration Complexity and Interoperability Issues

While the shift towards a disaggregated and virtualized 5G NR RAN offers numerous benefits, it also introduces significant integration complexities and interoperability challenges. The deployment of multi-vendor solutions requires seamless integration of components from different suppliers, each with distinct interfaces and operational protocols.

Ensuring interoperability among these diverse elements can be challenging, requiring extensive testing and validation. The absence of standardized interfaces may also cause compatibility issues, disrupting network performance.These challenges can result in increased deployment times and higher operational expenditures, potentially offsetting the cost benefits associated with open and virtualized RAN architectures.

Opportunity

Adoption of Open RAN Architectures

The adoption of Open RAN architectures presents a significant opportunity in the evolution of 5G NR RAN. Open RAN promotes the use of open and standardized interfaces, enabling interoperability between equipment from different vendors. This openness fosters a diverse and competitive ecosystem, encouraging innovation and reducing costs.

Operators can benefit from increased flexibility in network deployment and management, tailoring solutions to specific needs without being locked into proprietary systems. Moreover, Open RAN facilitates the integration of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, enhancing network optimization and performance.

Challenge

Ensuring Security in Disaggregated Networks

The transition to disaggregated and virtualized 5G NR RAN architectures introduces significant security challenges. In traditional, monolithic RAN systems, security measures are often integrated within proprietary hardware and software, providing a controlled environment.In a disaggregated network, combining components from multiple vendors expands the attack surface and complicates the enforcement of unified security policies.

Ensuring end-to-end security in such a heterogeneous environment requires robust authentication, authorization, and encryption mechanisms across all interfaces and components. Additionally, the dynamic nature of virtualized functions necessitates continuous monitoring and real-time threat detection to promptly identify and mitigate vulnerabilities.

Emerging Trends

The evolution of 5G New Radio (NR) Radio Access Network (RAN) is marked by several emerging trends. A significant development is the shift towards Open RAN architectures, which promote open, interoperable standards. This openness allows operators to integrate equipment from various vendors, enhancing flexibility and fostering innovation.

Another notable trend is the adoption of Cloud RAN (C-RAN) solutions. C-RAN improves network efficiency and scalability by centralizing baseband processing and using cloud computing. It supports advanced features like network slicing and edge computing, crucial for meeting 5G application needs.

Additionally, the introduction of Reduced Capability (RedCap) devices, also known as NR-Light, is expanding the 5G ecosystem. Designed for Internet of Things (IoT) applications, RedCap devices offer lower complexity and power consumption, making them suitable for wearables, sensors, and other IoT devices.

Business Benefits

The adoption of 5G NR RAN offers several business benefits that can enhance operational efficiency and drive growth. One of the primary advantages is the reduction in both capital and operational expenditures. Open RAN architectures, for instance, allow operators to source components from multiple vendors, fostering competition and lowering costs.

Furthermore, the virtualization of RAN functions through Cloud RAN enables efficient scaling of networks without the need for substantial hardware investments. This scalability is particularly beneficial in accommodating varying traffic demands and supporting the rollout of new services.

The integration of AI and ML into RAN operations enhances network performance and reliability. Intelligent resource management and predictive maintenance minimize downtime and optimize service quality, leading to improved customer satisfaction and retention.

Key Player Analysis

The 5G NR RAN market is characterized by the presence of several influential players which stand out due to their technological advancements, extensive market reach, and innovative solutions.

Fujitsu has made significant inroads in the 5G NR RAN market through its comprehensive suite of RAN products and solutions. The company is renowned for its robust technology that supports next-generation cellular network standards, allowing for seamless integration and scalability.

Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson is a powerhouse in the telecommunications sector, with its 5G NR RAN solutions being at the forefront. Known for its high-performance network technology, Ericsson has been instrumental in deploying 5G networks across various regions.

Samsung is another major player in the 5G NR RAN market, leveraging its expertise in both consumer electronics and network technologies. The company has developed a range of 5G products that emphasize enhanced connectivity and high-speed communication capabilities.

Top Key Players in the Market

• Fujitsu
• Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Samsung
• Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
• Nokia
• Mavenir
• Qualcomm Technologies
• Cisco
• NEC
• Airspan
• Others

Top Opportunities Awaiting for Players

The 5G NR RAN market is poised for significant growth and presents a host of opportunities for key players. Here are the top five opportunities awaiting market players in this dynamic sector:

• IoT Integration: The rapid expansion of the Internet of Things (IoT) presents a substantial opportunity for 5G NR RAN technologies. As IoT devices proliferate, from smart home systems to industrial sensors, the need for robust and high-speed connectivity that 5G RAN can provide is becoming increasingly critical. This technology facilitates the necessary infrastructure for seamless IoT connectivity, supporting smart solutions across various sectors​.
• Government Initiatives and Investments: Many governments are actively supporting the deployment of 5G networks through favorable policies, spectrum allocations, and financial incentives. This regulatory and financial support accelerates technology adoption and fosters market growth, providing a fertile ground for 5G RAN development and expansion​.
• Expansion of 5G in Developing Regions: Significant market potential exists in expanding 5G technologies into emerging markets where current telecom infrastructures are less developed. This expansion is fueled by both the need for advanced telecom services and the ongoing global push for better connectivity solutions​.
• Smart City Projects: As urban areas continue to grow, smart city initiatives are becoming more prevalent. These projects rely heavily on interconnected systems to optimize city functions such as traffic management, public safety, and energy conservation. 5G RAN plays a central role in providing the backbone for these systems, ensuring efficient and continuous communication between a vast array of sensors and devices​.
• Industrial Automation: The industrial sector is increasingly moving towards automation and the use of smart technologies. 5G RAN supports these advances by facilitating machine-to-machine communications and enabling real-time control and monitoring of industrial processes. This not only boosts productivity but also opens up new business models based on data analytics and predictive maintenance​.

Recent Developments

• In February 2024, Mavenir unveiled its next-generation ‘Green by Design’ OpenBeam™ Massive MIMO radios, powered by Qualcomm® 5G RAN platforms. These radios are designed to be energy-efficient and support Open RAN standards, facilitating sustainable 5G deployments.
• In October 2024, Ericsson introduced seven new 5G Advanced software products aimed at enhancing network performance and efficiency. These products, compatible with Open RAN, Cloud RAN, and purpose-built RAN, are set to be available between Q3 2024 and Q1 2025.
• In 2024, Samsung highlighted advancements in wireless connectivity, emphasizing the growth of Open RAN and Fixed Wireless Access (FWA).

Report Scope