C-RAN Market Size, Share, Trends, Growth, Production, Consumption, Revenue, Company Analysis and Forecast 2021-2028

The global C-RAN market size is expected to be worth around US$ 43.40 billion by 2028, according to a new report by Vision Research Reports.

The global C-RAN market size was valued at US$ 8.48 billion in 2020 and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 22.9% during forecast period 2021 to 2028.

Growth Factors

Rapid technological advancements in optical and wireless communication systems is expected to drive the growth. Furthermore, multiple benefits such as reduced energy consumption, simplification of network management and operation, the lower total cost of ownership, enhance the efficiency of the spectrum, pooling of resources, and reuse of infrastructure have led to the cloud radio access network market witnessing an increased demand.

The growing network congestion owing to limited spectrum availability and the smart devices usage has compelled the demand for enhanced network architectures, such as cloud-RAN. The mobile operators are facing the challenge, as technology trend in the wireless networking industry is shifting from the current 3G wireless mobile communication technology to more advanced 4G technologies, such as LTE and LTE-A. This change has increased the cost of implementation, as in most scenarios, large network providers have been obliged to support multi-standard networks.

The rapid rise in the deployment of 5G will further increase the burden on the currently available operation model and infrastructure. The cloud-RAN architecture uses the small-cell model and has been recognized as a favorable methodology to address the 5G standards. It is an innovative architecture, which can solve different challenges that the mobile operators face while trying to support the growing needs of end users, then it is appreciated as a major technological basis for 5G network. The increasing activities to test 5G networks across countries, including South Korea, China, Japan, and U.S. is estimated to drive the market growth from 2020 to 2027.

Report Highlights

Based on architecture, the C-RAN market has been segmented into centralized-RAN and virtualized/Cloud RAN. Centralized radio access network maintains a dominant position owing to technological advances offered for optical, wireless, and IT communication systems. 

Virtualized/Cloud RAN segment is projected to exhibit a rapid CAGR over the forecast period, attributed to rise in the adoption of and NFV technology by the wireless telecom industry. Asia Pacific maintains a leading position and is anticipated to register a CAGR of 29.1% over the forecast period. The virtualization of radio access network is anticipated to facilitate the preparation of the carrier for 5G helping to boost the bandwidth requirements.

Based on components, the cloud radio access network market can be segmented into infrastructure, software, and services. Infrastructure accounted for the highest market share and was valued at USD 4.35 billion in 2019. The segment would attain a higher revenue share by 2027, owing to the rapid adoption of radio technology and architecture to meet the 5G requirements.

The software segment accounted for the second largest market share in 2019 owing to the increasing demand for NFV solution for radio access network visualization to optimize the larger and smaller carrier function which is further anticipated to drive the growth in near future.

However, the service segment is expected to maintain a steady position throughout the forecast period. An increase in demand for consulting, maintenance services, design, and development due to the deployment of C-RAN architecture by mobile operators is anticipated to drive the growth.

On the basis of network type, the market has been categorized into 3G and LTE and 5G services. The LTE and 5G services led the market and accounted for a revenue of USD 7.97 billion in 2019. Massive growth in data traffic and rigorous impacts of power consumption by current network architecture results in extra cost burdens to network operators. 

However, the emergence of 5G is expected to draw challenges on the present network infrastructure in the form of technologies and operation models. Existing mobile networks are designed to match with the requirements for voice and traditional mobile broadband services and are not flexible enough to support 5G services owing to multiple numbers of standard upgrades and complex interfaces. Therefore, the cloud-RAN is an emerging critical network architecture for 5G deployment.

Based on deployment, the market has been bifurcated into indoor and outdoor. Major deployment of C-RAN architecture by mobile operators in outdoor environments provides better coverage in areas including urban markets, stadiums, and other such places. The market size for outdoor deployment stood at USD 7.12 billion in 2019 and is anticipated to rise at a considerable CAGR over the forecast period. 

Indoor deployment is anticipated to witness high traction in near future and is anticipated to witness a swift CAGR of 29.2% from 2020 to 2027. The deployment of indoor small cells which are mini base stations for C-RAN architecture to offer better service to the mobile users in high-density, and high-value locations such as public places, offices, and homes are anticipated to drive the growth of the segment.

Asia Pacific is a prominent regional segment for C-RAN technology that accounted for the largest market share in 2019, followed by North America. Factors, such as rising deployment of C-RAN architecture as an initiative to commercialize the 5G in countries, such as China, Japan, and South Korea is expected to drive growth. 

North America is the second-largest market for C-RAN deployment since the U.S. is one of the major countries taking strong initiatives for the deployment of 5G to enhance the performance of IoT, autonomous vehicles, and other advanced technology in the upcoming years. The network providers in the region are making significant investments and conducting trials of C-RAN architecture across major cities in the U.S. to lay the groundwork for 5G.

Key Players

• Altiostar

• ASOCS Ltd

• Cisco Systems, Inc.

• Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson

• FUJITSU

• Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd

• NEC Corporation

• Samsung Electronics Co Ltd.

• Nokia Corporation

• ZTE Corporation

Market Segmentation

• Architecture Type Outlook

  • Centralized-RAN

  • Virtualized/Cloud-RAN

• Component Outlook 

  • Infrastructure

    • Remote Radio Units

    • Baseband Units

    • Fronthaul

  • Software

  • Services

    • Consulting

    • Design and Deployment

    • Maintenance and support

    • Others

• Network Type Outlook 

  • 3G

  • LTE & 5G

• Deployment Model 

  • Indoor

  • Outdoor

• Regional Outlook 

  • North America

    • The U.S.

    • Canada

  • Europe

    • The U.K.

    • Germany

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

    • Japan

    • South Korea

  • Latin America

    • Brazil

    • Mexico

  • Middle East & Africa

The C-RAN market research report covers definition, classification, product classification, product application, development trend, product technology, competitive landscape, industrial chain structure, industry overview, national policy and planning analysis of the industry, the latest dynamic analysis, etc., and also includes major. The study includes drivers and restraints of the global market. It covers the impact of these drivers and restraints on the demand during the forecast period. The report also highlights opportunities in the market at the global level.

The report provides size (in terms of volume and value) of C-RAN market for the base year 2020 and the forecast between 2021 and 2028. Market numbers have been estimated based on form and application. Market size and forecast for each application segment have been provided for the global and regional market.

This report focuses on the global C-RAN market status, future forecast, growth opportunity, key market and key players. The study objectives are to present the C-RAN market development in United States, Europe and China.

It is pertinent to consider that in a volatile global economy, we haven’t just conducted C-RAN market forecasts in terms of CAGR, but also studied the market based on key parameters, including Year-on-Year (Y-o-Y) growth, to comprehend the certainty of the market and to find and present the lucrative opportunities in market.

In terms of production side, this report researches the C-RAN capacity, production, value, ex-factory price, growth rate, market share for major manufacturers, regions (or countries) and type.

In terms of consumption side, this report focuses on the consumption of C-RAN by regions (countries) and application.

Buyers of the report will have access to verified market figures, including global market size in terms of revenue and volume. As part of production analysis, the authors of the report have provided reliable estimations and calculations for global revenue and volume by Type segment of the global C-RAN market. These figures have been provided in terms of both revenue and volume for the period 2017 to 2028. Additionally, the report provides accurate figures for production by region in terms of revenue as well as volume for the same period. The report also includes production capacity statistics for the same period.

With regard to production bases and technologies, the research in this report covers the production time, base distribution, technical parameters, research and development trends, technology sources, and sources of raw materials of major C-RAN market companies.

Regarding the analysis of the industry chain, the research of this report covers the raw materials and equipment of C-RAN market upstream, downstream customers, marketing channels, industry development trends and investment strategy recommendations. The more specific analysis also includes the main application areas of market and consumption, major regions and Consumption, major Chinese producers, distributors, raw material suppliers, equipment providers and their contact information, industry chain relationship analysis.

The research in this report also includes product parameters, production process, cost structure, and data information classified by region, technology and application. Finally, the paper model new project SWOT analysis and investment feasibility study of the case model.

Overall, this is an in-depth research report specifically for the C-RAN industry. The research center uses an objective and fair way to conduct an in-depth analysis of the development trend of the industry, providing support and evidence for customer competition analysis, development planning, and investment decision-making. In the course of operation, the project has received support and assistance from technicians and marketing personnel in various links of the industry chain.

The C-RAN market competitive landscape provides details by competitor. Details included are company overview, company financials, revenue generated, market potential, investment in research and development, new market initiatives, global presence, production sites and facilities, production capacities, company strengths and weaknesses, product launch, product width and breadth, application dominance. The above data points provided are only related to the companies’ focus related to C-RAN market.

Prominent players in the market are predicted to face tough competition from the new entrants. However, some of the key players are targeting to acquire the startup companies in order to maintain their dominance in the global market. For a detailed analysis of key companies, their strengths, weaknesses, threats, and opportunities are measured in the report by using industry-standard tools such as the SWOT analysis. Regional coverage of key companies is covered in the report to measure their dominance. Key manufacturers of C-RAN market are focusing on introducing new products to meet the needs of the patrons. The feasibility of new products is also measured by using industry-standard tools.

Key companies are increasing their investments in research and development activities for the discovery of new products. There has also been a rise in the government funding for the introduction of new C-RAN market. These factors have benefited the growth of the global market for C-RAN. Going forward, key companies are predicted to benefit from the new product launches and the adoption of technological advancements. Technical advancements have benefited many industries and the global industry is not an exception.

New product launches and the expansion of already existing business are predicted to benefit the key players in maintaining their dominance in the global market for C-RAN. The global market is segmented on the basis of region, application, en-users and product type. Based on region, the market is divided into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and Middle East and Africa (MEA).

In this study, the years considered to estimate the market size of C-RAN are as follows:

• Historic Year: 2017-2020
• Base Year: 2020
• Forecast Year 2021 to 2028

Reasons to Purchase this Report:

- Market segmentation analysis including qualitative and quantitative research incorporating the impact of economic and policy aspects
- Regional and country level analysis integrating the demand and supply forces that are influencing the growth of the market.
- Market value USD Million and volume Units Million data for each segment and sub-segment
- Competitive landscape involving the market share of major players, along with the new projects and strategies adopted by players in the past five years
- Comprehensive company profiles covering the product offerings, key financial information, recent developments, SWOT analysis, and strategies employed by the major market players

Research Methodology:

In-depth interviews and discussions were conducted with several key market participants and opinion leaders to compile the research report.

This research study involved the extensive usage of both primary and secondary data sources. The research process involved the study of various factors affecting the industry, including the government policy, market environment, competitive landscape, historical data, present trends in the market, technological innovation, upcoming technologies and the technical progress in related industry, and market risks, opportunities, market barriers and challenges. The following illustrative figure shows the market research methodology applied in this report.

Market Size Estimation

Top-down and bottom-up approaches are used to estimate and validate the global market size for company, regional division, product type and application (end users).

The market estimations in this report are based on the selling price (excluding any discounts provided by the manufacturer, distributor, wholesaler or traders). Market share analysis, assigned to each of the segments and regions are achieved through product utilization rate and average selling price.

Major manufacturers & their revenues, percentage splits, market shares, growth rates and breakdowns of the product markets are determined through secondary sources and verified through the primary sources.

All possible factors that influence the markets included in this research study have been accounted for, viewed in extensive detail, verified through primary research, and analyzed to get the final quantitative and qualitative data. The market size for top-level markets and sub-segments is normalized, and the effect of inflation, economic downturns, and regulatory & policy changes or others factors are accounted for in the market forecast. This data is combined and added with detailed inputs and analysis from Vision Research Reports and presented in this report.

Market Breakdown and Data Triangulation

After complete market engineering with calculations for market statistics; market size estimations; market forecasting; market breakdown; and data triangulation. Extensive primary research was conducted to gather information and verify and validate the critical numbers arrived at. In the complete market engineering process, both top-down and bottom-up approaches were extensively used, along with several data triangulation methods, to perform market estimation and market forecasting for the overall market segments and sub-segments listed in this report.

Secondary Sources

Secondary Sources occupies approximately 25% of data sources, such as press releases, annual reports, Non-Profit organizations, industry associations, governmental agencies and customs data, and so on. This research study includes secondary sources; directories; databases such as Bloomberg Business, Wind Info, Hoovers, Factiva (Dow Jones & Company), TRADING ECONOMICS, and avention; Investing News Network; statista; Federal Reserve Economic Data; annual reports; investor presentations; and SEC filings of companies.

Primary Sources

 In the primary research process, various sources from both the supply and demand sides were interviewed to obtain qualitative and quantitative information for this report. The primary sources from the supply side include product manufacturers (and their competitors), opinion leaders, industry experts, research institutions, distributors, dealer and traders, as well as the raw materials suppliers and producers, etc.

The primary sources from the demand side include industry experts such as business leaders, marketing and sales directors, technology and innovation directors, supply chain executive, end users (product buyers), and related key executives from various key companies and organizations operating in the global market.

The study objectives of this report are:

• To analyze and study the global market capacity, production, value, consumption, status (2017-2020) and forecast (2021-2028);
• Focuses on the key manufacturers, to study the capacity, production, value, market share and development plans in future.
• Comprehensive company profiles covering the product offerings, key financial information, recent developments, SWOT analysis, and strategies employed by the major market players
• To define, describe and forecast the market by type, application and region.
• To analyze the global and key regions market potential and advantage, opportunity and challenge, restraints and risks.
• To identify significant trends and factors driving or inhibiting the market growth.
• To analyze the opportunities in the market for stakeholders by identifying the high growth segments.
• To strategically analyze each submarket with respect to individual growth trend and their contribution to the market
• To analyze competitive developments such as expansions, agreements, new product launches, and acquisitions in the market
• To strategically profile the key players and comprehensively analyze their growth strategies.