Global RAN Market Finds Equilibrium After Period of Sharp Decline

The sector is now projected to sustain a modest 1 percent compound annual growth rate through 2030. This recovery trajectory relies on a transition toward next-generation infrastructure, specifically AI-integrated RAN, Cloud RAN, and the nascent stages of 6G deployment. Analysts expect capital expenditure on these technologies to consume roughly 20 to 25 percent of total wireless budgets over the next five years, effectively balancing the inevitable decline in legacy 4G spending.

Stefan Pongratz, Vice President for RAN market research, suggests that while the base outlook remains flat, the actual outcome hinges on how mobile networks adapt to the AI era. Should machine-to-machine traffic accelerate, the demand for expanded network capacity could drive a more optimistic performance. Conversely, if carrier revenue growth remains stagnant or if networks find themselves burdened by excess capacity, market expansion will likely stay constrained.