Standalone 5G Network Market

The global Standalone 5G Network Market is valued at USD 1.72 Billion in 2023 and is projected to reach a value of USD 47.78 Billion by 2032 at a CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) of 51.5% between 2024 and 2032. The primary driver of market is rising demand for ultra-low latency, high-reliability applications in industries like IoT, automation, and AR/VR, enabling advanced, real-time connectivity and network slicing.

Key Highlights

• In 2023, Asia Pacific dominated the market with 49.50% market share
• By Component, solutions category is accounted 83.40% market share
• Based on Network, the Public category is dominated the market with 86.40% market share
• Based on Vertical, the Manufacturing category is dominated the market with 25.20% market share
• Growing investment in private 5G networks and network slicing for customized enterprise solutions, especially in manufacturing, healthcare, and industrial automation sectors

Component Overview

The Component Segment is divided into Solutions and Services. The Solutions category is divided into 5G radio access network, 5G core network, and others. The solutions held the dominant share in 2023, accounting for significant market share of 83.40%.

The component segment is expanding due to the extensive deployment of a 5G radio access network and 5G core network with a large number of microcell and small cell base stations globally. Additionally, the advantages of 5G core—such as ultra-low latency, faster upload rates, edge functionalities, and ultra-high reliability—drive enterprises' need for SA 5G networks in order to boost performance.

The growing need for stand-alone 5G network-related services, such as consultancy, implementation and integration, support and maintenance, and training and education, is anticipated to propel the services segments substantial CAGR over the forecast period. The segment expansion is also being accelerated by the growing need for knowledge and assistance in the deployment and management of SA 5G networks.

Network Overview

The Network Segment is divided into Public and Private. The public category held the dominant share in 2023, accounting for significant market share of 86.40%.

The rising investment and deployment of public standalone (SA) 5G networks by mobile network operators (MNOs) worldwide are driving growth of this segment. Standalone 5G networks, which operate independently of existing 4G infrastructure, allow for enhanced performance, reduced latency, and a wider range of applications across industries. Public 5G networks enable broad coverage, supporting a range of use cases from enhanced mobile broadband to critical IoT services.

Vertical Overview

The Vertical segment is divided into manufacturing, Automotive and Transportation, Enterprise/Corporate, Energy & Utilities, healthcare/hospitals, smart cities, and Others. The manufacturing held the dominant share in 2023, accounting for significant market share of 25.20%.

In the manufacturing sectors, with its reduced latency and enhanced reliability, the SA 5G network facilitates the deployment of advanced industrial automation systems. It also allows for real-time remote monitoring, control, and synchronization of machinery and processes, boosting efficiency, productivity, and flexibility across manufacturing and other industrial sectors. For instance, in August 2024, Singtel and Hitachi, Ltd. have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on next-generation data centers and GPU Cloud in Japan and potentially the wider Asia Pacific region under the lead of Singtels Digital InfraCo unit. The strategic partnership will combine Singtel’s extensive data center and connectivity expertise and technology platforms with Hitachi’s differentiating capability that enables end-to-end data center integration including green power solutions, cooling systems, storage infrastructure and data management.

Regional Overview

In 2023, the Asia Pacific captured 49.50% of the revenue share.

Asia Pacific Standalone 5G Network market is driven by increasing deployment and adoption of the 5G network in countries, such as China, Japan, India, South Korea, Singapore, and Australia, is the major driving factor behind the market growth. In region, market is driven by rapid technological advancements and significant investments from major telecom operators, increasing demand for advanced applications in industries like manufacturing, healthcare, and transportation further propels the adoption of Standalone 5G network. Additionally, the proliferation of Internet of Things (IoT) devices and smart technologies in urban areas is expected to enhance connectivity and efficiency, making Asia-Pacific a key player in the global standalone 5G landscape.

The China held the largest Standalone 5G Network market share and is anticipated to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The market is driven by with its extensive investments and rapid deployment of 5G infrastructure. The Chinese government has actively supported the development of 5G technologies through strategic initiatives and policies aimed at enhancing digital transformation across various sectors. Major telecom operators, such as China Mobile, China Telecom, and China Unicom, are heavily investing in standalone 5G networks to provide faster, more reliable services and support emerging applications like smart cities, autonomous vehicles, and industrial automation.

Japans Standalone 5G Network market is poised for rapid growth in the coming years. Key Japanese telecom providers, such as NTT Docomo, are heavily investing in standalone 5G deployment. In July 2024, NTT DOCOMO, INC. announced plans for commercial New Radio-Dual Connectivity (NR-DC) across three frequency bands: 3.7 GHz, 4.5 GHz, and 28 GHz. As of August 1, 2024, this technology enables Japan’s fastest download speeds of up to 6.6 Gbps using standalone 5G architecture.

North America Standalone 5G Network market is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. In region, strong presence of key players, including T Mobile USA Inc., Verizon Communications Inc., and AT&T, Inc. In the U.S., the rapid development of smart cities has significantly boosted the deployment of IoT devices across sectors such as transportation, security, public safety, and energy management. Accordingly, the demand for Standalone 5G networks in the U.S. is expected to rise, driven by businesses’ increasing reliance on the IoT ecosystem. For instance, on March 2022, Rogers Communications announced today it has launched the first commercial 5G standalone (SA) network in Canada, turning on the next-generation service after completing the rollout of Canada’s first national standalone 5G core and the country’s first 5G standalone device certification.

The U.S. Standalone 5G Network market dominated the North America region propelled by the demand for enhanced connectivity to support new technologies like autonomous systems, industrial IoT, and smart cities. Significant investments in 5G infrastructure and equipment manufacturing are expected to fuel market growth through 2030.

Europe was identified as a promising region for the Standalone 5G Network market. Telecom operators across Europe are transitioning from non-standalone to standalone 5G networks, which use a dedicated 5G core to maximize the technology’s potential. European governments are also investing in upgrading network infrastructure. Leading telecom operators such as Deutsche Telekom AG, Vodafone Limited, Orange, and Telefónica are at the forefront of standalone 5G deployment, focusing on expanding infrastructure in key industries that require high-speed, real-time connectivity.

In the U.K., the Standalone 5G Network market is gaining traction as the country emphasizes building advanced digital infrastructure to enhance connectivity, drive innovation, and support industrial and consumer needs. Standalone 5G in the U.K. offers an independent network architecture with high-speed, low-latency connections, crucial for smart manufacturing, healthcare, and autonomous vehicle applications.

Key Trends

1. Private 5G Networks: There is a growing trend of enterprises investing in private 5G networks to enhance security, control, and performance. These networks are designed for specific operational needs, facilitating advanced automation and real-time data processing
2. Integration with Edge Computing: The combination of standalone 5G with edge computing is gaining traction, as it enables low-latency data processing closer to the source, enhancing performance for applications like IoT and real-time analytics
3. Enhanced Support for IoT Devices: As the number of IoT devices continues to grow, standalone 5G networks are being optimized to handle massive connections, providing the necessary bandwidth and reliability for diverse applications

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Market Dynamics

Demand for high-speed connectivity

The demand for high-speed connectivity is a driver of the standalone 5G network market, as businesses and consumers increasingly search for faster and more reliable internet services. With the exponential growth of data consumption driven by streaming services, online gaming, and cloud-based applications, traditional networks struggle to meet the performance expectations of users. Standalone 5G networks offer significantly enhanced data speeds, capable of supporting multiple devices simultaneously without compromising performance.

Growth of IoT and Smart Devices

The growth of the Internet of Things (IoT) and smart devices is a driver of the SA 5G network market, as the increasing number of connected devices necessitates a robust and efficient network infrastructure. IoT devices are growing at a never-before-seen pace, ranging from wearable technology and smart home appliances to industrial sensors and smart city applications. These gadgets produce enormous volumes of data, which must be transmitted instantly and reliably in order to function and communicate effectively. Additionally, a large number of devices may be connected simultaneously because to freestanding 5Gs increased capacity, which is crucial for applications like automated manufacturing, smart grids, and healthcare monitoring.

Competitive Landscape

The Standalone 5G Network market is characterized by dynamic and evolving environment with several key players and their ongoing advancement. Major players are Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson, T‑Mobile USA Inc., Nokia Corporation, Vodafone Limited, Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd., Verizon Communications Inc., Samsung Electronics. Co. Ltd., AT&T Inc., Singtel, and Rogers Communications Canada Inc. The competitive dynamics are further influenced by government policies and regulations promoting 5G deployment, as well as partnerships and collaborations among industry stakeholders aimed at fostering innovation and driving market growth. Additionally, several new entrants and niche players are gaining traction by focusing on specialized 5G solutions and private network deployments tailored to enterprise clients. The rapid adoption of IoT, smart cities, and Industry 4.0 applications is further intensifying competition, as providers strive to offer comprehensive 5G services that cater to various industry requirements.

Recent Market Developments

Hrvatski Telekom and Nokia announce API pilot projects to expand 5G application development in Croatia

• In October 2024, Nokia and Hrvatski Telekom (HT), the largest operator in Croatia and part of Deutsche Telekom Group, are collaborating on pilot projects that connect Nokia’s Network as Code platform with developer portal to HT’s network assets. The aim is to enable developers to harness and monetize the operator’s market-leading 5G network assets and capabilities through the creation of new consumer, enterprise, and industrial applications for Hrvatski Telekom customers in Croatia and other parts of Europe

DNB & Ericsson’s AI Intent-Based Operations solution wins third award, recognizing future-readiness of Malaysia’s 5G network

• In October 2024, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing 5G networks by boosting performance, enhancing user experiences, and enabling new applications across various industries. In Malaysia, this cutting-edge technology is integrated into the 5G network through the AI intent-based operations (IBO) solution developed by Ericsson for Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB)

Singtel enters 5G standalone era powered by Ericsson

• In September 2021, With one of the first 5G standalone (SA) networks in the world, Singtel is ramping up its 5G deployment in Singapore, by expanding the network and developing new 5G use cases

The global Standalone 5G Network market can be categorized as Component, Spectrum, Network, Vertical and Region.