3rd February 2026: SNS Telecom & IT's latest research indicates that mission-critical LTE and 5G network investments will surpass $9.2 billion annually by the end of 2028.

For nearly a century, the critical communications industry has relied on narrowband LMR networks for mission-critical voice and low-speed data services. Over time, these systems have evolved from relatively basic analog radios to digital communications technologies, such as APCO P25 and TETRA, to provide superior voice quality, end-to-end encryption, and other advanced features. However, due to their inherent bandwidth and design limitations, even the most sophisticated digital LMR networks are unable to support mobile broadband and data-driven critical IoT applications that have become vital for public safety, defense, utilities, transportation, oil and gas, mining, and other segments of the critical communications industry.

The 3GPP-defined LTE and 5G NR air interfaces have emerged as the leading radio access technology candidates to fill this void. Over the last decade, a plethora of fully dedicated, hybrid commercial-private, and secure MVNO-based 3GPP networks have been deployed to deliver critical communications broadband capabilities – in addition to the use of commercial mobile operator networks – for application scenarios as diverse as PTT group communications, multimedia messaging, high-definition video surveillance, BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line-of-Sight) operation of drones, situational awareness, untethered AR/VR/MR, collaborative mobile robots, AGVs (Automated Guided Vehicles), and automation in IIoT (Industrial IoT) environments. These networks range from nationwide PPDR (Public Protection & Disaster Relief) broadband platforms such as the United States’ FirstNet, South Korea’s Safe-Net, Saudi Arabia's mission-critical broadband network, Great Britain’s ESN, France’s RRF, Sweden’s SWEN, and Finland's VIRVE 2 public safety broadband service to defense sector 5G programs for the adoption of tactical cellular systems and permanent private 5G networks at military bases, regional cellular networks covering the service footprint of utility companies, FRMCS (Future Railway Mobile Communication System)-ready networks for train-to-ground communications, and NPNs (Non-Public Networks) for localized wireless connectivity in settings such as airports, maritime ports, oil and gas production facilities, power plants, substations, offshore wind farms, remote mining sites, factories, and warehouses.

Historically, most critical communications user organizations have viewed LTE and 5G NR as complementary technologies, used primarily to augment existing voice-centric LMR networks with broadband capabilities. This perception has changed with the commercial availability of 3GPP standards-compliant MCX (Mission-Critical PTT, Video & Data), QPP (QoS, Priority & Preemption), HPUE (High-Power User Equipment), IOPS (Isolated Operation for Public Safety), URLLC (Ultra-Reliable, Low-Latency Communications), TSC (Time-Sensitive Communications), and related service enablers. LTE and 5G networks have gained recognition as an all-inclusive critical communications platform and are nearing the point where they can fully replace legacy LMR systems with a future-proof transition path, supplemented by additional 5G features, such as 5G MBS/5MBS (5G Multicast-Broadcast Services) for MCX services in high-density environments, 5G NR sidelink for off-network communications, VMRs (Vehicle-Mounted Relays), MWAB (Mobile gNB With Wireless Access Backhauling), satellite NTN (Non-Terrestrial Network) integration, and support for lower 5G NR bandwidths in dedicated frequency bands for PPDR, utilities, and railways.

SNS Telecom & IT’s “LTE & 5G for Critical Communications: 2025 – 2030” research publication projects that global investments in mission-critical 3GPP networks and associated applications reached $5.4 billion in 2025. Driven by public safety broadband, defense communications, smart grid modernization, FRMCS, and IIoT initiatives, the market is expected to grow at a CAGR of approximately 19% over the next three years, eventually accounting for more than $9.2 billion by the end of 2028. Looking ahead to 2030, the industry will be underpinned by operational deployments ranging from sub-1 GHz wide area networks for national-scale MCX services, utility communications, and GSM-R replacement to systems operating in mid-band spectrum such as Band n101 (1.9 GHz) and Band n79 (4.4-5 GHz), as well as mmWave (Millimeter Wave) frequencies for specialized applications. For more information, please visit: https://www.snstelecom.com/lte-for-critical-communications.

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About SNS Telecom & IT

SNS Telecom & IT is a global market intelligence and consulting firm with a primary focus on the telecommunications and information technology industries. Developed by in-house subject matter experts, our market intelligence and research reports provide unique insights on both established and emerging technologies. Our areas of coverage include but are not limited to 6G, 5G, LTE, Open RAN, vRAN, small cells, mobile core, xHaul transport, network automation, mobile operator services, FWA, neutral host networks, private 4G/5G cellular networks, public safety broadband, critical communications, MCX, IIoT, V2X communications, and vertical applications.