Embedded Files
Release Date: September 2025 (To be Published)
Number of Pages: 220
Number of Tables and Figures: 86
Synopsis: vRAN (Virtualized Radio Access Network) refers to a RAN (Radio Access Network) implementation where some or all baseband functions are separated from the remote radio unit and run as VNFs (Virtualized Network Functions) on commodity hardware. This approach results in multiple operational benefits including but not limited to TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) reduction, performance gains and scalability. In addition, vRAN enables mobile operators to future-proof their networks for 5G upgrades.
The vRAN market is presently at a nascent stage with most investments focused on virtualized small cells for targeted greenfield deployments and pilot engagements for macrocell coverage. However, as mobile operators realize the benefits of RAN virtualization, the market is expected to grow at a CAGR of approximately 125% over the next three year period. By the end of 2020, SNS Research estimates that vRAN deployments will account for a market worth $2.6 Billion.
The “vRAN (Virtualized Radio Access Network) Ecosystem: 2017 – 2030 – Opportunities, Challenges, Strategies & Forecasts” report presents an in-depth assessment of the vRAN ecosystem including enabling technologies, key trends, market drivers, challenges, standardization, collaborative initiatives, regulatory landscape, deployment models, operator case studies, opportunities, future roadmap, value chain, ecosystem player profiles and strategies. The report also presents forecasts for vRAN investments from 2017 till 2030. The forecasts cover multiple submarkets and 6 regions.
The report comes with an associated Excel datasheet suite covering quantitative data from all numeric forecasts presented in the report.
Sample Request:
For a Sample and Table of Contents please contact info@snstelecom.com
Pricing:
The report is available for the following price:
Single User License: USD 2,500
Company Wide License: USD 3,500
Key Findings:
The report has the following key findings:
vRAN investments are expected to grow at a CAGR of approximately 125% over the next three year period. By the end of 2020, SNS Research estimates that vRAN deployments will account for a market worth $2.6 Billion.
At present, most vRAN investments are focused on virtualized small cells for targeted greenfield deployments and pilot engagements for macrocell coverage.
Mobile operators are exploring multiple baseband functional split options for vRAN implementation, as they seek to ease the transition to 5G networks while reducing fronthaul costs.
The ongoing 5G race is expected to significantly boost vRAN investments over the coming years. SNS Research estimates that approximately $900 Million of all vRAN investments will be directed towards 5G networks by the end of 2020.
Topics Covered:
The report covers the following topics:
vRAN ecosystem
Market drivers and barriers
vRAN architecture and key functional elements
Baseband functional splitting for vRAN implementation
Fronthaul networking technologies and interface options
Key trends including RAN slicing, RANaaS (RAN as a Service), neutral hosting and MEC (Mobile Edge Computing)
TCO comparison between vRAN and conventional RAN architectures
vRAN deployment models including Cloud RAN and virtualized small cells
Mobile operator case studies
Regulatory landscape, collaborative initiatives and standardization
Industry roadmap and value chain
Profiles and strategies of over 60 leading ecosystem players including vRAN solution providers
Strategic recommendations for ecosystem players including vRAN solution providers and mobile operators
Market analysis and forecasts from 2017 till 2030
Forecast Segmentation:
Market forecasts are provided for each of the following submarkets and their subcategories:
Submarkets
vRAN Radio Units
vBBUs (Virtualized Baseband Units)
Air Interface Technology Segmentation
LTE & 3G
5G NR (New Radio)
Deployment Model Segmentation
Virtualized Small Cells
Virtualized Macrocells
Regional Markets
Asia Pacific
Eastern Europe
Middle East & Africa
Latin & Central America
North America
Western Europe
Key Questions Answered:
The report provides answers to the following key questions:
How big is the vRAN opportunity?
What trends, challenges and barriers are influencing its growth?
How is the ecosystem evolving by segment and region?
What will the market size be in 2020 and at what rate will it grow?
Which submarkets will see the highest percentage of growth?
Is centralization a pre-requisite for vRAN implementation?
What are the benefits and drawbacks of each baseband functional split option?
How can vRAN reduce the TCO of RAN deployments?
How can mobile operators future-proof their RAN investments for 5G upgrades?
Who are the key market players and what are their strategies?
What strategies should vRAN solution providers and mobile operators adopt to remain competitive?
Companies & Organizations Mentioned:
The following companies and organizations have been reviewed, discussed or mentioned in the report:
3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project)
6WIND
ADLINK Technology
Advantech
Airspan Networks
Altiostar Networks
Amarisoft
Argela
Aricent
ARM Holdings
Artemis Networks
Artesyn Embedded Technologies
ASOCS
ASTRI (Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute)
Broadband Forum
Broadcom
BT Group
Casa Systems
Cavium
China Mobile
China Unicom
Cisco Systems
Clavister
Cobham Wireless
Comcores
CommAgility
CommScope
Contela
Dali Wireless
Dell Technologies
DT (Deutsche Telekom)
eASIC Corporation
EBlink
EE
Ericsson
ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute)
EURECOM
Fujitsu
Hitachi
HPE (Hewlett Packard Enterprise)
Huawei
IBM Corporation
IDT (Integrated Device Technology)
IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers)
Intel Corporation
ip.access
IS-Wireless
ITU (International Telecommunications Union)
JMA Wireless
Kathrein-Werke KG
KT Corporation
Linux Foundation
MEF (Metro Ethernet Forum)
Mellanox Technologies
Microsemi Corporation
Mitel Mobility
Mobiveil
MontaVista Software
MTI Mobile
NEC Corporation
NGMN (Next Generation Mobile Networks) Alliance
Nokia
Nokia Networks
Nokia Technologies
NTT Communications
NTT DoCoMo
NXP Semiconductors
Octasic
ON.Lab (Open Networking Lab)
ONF (Open Networking Foundation)
Orange
OSA (OpenAirInterface Software Alliance)
Parallel Wireless
Phluido
Qualcomm
Quortus
Radisys Corporation
Ranzure Networks
Rearden
Red Hat
Samsung Electronics
SCF (Small Cell Forum)
SK Telecom
SoftBank Group
SOLiD (SOLiD Technologies)
SpiderCloud Wireless
Sprint Corporation
Sumitomo Electric Industries
Sunnada (Fujian Sunnada Communication Company)
Sunwave Communications
Telecom Italia Group
Telefónica Group
TI (Texas Instruments)
TIM (Telecom Italia Mobile)
Vodafone Group
Vodafone Hutchison Australia
Vodafone Italy
Xilinx
xRAN Consortium
Xura
ZTE
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