ABI Research Coverage of Qualcomm Inc

Open RAN is picking up traction and commercial interest in 2023, as operators consider implementing the technology for their new and existing 5G networks. In the meantime, 5G deployments have matured in consumer markets and mobile operators are looking toward their next wave of monetization, given 5G's global reach. While Open RAN equipment is becoming more commercially available, energy consumption is not yet a buzzworthy topic, perhaps due to the dominance of legacy infrastructure vendors and Open RAN radios not yet deployed on a large scale. This study focuses on the radio layer, aiming to compare both radios (Remote Radio Units) (RRUs)) and Massive MIMO units (Active Antenna Units (AAUs)).

This whitepaper examines the catalysts for this home networking revolution, including shifting consumer habits, the demand for fresh experiences, rapid technological innovation, the challenges broadband operators are currently facing, and the need for operators to open up additional revenue streams.

Retailers are increasingly looking towards Internet of Things (IoT) technologies to help them deliver operational efficiencies, increase conversion, and to encourage customers to return to stores in the post-COVID-19 landscape. Use cases such as asset tracking, automated checkout experiences, Electronic Shelf Labels (ESLs), inventory management, and proximity services, among many others, will combine to enable this digital transformation

As the smartphone market continues its speedy transition to 5G, it becomes increasingly obvious that the design of Radio Frequency (RF) systems and the choice of appropriate RF Front End (RFFE) components will become key for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to differentiate their products. The goal of this report is to bring further evidence of the growing complexity of smartphone RF design and why system design across multiple air interfaces is key to enhancing the overall performance of smartphones, helping OEMs accelerate time to innovation.

The 5G smartphone market is set to rapidly expand in the next 12 months, with many mobile vendors looking to quickly develop their 5G portfolios. It is anticipated that 5G will increase more aggressively compared to 4G to become the most accelerated mobile technology generation ever launched, despite any lag in demand that may be caused by the outbreak of COVID-19 and the ongoing U.S.-China trade dispute. This landmark growth includes a seismic shift to lower price points in 2020, which will greatly increase the global addressable market for 5G. However, a host of extremely complex challenges lie ahead for smartphone vendors to overcome if this 5G demand explosion across all tiers is to be fully realized.

Open RAN can become a disruptive trend that will move the telco infrastructure market from a static, vertical market with few players using proprietary solutions to a dynamic, horizontal market with a multitude of players, similar to the innovative, dynamic, and well-established Personal Computer (PC) and cloud computing markets.