Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2025 is fast approaching, and ABI Research will be there once again to witness the latest innovations shaping the future of mobile technology. Based on numerous pre-briefings ahead of Barcelona, our analysts are calling the most dramatic shift in MWC's history: watch the telecoms industry finally shed its old skin. Computing and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are not just joining the party, they are taking over the entire show.
We often take cellular connectivity for granted. Without it, we can’t text our friends, access email, or contact emergency services. For enterprises, a lack of mobile coverage means software tools are deemed worthless, vital communications get shut down, and operations come to a halt. Unfortunately, it’s not always possible to deliver fiber-based broadband due to geographical constraints and outdated infrastructure. Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) is a key connectivity solution that addresses these challenges as it does not require physical cable installation in a home or business.
Mobile network data traffic is projected to nearly triple by 2030, requiring a shift toward high-performing, programmable networks powered by openness and cloud technologies. This evolution enables service providers to offer performance based services rather than relying solely on data volume. Establishing a strong foundation for network evolution is essential for driving 5G business growth.
The telecommunications landscape is rapidly evolving as 5G expands and networks are becoming more complicated. Passive cellular antennas have traditionally been viewed as static infrastructure; however, they are now changing because operators want antennas to be designed for specific deployment contexts, such as crowded rooftops, energy reduction, and the need to blend into the built environment. In turn, vendors are providing compact designs that include multiple functions and perform across multiple frequency layers.
In this blog, we list nine passive cellular antenna vendors based on ABI Research's latest comparative analysis, focusing on their unique strengths, product capabilities, sustainability efforts, and market performance. These companies are the market incumbents, big players like Huawei, PROSE, Ericsson, CICT Mobile, and Hengxin Technology.
Then we follow that up with an evaluation of six lesser-known antenna vendors that provide advanced passive antenna solutions for mobile and fixed wireless networks. This company list may not be as widely renowned as the market incumbents, but they are nevertheless recognized for technical competency within the telecom industry.
The year 2024 provided numerous technology trends shaping the future of nearly every industry. ABI Research analysts have been covering these developments for some time, and now it’s time to reflect upon our studies in our annual trends whitepaper. Before we dive into the list, here’s a statement from Stuart Carlaw, Chief Research Officer:
In the evolving landscape of telecommunications, Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC) is emerging as a cornerstone technology that aims to transform how networks operate and serve mobile users. As part of the upcoming 6G era and IMT-2030 vision, ISAC holds immense potential to revolutionize cellular network capabilities. It combines communication functions with precise sensing, positioning, and tracking.
Antenna optimization plays a vital role in an ever-connected world. With 5G adoption and data generation skyrocketing, optimizing network performance is top-of-mind for enterprises and industries. Although 5G offers unprecedented bandwidth capacities and unlocks new use cases, it also requires 3X more energy to match the same coverage as a 4G/Long Term Evolution (LTE) network. Therefore, the telecommunications industry craves innovative ways to squeeze more network performance from less hardware.
Working in a competitive industry demands that you become a data-driven organization. As a technology solution provider, effectively leveraging data can unlock significant advantages, such as driving market expansion and fostering innovation. Unfortunately, all too many companies lack an analytical approach to decision-making.
Over the years, the telecommunications industry has experienced growing demand for a more open Radio Access Network (RAN) architecture that promotes interoperability between different vendor components. Vendors’ answer to this demand is the advent of End-to-End (E2E), cloud-native Open RAN solutions, which means mobile service providers no longer have to worry about vendor lock-in. While still in its infancy—accounting for just 6% to 8% of the total RAN market by the end of 2024—Open RAN holds immense potential, and huge vendor names are capitalizing on this. A recent ABI analysis indicates that 42% of the global RAN automation market will be tied to Open RAN deployments by 2029.