Ericsson Leads Core Network Derby with 30% Share, as Competitors Reach for the NFV/SDN Whip to Close the Gap

ABI Research finds Ericsson continues to pull away from the pack in core network infrastructure in Q4 2012, with Nokia Siemens Networks and Cisco leading the rest of the field. Ericsson has steadily increased its 2012 market share in the core network infrastructure to 29%. With Nokia Siemens Networks and Cisco completing the Trifecta, over 55% of total market share is locked in.

The Mobile Packet Data Core Network infrastructure market is forecast to reach $2B in 2014 reflecting the continuing market demand for mobile broadband Internet everywhere, all the time. “The unprecedented market dynamic of 3G and 4G mobile broadband is driving both capacity expansion and network deployment,” says Joe Hoffman, principal analyst at ABI Research. “Ericsson’s nearly 30% lead in core network seems unassailable, but there is still a lot of track ahead, and the race will tighten up as vendors aggressively rollout NFV/SDN in the back stretch.”

Continued growth in Mobile Packet Core Infrastructure is expected through 2016 when first movers complete the initial CapEx depreciation cycle. The adoption of NFV/SDN could change the order of things, resulting in a reordering of market share. This is the inflection point where new vendors can enter, and trailing vendors can catch up. The appearance of low cost smartphones and policy enabled pricing creativity will continue to sustain the demand for mobile broadband infrastructure at Tier 3 and Tier 4 markets.

These findings are part of ABI Research’s Software Defined Networking & NFV Research Service, which includes Research Reports, Market Data, and Insights.

ABI Research provides in-depth analysis and quantitative forecasting of trends in global connectivity and other emerging technologies. From offices in North America, Europe and Asia, ABI Research’s worldwide team of experts advises thousands of decision makers through 70+ research and advisory services. Est. 1990. For more information visit www.abiresearch.com, or call +1.516.624.2500.