Global Wireless Capital Expenditure Flat at US$194 Billion in 2015 with 5G Capital Planning in Sight

image
06 Aug 2015

​ABI Research believes global wireless capital expenditure (CAPEX) will remain flat in 2015, due to strong U.S. dollar impact on the purchase power of mobile operators and the regional unrest in Middle East and North African regions.

As compared to 2014, ABI Research forecasts a slight decline of 0.6% in global CAPEX. North American operators such as AT&T and Verizon are expecting the percentage of CAPEX to revenue to decline in 2015. “As LTE reaches universal coverage in North America, operators focus on network densification and user experience optimization. The FCC’s Net Neutrality and Title II classifications also negatively impact the investment sentiment of network operators,” comments Lian Jye Su, Research Analyst, ABI Research. On the other hand, operators from Europe, Middle East and Africa are committed to their network upgrades and will drive future growth as they target the global enterprise market.

Wireless networks are increasingly heterogeneous and layered, virtualized, software-defined, cloud-based, and self-organizing. As multiple operators, such as Vodafone, Singtel, MegaFon, and Softbank, are currently testing 5G technology, ABI Research forecasts 5G to start around 2020, with capital expenditures anticipating 5G starts a few years ahead. ABI Research believes the spending will be less on macro basestations and more on small cells and small cell clusters. Just as the deployment of LTE has demonstrated a lesser degree of complexity as compared to the deployment of 3G, the deployment of 5G will involve less major hardware swap-outs but rather will be more modular and software centric. Likewise, the CAPEX in the percentage of revenue shall remain stable or even decline.

ABI Research’s study, Mobile Operator CAPEX market data focuses on the regional and global mobile operator capital expenditure, which includes basestation, and core network spend. It is part of ABI Research’s Network Market Tracker Market Research.

ABI Research provides technology market research and technology intelligence for industry innovators. 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.

About ABI Research

ABI Research is a global technology intelligence firm uniquely positioned at the intersection of technology solution providers and end-market companies. We serve as the bridge that seamlessly connects these two segments by providing exclusive research and expert guidance to drive successful technology implementations and deliver strategies proven to attract and retain customers.

ABI Research 是一家全球性的技术情报公司,拥有得天独厚的优势,充当终端市场公司和技术解决方案提供商之间的桥梁,通过提供独家研究和专业性指导,推动成功的技术实施和提供经证明可吸引和留住客户的战略,无缝连接这两大主体。

For more information about ABI Research’s services, contact us at +1.516.624.2500 in the Americas, +44.203.326.0140 in Europe, +65.6592.0290 in Asia-Pacific, or visit www.abiresearch.com.

Contact ABI Research

Media Contacts

Americas: +1.516.624.2542
Europe: +44.(0).203.326.0142
Asia: +65 6950.5670

Related Service