Frost & Sullivan defines 5G network infrastructure to include radio access networks (RAN), transport networks, and core networks (which may include one or more edge networks).
5G introduces many disruptive technologies, from new chips and devices to new network architectures, that impact all areas of network infrastructure. The promise of 5G for consumers and enterprise is huge, as is the impact to communications service providers (CSPs) and their suppliers. Growth opportunities abound. The 5G core and edge networks are now entirely cloud-based. The 5G RAN is moving to the cloud and beginning to explore open interfaces, which introduces potential new suppliers to the market. The 5G transport networks tie together the RAN , the edge, and the core. Functions from the core network and from the RAN network are moving to edge networks to reduce latency and enable new use cases.
In a field of more than 100 global industry participants, Frost & Sullivan independently plotted the top 20 companies in this Frost Radar™ analysis. These companies lead the market overall, lead a segment of the overall market, or are thought leaders in certain segments of the market. The 5G network infrastructure market is emerging and built upon the established 4G network infrastructure market; therefore, it is unsurprising that market leaders from 4G place highly in the 5G market.
The architecture of 5G brings the possibility of many suppliers working together in each area of network infrastructure; in other words, the core network is likely not from a single supplier, but from many suppliers each providing one or more network functions. This opens the market to new suppliers. Increased competitive intensity raises the level of innovation.
The Frost Radar™ reveals the market positioning of companies in an industry using their Growth and Innovation scores as highlighted in the Frost Radar™ methodology. The document presents competitive profiles on each of the companies in the Frost Radar™ based on their strengths, opportunities, and a small discussion on their positioning. Frost & Sullivan analyzes hundreds of companies in an industry and benchmarks them across 10 criteria on the Frost Radar™, where the leading companies in the industry are then positioned.
Author: Troy Morley

Strategic Imperative
Strategic Imperative (continued)
Growth Environment
Frost Radar™: Global 5G Network Infrastructure Market
Frost Radar™: Competitive Environment
Frost Radar™: Competitive Environment (continued)
ADTRAN
Affirmed Networks, a Microsoft Company
Altiostar Networks
Aviat Networks
Casa Systems
Ciena
Cisco
Ericsson
Fujitsu
HPE
Huawei
Infinera
JMA Wireless
Mavenir
Nokia
Parallel Wireless
Radisys
Ribbon Communications
Samsung
ZTE
Strategic Insights
Significance of Being on the Frost Radar™
Frost Radar™ Empowers the CEO’s Growth Team
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Frost Radar™: Benchmarking Future Growth Potential
Frost Radar™: Benchmarking Future Growth Potential
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Frost Radar™: Benchmarking Future Growth Potential 2 Major Indices, 10 Analytical Ingredients, 1 Platform
Growth Index
Growth Index (GI) is a measure of a company’s growth performance and track record, along with its ability to develop and execute a fully aligned growth strategy and vision; a robust growth pipeline system; and effective market, competitor, and end-user focused sales and marketing strategies.
- Market Share (previous 3 years)
This is a comparison of a company’s market share relative to its competitors in a given market space for the previous 3 years. - Revenue Growth (previous 3 years)
This is a look at a company’s revenue growth rate for the previous 3 years in the market/industry/category that forms the context for the given Frost Radar™. - Growth Pipeline
This is an evaluation of the strength and leverage of a company’s growth pipeline system to continuously capture, analyze, and prioritize its universe of growth opportunities. - Vision and Strategy
This is an assessment of how well a company’s growth strategy is aligned with its vision. Are the investments that a company is making in new products and markets consistent with the stated vision? - Sales and Marketing
This is a measure of the effectiveness of a company’s sales and marketing efforts in helping it drive demand and achieve its growth objectives.
Innovation Index
Innovation Index (II) is a measure of a company’s ability to develop products/ services/ solutions (with a clear understanding of disruptive Mega Trends) that are globally applicable, are able to evolve and expand to serve multiple markets and are aligned to customers’ changing needs.
- INNOVATION SCALABILITY
This determines whether an organization’s innovations are globally scalable and applicable in both developing and mature markets, and also in adjacent and non-adjacent industry verticals. - RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
This is a measure of the efficacy of a company’s R&D strategy, as determined by the size of its R&D investment and how it feeds the innovation pipeline. - PRODUCT PORTFOLIO
This is a measure of a company’s product portfolio, focusing on the relative contribution of new products to its annual revenue. - MEGATRENDS LEVERAGE
This is an assessment of a company’s proactive leverage of evolving, long-term opportunities and new business models, as the foundation of its innovation pipeline. - CUSTOMER ALIGNMENT
This evaluates the applicability of a company’s products/services/solutions to current and potential customers, as well as how its innovation strategy is influenced by evolving customer needs.
Significance of Being on the Frost Radar™
Companies plotted on the Frost RadarTM are the leaders in the industry for growth, innovation, or both. They are instrumental in advancing the industry into the future.
- GROWTH POTENTIAL
Your organization has significant future growth potential, which makes it a Company to Action. - BEST PRACTICES
Your organization is well positioned to shape Growth Pipeline™ best practices in your industry. - COMPETITIVE INTENSITY
Your organization is one of the key drivers of competitive intensity in the growth environment. - CUSTOMER VALUE
Your organization has demonstrated the ability to significantly enhance its customer value proposition. - PARTNER POTENTIAL
Your organization is top of mind for customers, investors, value chain partners, and future talent as a significant value provider.
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| Deliverable Type | Frost Radar |
|---|---|
| No Index | No |
| Podcast | No |
| Author | Troy Morley |
| Industries | Telecom |
| WIP Number | K584-01-00-00-00 |
| Keyword 1 | 5g infrastructure market |
| Keyword 2 | 5g network infrastructure |
| Keyword 3 | 5g technology market |
| Is Prebook | No |
| GPS Codes | 9705-C1,9657 |
Frost Radar™: 5G Network Infrastructure Market, 2020
A Benchmarking System to Spark Companies to Action - Innovation That Fuels New Deal Flow and Growth Pipelines
12-Jan-2021
North America
Frost Radar
