Gartner Research

Critical Capabilities for 5G Network Infrastructure for Communications Service Providers, Macrocell

Published: 27 February 2023

Summary

5G vendors’ capabilities differ across three 5G macrocell modernization use cases. CSP CIOs and tech executives, including CTOs, can use this research to choose a vendor with capabilities that best match their 5G network transformation requirements and sourcing strategies.

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Overview

Key Findings
  • Communications service providers’ (CSPs’) 5G macrocell planning and deployment is currently driven mainly by consumer business needs, focusing on better network experience and coverage by reusing legacy 4G investments. This is the main market for incumbent vendors in 2023.

  • There are two major vendor categories: One group can design and develop its own chipsets for its 5G macrocell equipment and consists of mainly incumbent vendors. The other group tries to disrupt/innovate the market by promoting the emerging Open radio access network (RAN) and virtualized RAN (vRAN).

  • Open RAN and vRAN are in the early stages of adoption by the telecom

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  • Ericsson
  • Fujitsu
  • Huawei
  • Mavenir
  • MTI
  • NEC
  • Nokia
  • Rakuten Symphony
  • Samsung
  • ZTE
  • Network Capacity
  • TCO Reduction
  • Open RAN
  • Multioperator Support
  • Multiple Radio Spectrum Support
  • Product Variety
  • 3GPP New Feature Supports
  • Single RAN
  • vRAN Software Features
  • Multiple NFV/Cloud-Native Platform
  • Macrocell Radio Units
  • BBU Products
  • vBBU Products

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Critical Capabilities: A deeper look into provider offerings

How does a Critical Capabilities report work?

As a companion to the Magic Quadrant™, a Critical Capabilities report scores competing products and services against a set of meaningful differentiators. It reveals which options are the best fit in various use cases to help you focus on the vendors best suited to your needs.

A Critical Capabilities report is more than just a diagram. You also get:

Sharper focus

Narrow down the product and service criteria most important to you.

Individualized use cases

Use interactive features to customize usage scenarios based on your organization’s unique needs.

Faster decision making

Use data to speed up provider selection and accelerate the procurement process.

A Gartner Critical Capabilities report is just one of our many offerings.

We provide actionable, objective insight to help organizations make smarter, faster technology decisions to stay ahead of disruption and accelerate growth.

Pick the right provider with confidence

We use a Critical Capabilities report, the Magic Quadrant and more to ensure you select the best-fit provider to avoid the costly repercussions of a poor decision.

Align deal structures and optimize spend

We benchmark pricing against the market so you avoid unnecessary charges.

Reduce complexity and risk

We analyze contract terms and conditions to protect you against future price increases and unanticipated costs.

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