Virtualized Evolved Packet Core Market Report 2026

The virtualized evolved packet core market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $7.9 billion in 2025 to $9.35 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18.4%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to deployment of 4g lte networks, adoption of early virtualization technologies, increasing demand for scalable mobile network solutions, rising mobile data traffic, development of enterprise connectivity solutions.

The virtualized evolved packet core market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $18.19 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18.1%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to expansion of 5g networks, integration with cloud-native architectures, increasing adoption of nfv for cost optimization, growth in iot and m2m connectivity, rising demand for real-time data analytics and qos monitoring. Major trends in the forecast period include cloud-based evolved packet core solutions, network function virtualization (nfv) implementation, traffic management and optimization, security solutions for mobile networks, data analytics and qos monitoring.

The continuous increase in mobile data traffic is expected to support the expansion of the virtualized evolved packet core market. Mobile data traffic refers to the total volume of data transmitted across mobile communication networks. Growth in mobile data traffic is driven by widespread adoption of 4G and 5G networks, rising smartphone usage, and increased consumption of video streaming and social media content. Virtualized evolved packet core (vEPC) solutions are critical for managing this traffic by allowing network operators to scale resources efficiently and optimize network performance to meet high-speed data demands. For example, in November 2023, according to Ericsson, a Sweden-based telecommunications company, mobile data traffic was projected to increase by 20%-30% annually in multiple regions over the coming years. Accordingly, rising mobile data usage is supporting growth in the vEPC market.

Leading companies operating in the virtualized evolved packet core market are developing single packet core (SPC) technology to enhance network efficiency and enable seamless connectivity across multiple generations of mobile networks. Single packet core (SPC) technology is a unified architecture that manages voice and data services across 2G, 3G, and 4G networks, ensuring efficient and consistent network performance. For example, in August 2024, Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd., a China-based telecommunications equipment and services provider, and Orange Egypt Telecommunications SAE, an Egypt-based telecommunications services company, launched the country’s first bare-metal container for mobile networks incorporating single packet core technology. This advanced solution supports 2G, 3G, and 4G networks and delivers enhanced virtual evolved packet core capabilities, contributing to Egypt’s Vision 2030 infrastructure modernization initiatives.

In April 2024, Lumine Group, a Canada-based company that develops and markets communications and media software, acquired the Axyom Cloud Native 5G Core Software and RAN assets from Casa Systems for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition enables Lumine Group to expand its cloud-native 5G technology portfolio, particularly in core network functions and radio access network capabilities. Casa Systems is a US-based provider of virtualized evolved packet core systems.

Major companies operating in the virtualized evolved packet core market are Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., Dell Technologies Inc., Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd., Intel Corporation, Cisco Systems Inc., Broadcom Inc., Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company, Fujitsu Limited, Tata Consultancy Services Limited, Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson, Nokia Corporation, NEC Corporation, ZTE Corporation, CommScope Holding Company Inc., Keysight Technologies Inc., Juniper Networks Inc., Amdocs Limited, Ciena Corporation, Infinera Corporation, Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise (ALE International SAS), Mavenir Systems Inc., Radisys Corporation, Casa Systems Inc., Affirmed Networks Inc., ASOCS Ltd.

North America was the largest region in the virtualized evolved packet core market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the virtualized evolved packet core market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the virtualized evolved packet core market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

Tariffs have influenced the virtualized evolved packet core market by increasing the cost of importing servers, high-performance network hardware, and specialized telecom components required for cloud-based and on-premises vEPC solutions. Segments such as LTE, VoLTE, and IoT network deployments are most affected, particularly in regions including North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific that rely on imported equipment. The increased costs can slow network upgrades and expansion projects for telecom operators and enterprises. However, tariffs have encouraged investment in domestic manufacturing, local data centers, and regional supply chains, driving innovation in cost-efficient vEPC solutions. Companies are also adopting hybrid sourcing strategies to mitigate tariff impacts while maintaining network performance and service quality.

The virtualized evolved packet core market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides virtualized evolved packet core market statistics, including virtualized evolved packet core industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a virtualized evolved packet core market share, detailed virtualized evolved packet core market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the virtualized evolved packet core industry. This virtualized evolved packet core market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

A virtualized evolved packet core (vEPC) is a mobile network architecture that utilizes network function virtualization (NFV) to enhance the capabilities of the evolved packet core (EPC). The EPC, essential for LTE and 5G networks, manages data traffic, user sessions, quality of service (QoS), and connectivity to the internet and other networks. vEPC enables mobile network operators to efficiently manage and deliver services across multiple generations of mobile technology, such as 4G and 5G, by virtualizing core network functions typically found in dedicated hardware.

The main components of a virtualized evolved packet core include solutions and services. Solutions refer to the software and platforms that allow telecom operators to manage their core network functions virtually. Deployment modes for vEPC include cloud and on-premises options. vEPC supports various applications such as long-term evolution (LTE), voice-over long-term evolution (VTE), the internet of things (IoT), machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, the most probable number (MPN), and mobile virtual network operators (MVNO). These solutions cater to different end users, including telecom operators and enterprises.

The virtualized evolved packet core market consists of revenues earned by entities by providing services such as deploying and managing virtualized network functions, cloud-based core solutions, network optimization, and ongoing support for mobile network infrastructure. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. The virtualized evolved packet core market also includes sales of hardware, servers, storage, network infrastructure, and network management tools. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is, the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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