C-RAN Market Size, Share and Growth Analysis Report - Forecast Trends and Outlook (2025-2034)

The global C-RAN market size reached around USD 19.77 Billion in 2024. The market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 18.20% between 2025 and 2034 to reach nearly USD 105.24 Billion by 2034.

Global C-RAN Market Growth

In 2023, the global adoption of 5G connections experienced significant growth, reaching a total of 1.76 billion, with an increase of 700 million, as reported by 5G Americas. The increasing demand for C-RAN is intricately linked to the worldwide implementation of 5G technology. The requirements of 5G necessitate faster and more efficient networks that can manage large volumes of data while delivering low-latency services. C-RAN provides a centralised framework that facilitates the effective management of network resources, which is essential for meeting the high bandwidth and performance standards of 5G. By centralising baseband processing, C-RAN minimises the number of physical base stations, thereby reducing operational expenses and enhancing scalability.

As per the C-RAN market analysis, as of 2024, there are 3.3 billion global IoT subscriptions, in addition to 6.7 billion smartphone subscriptions. Projections indicate that by 2028, IoT subscriptions will rise to 5 billion, while smartphone subscriptions are expected to reach 8 billion, highlighting the increasing interconnectivity of the digital landscape. The growing demand for C-RAN is fuelled by the widespread adoption of IoT technologies and the escalating use of smartphones. These advancements produce substantial volumes of data, necessitating a robust and scalable network infrastructure. The centralised design of C-RAN effectively manages this data traffic, providing low-latency, high-performance connectivity that meets the evolving requirements of IoT devices and mobile users.

Key Trends and Developments

The C-RAN market growth can be attributed to the rising adoption of 5G networks, growing focus on cost reduction among network operators, improved network performance offered by C-RAN, and increased network stability due to the expansion of C-RAN

August 2024

Ericsson and Turkcell achieved a successful trial deployment of Ericsson's 5G Cloud RAN technology. This positions Turkcell among the pioneering communications service providers globally to experiment with this innovative technology. The implementation of Ericsson's 5G Cloud RAN aims to provide Turkcell with enhanced flexibility and scalability within its network, facilitating a more rapid introduction of next-generation services.

February 2024

Ericsson and O2 Telefónica announced their intention to implement Cloud RAN, aimed at supporting 5G Standalone (SA), in Offenbach, Germany, during the first half of 2024. This initiative represents the inaugural deployment of Ericsson Cloud RAN in Europe. The collaboration aims to utilise cutting-edge advancements in virtualisation and cloud technologies, thereby enhancing flexibility, accelerating service delivery, and improving network scalability.

January 2024

Nokia and etisalat by e& (Etisalat) successfully conducted the inaugural trial of Cloud RAN in the MEA region, featuring In-Line acceleration on Hewlett Packard Enterprise’s (HPE) ProLiant DL110 Gen11. This trial is designed to enhance the 5G experience for end users, leveraging etisalat by e&’s current mid-band carrier in the n78 (3.5GHz) spectrum within its 5G standalone network.

July 2023

Australian telecommunications provider, Telstra, collaborated with Ericsson to introduce Cloud RAN infrastructure within its commercial 5G network. The implementation of Ericsson's Cloud RAN is now active at several locations, including the Gold Coast in Queensland. This initiative has involved the transition of two carrier frequencies, 2600MHz and 3600MHz, to the Cloud RAN framework.

Rising Adoption of 5G Network

One of the notable C-RAN market trends is the rising adoption of 5G networks. The centralised design of C-RAN improves the efficiency of 5G networks by facilitating higher speeds, minimising latency, and streamlining network management.

Growing Focus on Cost Efficiency Among Network Operators

C-RAN contributes to lowering operational expenses by integrating baseband processing functions into a centralised cloud system. This consolidation diminishes the necessity for numerous physical base stations, resulting in considerable cost reductions for network operators and enhancing return on investment.

Increased Network Stability Offered by C-RAN

C-RAN provides a versatile and scalable framework, enabling telecommunications providers to effortlessly expand and upgrade their network infrastructure in response to rising data demands. The centralised structure simplifies the process of network upgrades, thereby enhancing operational efficiency.

Improved Network Performance Amid the Expansion of C-RAN

By centralising data processing, C-RAN mitigates interference, optimises load balancing, and boosts overall network performance. This results in more dependable service, improved cell coordination, and superior quality of service throughout the network.

Global C-RAN Market Trends

The market is witnessing significant expansion, propelled by the surging demand for high-speed and low-latency connectivity. C-RAN facilitates the centralisation of baseband processing for network operators, leading to enhanced efficiency, lower operational expenses, and streamlined network management. As telecommunications companies seek solutions to manage the increasing data traffic generated by mobile devices and the Internet of Things (IoT), C-RAN provides both scalability and adaptability. Its cloud-based framework supports quicker upgrades and more efficient resource allocation. Additionally, the incorporation of virtualisation, edge computing, and cloud technologies improves overall network performance, promoting swift adoption. The C-RAN market is anticipated to maintain its growth trajectory, driven by the escalating demand for sophisticated mobile services, cloud integration, and network densification across various sectors.

Global C-RAN Industry Segmentation

The report titled “Global C-Ran Market Report and Forecast 2025-2034” offers a detailed analysis of the market based on the following segments:

Market Breakup by Architecture Type:

• Centralised-RAN
• Virtualised/Cloud RAN

Market Breakup by Component:

• Infrastructure
• Software
• Services

Market Breakup by Network Type:

• 2G/3G
• 4G
• 5G

Market Breakup by Deployment Model:

• Indoor
• Outdoor

Market Breakup by Region:

• North America
• Europe
• Asia Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East and Africa

Global C-RAN Market Share

Based on the architecture type, the market is segmented into centralised-RAN and virtualised/cloud RAN. The centralised-RAN segment is projected to grow at a CAGR of 19.8% during the forecast period of 2025-2034. Centralised-RAN represents a network architecture that consolidates baseband processing within a cloud-based data center. This approach enhances operational efficiency, lowers expenses, and facilitates improved coordination for mobile networks, particularly in the context of 5G technology.

Leading Companies in the Global C-RAN Market

Major players are focusing on the adoption of advanced technologies to gain a competitive edge in the market.

Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.

Established in 1987 and headquartered in Shenzhen, China, Huawei stands as a prominent global supplier of telecommunications equipment and consumer electronics, which encompasses smartphones and networking devices.

Cisco Systems, Inc.

Founded in 1984 and headquartered in San Jose, California, United States, Cisco is dedicated to networking hardware, software, and telecommunications equipment, providing solutions that facilitate and secure internet connectivity.

Intel Corporation

Established in 1968 and headquartered in Santa Clara, California, United States, Intel is a global corporation recognised for its design and production of semiconductor chips, including processors utilised in computers and various electronic devices.

Mavenir Systems, Inc

Founded in 2005 and headquartered in Richardson, Texas, United States, Mavenir is a prominent company in the telecommunications sector, focusing on cloud-native solutions for mobile network operators, with an emphasis on 5G and Open RAN technologies.

Other major players in the C-RAN market are NEC Corporation, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Nokia Corporation, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., Fujitsu Limited, and Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson, among others.