RF for Private Network 2023

• Glossary
• Report’s objectives
• Scope of the report
• Identity Card
• Why this report?
• Methodologies & definition
• About the authors
• Companies cited*
• 3 Page summary
• Executive summary
• Context And Key Concept
  • Introduction
  • Definitions
• Market forecasts
  • System Forecast
  • Small Cells RF Front-End Forecast
  • Wafer Start Forecast
• Market trends
  • General Market Dynamics
  • Private Networks Market Drivers
• Market shares & supply chain
• Technology trends
  • Sub-6GHz and mmWave Small Cells Architecture
  • Components and Technology Platforms
  • What To Look Out For
• Outlook
• About Yole Group

Telecommunication industry is looking for new growth opportunities beyond 2023

Cellular Private Networks are entering a promising commercial phase, spreading worldwide, representing a significant growth opportunity for the RAN players with new industrial use cases to address. Private Network deployments include dedicated spectrum and customized hardware and software supporting a wide range of use cases and services. The demand is driven by the security, mobility, and data requirements of modern companies and public entities. 

Asia, particularly China, is leading in numbers, as Private Networks (PNs) are becoming crucial for enterprise digital transformation. Currently, the industry is focusing on Sub-3 GHz and C-band deployment, so mmWave radios present only a slow growth. 

The sub-6 GHz private small cells forecast anticipates steady growth with a substantial ramp-up starting from 2.5 million in 2023 to almost 3.5 million in 2028, with 2TRx and 4TRx small cells remaining the primary solution in 2023 and beyond. The RF front-end market for private small cells is expected to reach $320M in 2028 for 115 million RFFE components.

While Major OEMs take the lead, emerging players seize the RFFE opportunity

The private network ecosystem is wide and complex, with various providers and competitors (OEMs, Sis, MNOs, neutral hosts, PN operators) and all kinds of customers. Two main business models have emerged. One involves only the client and OEM or SI, while the other – the primary business model – involves three parties: the equipment provider, a 5G operator, and the client.

Major RAN OEMs, such as Nokia, Ericsson, Huawei, ZTE, and Samsung, can manufacture and provide RAN equipment and core networks. Logically, they have a leading position in the Private Network field. System integrators like IBM, Intel, Cisco, and Dell analyze the requirements and take care of the design, setup, configuration, and integration of the PN on the enterprise premises. Private 5G providers is a group of player that can offer a portion of the PN (the core network or the RAN) and partner with a third party to provide the complete PN. Hyperscalers like Google, Microsoft, and AWS also offer PN solutions based on their clouds.

The usual leading players in the RAN market (NXP, Ampleon, SEDI, Qorvo) focus on the public macro network, where the business is most significant. As a result, the small cell market is very competitive, and many emerging players are positioned in this segment.

60% of Private Small Cell RFFEs still rely on GaAs platforms in 2023

Private cellular networks based on Virtualized RAN architecture can be either standalone, installed at the enterprise site and completely isolated from public networks, or shared, integrated within an MNO network. Cellular PNs rely on specific infrastructure composed of the Radio Access Network, the core network, and the cellular devices. Most of the business value comes from services (network applications, security features, and network management). Cellular private networks address many verticals, including manufacturing, mines, oil and gas fields, government facilities, public safety, distribution and retail, and public service.

Small cell radios have a low transmit power, up to 10W. Depending on the RF line power, the front-end architecture varies with 3 to 5 amplification stages. Very-low-power RF Lines have 2- or 3-stage linear PAs based on GaAs. GaAs is the most common technology platform for amplification in small cells below 1W of power per RF chain. GaAs is used for PAs, gain blocks, LNAs, and switches. The technology will feature a steady 8% CAGR over the forecast period.

For higher power RF lines (1 to 5W), Doherty PAs become more relevant, so LDMOS and GaN technologies are more used. mmWave radios are based on beamformer modules managing all RF functions, from the PA down to switches, LNAs, and phase shifters. Beamformers have 8 to 32 channels and are based on RFSOI, CMOS, or SiGe technology. 

Airgain, Airspan, Akash Systems, Altum RF, Ambra solutions, Amphenol, Ampleon, Analog Devices, Anokiwave, Anterix, AT&T, Athonet,  AWS, Baicells, Beamwave, Bearcom, Betacom, BLU wireless, Bowei, BridgeWave, Broadcom, Cambium Networks, Casa Systems, CCS, Cellnex, Celona, CETC, Cisco, China Mobile, China Telecom, China Unicom, Comba, CommScope, Cree, Dell, DragonWave, Druid, E band communication, Edzcom, EE, Ericsson, Eta Devices, Etisalat, Extreme Networks, Dynax, Federated Wireless, Filtronic, Fujikura, Fujitsu, GCT, Great Microwave, Gallium Semi, Google, Guerilla RF, HCL, HiSilicon, HPE, Huatai, Huawei, IBM, Icana, Iconic RF, IDT, IgniteNet, Infineon, Intel, Jio, JMA Wireless, Kathrein, KDDI, KT, Kumu Networks, LG U+, LightPointe, Linear Technology, MACOM, Marvell, Mathworks, Mavenir, Maxim Integrated, MCV microwave, Microchip, MicroSemi, Microsoft, MicroTik, Mitsubishi Electric, Mixcomm, Mobix Labs, Molex, Monaco Telecom, Motorola, Movandi, MTI Wireless Edge Limited, Murata, NEC, Neditek, Nokia, NXP, Orange, Peraso, Pharrowtech, Phazr, Pivotal Commware, pSemi, Qorvo, Qualcomm, Radwin, Renesas, RFHIC, RFS, RFWin, Samsung, Satixfy, Sivers Semiconductor, Siklu, SK Telecom, Skyworks, Sofant Technologies, Sprint, ST Microelectronics, STC, Sumitomo Electric Device Innovations, Sunrise, Swisscom, Tampnet, Tmytek, T Mobile, TDK, Tech Mahindra, Techplayon, Telstra, Texas Instruments, TIM, UMS, Verana, Verizon, Viva Mobile, Vodafone, Wave PIA, Wavice, Wolfspeed, Xilinx, ZTE, and more.

Key Features 

• 2023-2028 private small cell forecast segmented by regions, power, frequency (Sub-6GHz and mmWave) and RF lines in Munits.
• 2023-2028 RF Front-end components by type (PA, switch, filters…) and technology (GaAs, GaN, LDMOS…) in Munits and $M.
• 5G and cellular private network market drivers.
• 2023-2028 wafer forecast (GaN, LDMOS, GaAs, SiGe, RFSOI…).
• Market trends for 5G and cellular private networks, PN architecture and business models.
• Overview of the telecom infrastructure supply chain, including OEM and device makers.

Product Objectives

Private Networks has emerged as a driver for the RAN business. This report aims to complement and extend the RF for Radio Access Network 2023 analysis:

• Provide volume forecasts for Cellular Private Networks Sub-6GHz Small cell and mmWave radio units.
• Provide market metrics and forecast for RF Front-End components of each systems.
• Provide wafer forecast for RF Front-End components.
• Analyze the drivers and challenges for 5G telecommunication and Cellular Private Networks.
• Analyze how the business models and supply-chains are evolving.
• Present main technological trends.
• Provide an overview of the main players across the 5G Private Network market and RF Front-End supply chain.