Wireless network infrastructure market to reduce in size by 2017

The wireless network infrastructure market has been forecast to increase by approximately 8% between 2012 and 2013, representing a $53 billion market worldwide with nearly 1.6 million annual macro cell base station shipments.

However, the decline in 2G and 3G infrastructure spending will reduce the market's size to $50 billion by the end of 2017, with LTE accounting for as much as 36% of all infrastructure spending at that time.

The wireless network infrastructure market is currently in a phase of transition as mobile network operators seek to address increasing mobile traffic demands amidst global economic uncertainties. This paradigm shift is bringing new challenges and opportunities to infrastructure vendors.

Although, the new wave of 4G macrocell Radio Access Network (RAN) and core network investments will not be able to compensate the overall declines in 2G and 3G equipment sales, operators are expected to significantly increase their spending in the evolving small cell and carrier Wi-Fi equipment market.

Throughout the world -- from the developed economies of North America, Europe and North Asia, to the developing regions of Latin America, Africa and South Asia -- carriers are seeing the value of upgrading their wireless network infrastructures.

Despite significant economic headwinds, demand for higher data rates is compelling carriers to invest in new equipment, driving growth in infrastructure gear sales in 2011 and beyond.

For more information on the wireless network infrastructure market, see the latest research: Wireless Network Infrastructure Market

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