U.S. Mobile Network Infrastructure Spending Forecast, 2022-2027: 5G network build spending has peaked

5G is now firmly established in the U.S. with all the major mobile operators supporting nationwide networks. LTE is still in use and will continue to carry the majority of U.S. mobile data traffic for the next couple of years, but 5G is growing rapidly. In addition, fixed wireless access services using the 5G networks are being used by an increasing number of consumers and businesses. Things are changing quickly.

This market study presents a forecast for the cost of building, deploying and operating LTE and 5G networks in the U.S. from 2022 through 2027. Included is a mobile network infrastructure build forecast, which is detailed by mobile network component (RAN, front/backhaul, and core) and generation (LTE and 5G). The study also includes a forecast of network operating costs.

In addition to the forecasts, the market study provides a status update on the 5G network deployments in the U.S.

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Key Questions Answered

• How will the amount of data traffic carried on LTE and 5G networks grow in the U.S. in the next five years?
• How big is the LTE and 5G infrastructure opportunity in the U.S. in the next five years?
• What is the share of infrastructure spending for the network components of RAN, fronthaul/backhaul, and core?
• What is the share of infrastructure spending for LTE and 5G in the next five years?
• What are the expected mobile network operating costs in the next five years?
• What is the status of the major U.S. mobile operators’ 5G networks?

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Who Should Read

• Mobile operators
• Infrastructure OEMs
• Small cell product and solution vendors
• Edge computing solution providers
• Backhaul service providers and equipment OEMs
• Financial analysts and investors.

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Table of Contents

• Abstract
• Executive Summary
• Spend Forecasts
• What This Means
• Methodology
• Network Model and Components
• Model Assumptions - General
• Model Assumptions – Moving to 5G
• iGR Cost Model and Mobile Operator Financial Disclosures
• The Status of U.S. Mobile Operators’ Networks
• AT&T
• Verizon Wireless
• T-Mobile
• U.S. Cellular
• Dish
• Rural Operators
• U.S. Mobile Connections and Data Traffic Forecast
• U.S. Mobile Connections Forecast
• U.S. Mobile Data Traffic Forecast
• U.S. Infrastructure Build Cost Forecast
• Methodology and Assumptions
• U.S. Mobile Infrastructure Build Spending by Network Component
• U.S. Mobile Infrastructure Build Spending by Generation
• U.S. Mobile Network Operating Cost Forecast
• U.S. Total Mobile Network Cost Forecast
• Definitions
• About iGR
• Disclaimer

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List of Tables

• Table 1: Forecasted U.S. Mobile Connections, 2022-2027 (Millions)
• Table 2: Assumed Total U.S. Network Usage, 2022-2027 (EB/year)
• Table 3: U.S. Mobile Network Infrastructure Build Spending, 2022-2027 ($M)
• Table 4: U.S. Mobile Network Infrastructure Build Spending, 2022-2027 (percent)
• Table 5: U.S. Mobile Data Traffic by Generation, 2022-2027 (percent)
• Table 6: U.S. Mobile Network Infrastructure Build Spending by Generation, 2022-2027 ($M)
• Table 7: U.S. Mobile Network Infrastructure Build Spending by Generation, 2022-2027 (percent)
• Table 8: U.S. Mobile Network Operating Costs, 2022-2027 ($M)
• Table 9: Total U.S. Mobile Network Build and Operating Spending, 2022-2027 ($M)
• Table 10: Total U.S. Mobile Network Build and Operating Spending, 2022-2027 (percent)
• Definitions Table

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List of Charts and Figures

• Figure A: U.S. Total Mobile Network Infrastructure Build Spending, 2022-2027 ($M)
• Figure B: U.S. Mobile Network Operating Costs, 2022-2027 ($M)
• Figure C: Total U.S. Mobile Network Build and Operating Spending, 2022-2027 ($M, Total)
• Figure 1: Forecasted U.S. Mobile Connections, 2022-2027 (Millions)
• Figure 2: Assumed Total U.S. Network Usage, 2022-2027 (EB/year)
• Figure 3: U.S. Total Mobile Network Infrastructure Build Spending, 2022-2027 ($M)
• Figure 4: U.S. Mobile Network Infrastructure Build Spending by Component, 2022-2027 ($M)
• Figure 5: U.S. Mobile Network Infrastructure Build Spending by Component, 2022-2027 (percent)
• Figure 6: U.S. Mobile Data Traffic by Generation, 2022-2027 (percent)
• Figure 7: U.S. Mobile Network Infrastructure Build Spending by Generation, 2022-2027 ($M)
• Figure 8: U.S. Mobile Network Infrastructure Build Spending by Generation, 2022-2027 (percent)
• Figure 9: U.S. Mobile Network Operating Costs, 2022-2027 ($M)
• Figure 10: Total U.S. Mobile Network Build and Operating Spending, 2022-2027 ($M, Total)
• Figure 11: Total U.S. Mobile Network Build and Operating Spending, 2022-2027 (percent)

For additional information or to purchase the U.S. Mobile Network Infrastructure Spending Forecast, 2022-2027 market study, please contact Iain Gillott, at (512) 796-1675 or by email.