Global 5G network infrastructure revenue is set to reach USD 4.2 billion by the end of 2020, nearly double the 2019 total of USD 2.2 billion, rising to USD 6.8 billion in 2021, according to a report from Gartner. In addition, operator investment in 5G NR network infrastructure is set to double from 6 percent of total mobile infrastructure revenue in 2019 to 12 percent in 2020.
Operators are currently relying on non-stand-alone technology for their deployments but starting next year they’ll be rolling out standalone 5G infrastructure, which will require 5G NR equipment and a 5G core network, lowering costs and improving performance for users, said the report.Gartner added that around 7 percent of operators worldwide have already deployed 5G infrastructure in their networks. However, the report predicts that national 5G coverage will not occur as quickly as with past generations of wireless infrastructure, with 5G coverage focusing on hot spots and areas of high population density from 2019 through 2021.
