Summary

Market Research Reports on Mobile Core Network & Multi-access Edge Computing

The Dell’Oro Group’s Mobile Core Network & Multi-access Edge Computing reports track the global market for 4G and 5G core networks, including packet core, policy, subscriber data management, signaling, and IMS. The reports provide detailed analysis of market size, vendor share, revenue, licenses, and regional performance across the major core network functions.

Coverage spans legacy 3G, 4G EPC, Voice, and emerging 5G Standalone (SA) architectures, which have supported the evolution toward cloud-native, virtualized, and containerized core networks. The research also includes Multi-access Edge Computing (MEC), reflecting the growing role of distributed user plane deployments in next-generation network architectures.

As 5G Radio Access Networks have been widely deployed, the Mobile Core Network is becoming a primary area of differentiation for service providers. The transition from 4G Non-Standalone (NSA) to 5G SA is allowing service providers to monetize the network and enhance users’ quality of experience.  The use of AI/ML, both to deliver innovative services and to optimize network management, promises further opportunities. But the impact of these transitions on service providers’ operations can be substantial, and investment strategies vary depending on strategic objectives, regional policies and frameworks, and the competitive environment.

The disaggregation of hardware and software by means of cloud-native, virtualized, and containerized functions, along with technological enhancements defined by 3GPP standards, are enabling the ecosystem to move to a more agile, service-based delivery model.   Separation of the core network control and user planes allows operators to deploy distributed user plane functions (UPF) as multi-access edge computing (MEC), tightening the integration with edge computing environments.

Investments in the 5G core continue to foster economic growth. Capabilities such as network slicing, RedCap (Reduced Capability), Voice over New Radio (VoNR), enhanced positioning, and AI-driven automation are expanding monetization opportunities while improving operational efficiency, positioning the Mobile Core Network as a key enabler of 5G Advanced and future 6G services.

To take advantage of the opportunities in this market, component manufacturers, equipment vendors, service providers, and financial institutions need to answer critical business questions including:

• How quickly will the Mobile Core Network market move to 5G SA and what trends will influence its growth?
• What services and features are driving spending in the Mobile Core Network, and how will future demand evolve?
• When is the transition to 6G expected to occur, and what will its impact be on Core Network spending?
• How is AI likely to influence traffic patterns, revenues and operational costs?
• Which vendors lead the equipment market, and why?
• What is the impact of MEC (distributed UPF)?