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Centralized RAN or C-RAN is an architectural shift in RAN (Radio Access Network) design, where the bulk of baseband processing is centralized and aggregated for a large number of distributed radio nodes. In comparison to standalone clusters of base stations, C-RAN provides significant performance and economic benefits such as baseband pooling, enhanced coordination between cells, virtualization, network extensibility, smaller deployment footprint and reduced power consumption.
Although Japan and South Korea continue to spearhead commercial C-RAN investments, interest is also growing in other parts of the world. Mobile operators such as China Mobile, Orange, Verizon and Sprint are already investing in the technology.
SNS Research estimates that global investments on C-RAN architecture networks will reach over $7 Billion by the end of 2016. The market is further expected to grow at a CAGR of nearly 20% between 2016 and 2020. These investments will include spending on RRHs (Remote Radio Heads), BBUs (Baseband Units) and fronthaul transport networking gear.
The “C-RAN (Centralized Radio Access Network) Ecosystem: 20162030 – Opportunities, Challenges, Strategies & Forecasts” report presents an in-depth assessment of the C-RAN ecosystem including enabling technologies, key trends, market drivers, challenges, standardization, regulatory landscape, deployment models, operator case studies, opportunities, future roadmap, value chain, ecosystem player profiles and strategies. The report also presents forecasts for C-RAN infrastructure investments from 2016 till 2030. The forecasts cover 3 individual submarkets and 6 regions.
The report comes with an associated Excel datasheet suite covering quantitative data from all numeric forecasts presented in the report.
The report covers the following topics:
Historical Revenue & Forecast Segmentation
Market forecasts are provided for each of the following submarkets and their subcategories:
Air Interface Technology
Submarkets
RRH Deployment Model
Fronthaul Technology
Regional Markets
The report provides answers to the following key questions:
Key Findings
List of Companies Mentioned
Countires Covered
Table of Contents 1
Chapter 1: Introduction 13
1.1 Executive Summary 13
1.2 Topics Covered 15
1.3 Historical Revenue & Forecast Segmentation 16
1.4 Key Questions Answered 18
1.5 Key Findings 19
1.6 Methodology 20
1.7 Target Audience 21
1.8 Companies & Organizations Mentioned 22
2 Chapter 2: An Overview of C-RAN 25
2.1 What is C-RAN? 25
2.1.1 Decoupling the Base Station 25
2.1.2 Brief History 25
2.2 Competing RAN Architectures 26
2.2.1 Traditional Macrocells 26
2.2.2 Small Cells 27
2.2.3 DAS (Distributed Antenna Systems) 27
2.3 Key Architectural Components for C-RAN 29
2.3.1 RRH (Remote Radio Head) 29
2.3.2 BBU (Baseband Unit) 29
2.3.3 Fronthaul 30
2.4 Baseband Functional Split Approaches 33
2.4.1 Fully Centralized Baseband Processing 34
2.4.2 Partially Centralized: RRH with L1 & L2 Baseband Capabilities 34
2.5 Fronthaul Interface Options 35
2.5.1 CPRI (Common Public Radio Interface) 35
2.5.2 OBSAI (Open Base Station Architecture Initiative) 36
2.5.3 ORI (Open Radio Interface) 36
2.5.4 Ethernet 36
2.6 Cloud RAN: Virtualizing C-RAN 38
2.6.1 Leveraging Commodity Technologies 38
2.6.2 Moving RAN to the Cloud 39
2.7 Market Growth Drivers 40
2.7.1 Capacity & Coverage Improvement: Addressing the Mobile Data Traffic Tsunami 40
2.7.2 Towards Greener RANs: Cost Efficiency & Energy Savings 41
2.7.3 Agile & Flexible Network Architecture 41
2.7.4 Enhanced Support for LTE-Advanced Features 42
2.7.5 The Benefits of Virtualization 42
2.7.6 Impact of 5G Rollouts 42
2.8 Market Barriers 43
2.8.1 Fronthaul Investments 43
2.8.2 Virtualization Challenges 43
2.8.3 Migration from Legacy Architectures 44
3 Chapter 3: Standardization & Regulatory Initiatives 45
3.1 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) 45
3.2 ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute) 46
3.2.1 ORI for Fronthaul 46
3.2.2 NFV (Network Functions Virtualization) for Cloud RAN 46
3.2.3 MEC (Mobile Edge Computing) 47
3.3 NGMN (Next Generation Mobile Networks) Alliance 47
3.3.1 P-CRAN (Project Centralized RAN) 47
3.4 Small Cell Forum 48
3.4.1 Release 5.1: Small Cell Virtualization 48
3.5 MEF (Metro Ethernet Forum) 48
3.5.1 Ethernet Transport 48
3.6 IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 49
3.6.1 IEEE 802.1CM: Time-Sensitive Networking for Fronthaul 49
3.6.2 IEEE P1904.3: Standard for RoE (Radio over Ethernet) Encapsulations and Mappings 49
3.6.3 Other Standards & Work Groups 50
3.7 ITU (International Telecommunications Union) 51
3.7.1 Focus Group on IMT-2020 51
4 Chapter 4: C-RAN Deployment Models & Case Studies 52
4.1 Deployment Models 52
4.1.1 Localized 52
4.1.2 Enterprise 53
4.1.3 Highly Centralized 54
4.1.4 Virtualized 55
4.2 Mobile Operator Case Studies 55
4.2.1 América Móvil Group 55
4.2.2 China Mobile 56
4.2.3 China Telecom 58
4.2.4 KT Corporation 59
4.2.5 LG Uplus 60
4.2.6 NTT DoCoMo 61
4.2.7 Orange 63
4.2.8 SK Telecom 64
4.2.9 SoftBank Mobile 65
4.2.10 Sprint 66
4.2.11 Telecom Italia 67
4.2.12 Telefónica 68
4.2.13 Verizon Wireless 69
4.2.14 Vodafone Group 70
5 Chapter 5: C-RAN Industry Roadmap & Value Chain 71
5.1 Industry Roadmap 71
5.1.1 2016 – 2020: Gaining Worldwide Traction 71
5.1.2 2020 – 2025: The Cloud RAN Era - Moving Towards RAN Virtualization 72
5.1.3 2025 – 2030: Continued Investments with 5G Network Rollouts 72
5.2 Value Chain 73
5.2.1 Enabling Technology Providers 73
5.2.2 Radio Equipment Suppliers 74
5.2.3 RAN Vendors 74
5.2.4 Fronthaul Networking Vendors 74
5.2.5 Mobile Operators 75
5.2.6 Test, Measurement & Performance Specialists 75
6 Chapter 6: Key Market Players 76
6.1 6WIND 76
6.2 Absolute Analysis 77
6.3 Accelink Technologies 78
6.4 ADLINK Technology 79
6.5 ADTRAN 80
6.6 ADVA Optical Networking 81
6.7 Advantech 82
6.8 Airspan Networks 83
6.9 Altiostar Networks 84
6.10 Amarisoft 85
6.11 Anritsu Corporation 86
6.12 Aquantia 87
6.13 ARM Holdings 88
6.14 Artemis Networks 89
6.15 Artesyn Embedded Technologies 90
6.16 Artiza Networks 91
6.17 ASOCS 92
6.18 ASTRI (Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute) 93
6.19 Avago Technologies 94
6.20 Aviat Networks 95
6.21 Axxcelera Broadband Wireless (Moseley Associates) 96
6.22 BLiNQ Networks 97
6.23 Blu Wireless Technology 98
6.24 BluWan 99
6.25 BridgeWave Communications 100
6.26 Broadcom Corporation 101
6.27 Cambium Networks 102
6.28 Cavium 103
6.29 CBNL (Cambridge Broadband Networks Ltd.) 104
6.30 CCS (Cambridge Communication Systems) 105
6.31 Ceragon 106
6.32 Ciena Corporation 107
6.33 Cobham Wireless 108
6.34 Coherent Logix 109
6.35 Comcores ApS 110
6.36 CommAgility 111
6.37 CommScope 112
6.38 Coriant 114
6.39 Corning 115
6.40 Dali Wireless 116
6.41 Datang Mobile 117
6.42 DragonWave 118
6.43 eASIC Corporation 119
6.44 E-Band Communications (Moseley Associates) 120
6.45 EBlink 121
6.46 Eoptolink Technology 122
6.47 Ericsson 123
6.48 Exalt Communications 126
6.49 EXFO 127
6.50 Extreme Networks 128
6.51 FastBack Networks 129
6.52 Finisar Corporation 130
6.53 Fujitsu 131
6.54 GigaLight (Shenzhen Gigalight Technology Company) 132
6.55 GlobalFoundaries 133
6.56 HFR 134
6.57 HG Genuine 135
6.58 Hisense (Hisense Broadband Multimedia Technology) 136
6.59 Hitachi 137
6.60 Huawei 138
6.61 IDT (Integrated Device Technology) 139
6.62 IMEC International 140
6.63 Infinera 141
6.64 InnoLight Technology Corporation 142
6.65 Intel Corporation 143
6.66 InterDigital 145
6.67 Intracom Telecom 146
6.68 Ixia 147
6.69 JMA Wireless 148
6.70 JRC (Japan Radio Company) 149
6.71 Kathrein-Werke KG 150
6.72 Keysight Technologies 151
6.73 Kisan Telecom 152
6.74 KMW 153
6.75 Lattice Semiconductor 154
6.76 LightPointe Communications 155
6.77 Lumentum 156
6.78 Macom (M/A-COM Technology Solutions) 157
6.79 MAX4G 158
6.80 Mellanox Technologies 159
6.81 Microsemi Corporation 160
6.82 Microwave Networks 161
6.83 MIMOtech 162
6.84 Mitsubishi Electric Corporation 163
6.85 Mobiveil 164
6.86 Molex 165
6.87 MTI Mobile 166
6.88 NEC Corporation 167
6.89 NetScout Systems 168
6.90 Nokia Networks & Alcatel-Lucent 169
6.91 Nutaq 172
6.92 NXP Semiconductors 173
6.93 Octasic 174
6.94 OE Solutions 175
6.95 Parallel Wireless 176
6.96 PMC-Sierra 177
6.97 Potevio (China Potevio Company) 178
6.98 Proxim Wireless Corporation 179
6.99 QEOS 180
6.100 Qualcomm 181
6.101 Qwilt 182
6.102 Radisys Corporation 183
6.103 RADWIN 184
6.104 Red Hat 185
6.105 Saguna Networks 186
6.106 SAI Technology 187
6.107 Samji Electronics Company 188
6.108 Samsung Electronics 189
6.109 Sarokal Test Systems 191
6.110 Siklu 192
6.111 SOLiD (SOLiD Technologies) 193
6.112 Source Photonics 194
6.113 SpiderCloud Wireless 195
6.114 Sumitomo Electric Industries 197
6.115 Sunnada (Fujian Sunnada Communication Company) 198
6.116 Sunwave Communications 199
6.117 Tarana Wireless 200
6.118 TEKTELIC Communications 201
6.119 Telco Systems 202
6.120 TI (Texas Instruments) 203
6.121 Viavi Solutions 204
6.122 Vubiq Networks 205
6.123 Xelic 206
6.124 Xilinx 207
6.125 ZTE 208
7 Chapter 7: Market Analysis & Forecasts 209
7.1 Global Outlook of C-RAN Investments 209
7.2 Segmentation by Air Interface Technology 210
7.2.1 3G & LTE Networks 210
7.2.2 5G Networks 211
7.3 Segmentation by Submarket 211
7.3.1 RRH (Remote Radio Head) 212
7.3.1.1 Deployment Model Segmentation 213
7.3.1.2 Indoor 214
7.3.1.3 Outdoor 215
7.3.2 BBU (Baseband Unit) 216
7.3.3 Fronthaul 217
7.3.3.1 Technology Segmentation 217
7.3.3.2 Dedicated Fiber 218
7.3.3.3 WDM 218
7.3.3.4 OTN & PON 219
7.3.3.5 Ethernet 219
7.3.3.6 Microwave 220
7.3.3.7 Millimeter Wave 220
7.4 Segmentation by Region 221
7.4.1 RRH (Remote Radio Head) 221
7.4.2 BBU (Baseband Unit) 222
7.4.3 Fronthaul 223
7.5 Asia Pacific 224
7.5.1 RRH (Remote Radio Head) 224
7.5.2 BBU (Baseband Unit) 225
7.5.3 Fronthaul 226
7.6 Eastern Europe 227
7.6.1 RRH (Remote Radio Head) 227
7.6.2 BBU (Baseband Unit) 228
7.6.3 Fronthaul 229
7.7 Latin & Central America 230
7.7.1 RRH (Remote Radio Head) 230
7.7.2 BBU (Baseband Unit) 231
7.7.3 Fronthaul 232
7.8 Middle East & Africa 233
7.8.1 RRH (Remote Radio Head) 233
7.8.2 BBU (Baseband Unit) 234
7.8.3 Fronthaul 235
7.9 North America 236
7.9.1 RRH (Remote Radio Head) 236
7.9.2 BBU (Baseband Unit) 237
7.9.3 Fronthaul 238
7.10 Western Europe 239
7.10.1 RRH (Remote Radio Head) 239
7.10.2 BBU (Baseband Unit) 240
7.10.3 Fronthaul 241
8 Chapter 8: Conclusion & Strategic Recommendations 242
8.1 Why is the Market Poised to Grow? 242
8.2 Competitive Industry Landscape: Acquisitions, Alliances & Consolidation 242
8.3 Setting the Foundation for 5G Networks 243
8.4 Integration with MEC (Mobile Edge Computing) 244
8.5 Towards a User Centric RAN Architecture 244
8.6 Prospects of Virtualized Cloud RAN Networks 245
8.7 RANaaS (RAN as a Service): Envisioning the Future of C-RAN 246
8.8 Geographic Outlook: Which Countries Offer the Highest Growth Potential? 247
8.9 Which Submarket will Lead the Market? 248
8.10 Strategic Recommendations 249
8.10.1 C-RAN Solution Providers 249
8.10.2 Mobile Operators 250
List of Figures
Figure 1: C-RAN Architecture 26
Figure 2: Key Characteristics of Small Cells 28
Figure 3: Key RRH & BBU Functions 31
Figure 4: Baseband Processing Distribution Options 34
Figure 5: CPRI Protocol Layers 36
Figure 6: Cloud RAN Concept 39
Figure 7: Annual Global Throughput of Mobile Network Data Traffic by Region: 2016 - 2030 (Exabytes) 41
Figure 8: Localized C-RAN Deployment Model 53
Figure 9: Enterprise C-RAN Deployment Model 54
Figure 10: China Mobile’s Cloud RAN Vision 58
Figure 11: NTT DoCoMo’s Advanced C-RAN Architecture 62
Figure 12: C-RAN Industry Roadmap 72
Figure 13: C-RAN Value Chain 74
Figure 14: Global C-RAN Revenue: 2016 - 2030 ($ Million) 210
Figure 15: Global C-RAN Revenue by Air Interface Technology: 2016 - 2030 ($ Million) 211
Figure 16: Global C-RAN Revenue in 3G & LTE Networks: 2016 - 2030 ($ Million) 211
Figure 17: Global C-RAN Revenue in 5G Networks: 2016 - 2030 ($ Million) 212
Figure 18: Global C-RAN Revenue by Submarket: 2016 - 2030 ($ Million) 212
Figure 19: Global RRH (Remote Radio Head) Unit Shipments: 2016 - 2030 (Thousands of Units) 213
Figure 20: Global RRH (Remote Radio Head) Unit Shipment Revenue: 2016 - 2030 ($ Million) 213
Figure 21: Global RRH (Remote Radio Head) Unit Shipments by Deployment Model: 2016 - 2030 (Thousands of Units) 214
Figure 22: Global RRH (Remote Radio Head) Unit Shipment Revenue by Deployment Model: 2016 - 2030 ($ Million) 214
Figure 23: Global Indoor RRH (Remote Radio Head) Unit Shipments: 2016 - 2030 (Thousands of Units) 215
Figure 24: Global Indoor RRH (Remote Radio Head) Unit Shipment Revenue: 2016 - 2030 ($ Million) 215
Figure 25: Global Outdoor RRH (Remote Radio Head) Unit Shipments: 2016 - 2030 (Thousands of Units) 216
Figure 26: Global Outdoor RRH (Remote Radio Head) Unit Shipment Revenue: 2016 - 2030 ($ Million) 216
Figure 27: Global BBU (Baseband Unit) Shipments: 2016 - 2030 (Thousands of Units) 217
Figure 28: Global BBU (Baseband Unit) Shipment Revenue: 2016 - 2030 ($ Million) 217
Figure 29: Global C-RAN Fronthaul Revenue: 2016 - 2030 ($ Million) 218
Figure 30: Global C-RAN Fronthaul Revenue by Technology: 2016 - 2030 ($ Million) 218
Figure 31: Global Dedicated Fiber Fronthaul Revenue: 2016 - 2030 ($ Million) 219
Figure 32: Global WDM Fronthaul Revenue: 2016 - 2030 ($ Million) 219
Figure 33: Global OTN & PON Fronthaul Revenue: 2016 - 2030 ($ Million) 220
Figure 34: Global Ethernet Fronthaul Revenue: 2016 - 2030 ($ Million) 220
Figure 35: Global Microwave Fronthaul Revenue: 2016 - 2030 ($ Million) 221
Figure 36: Global Millimeter Wave Fronthaul Revenue: 2016 - 2030 ($ Million) 221
Figure 37: C-RAN Revenue by Region: 2016 - 2030 ($ Million) 222
Figure 38: RRH (Remote Radio Head) Unit Shipments by Region: 2016 - 2030 (Thousands of Units) 222
Figure 39: RRH (Remote Radio Head) Unit Shipment Revenue by Region: 2016 - 2030 ($ Million) 223
Figure 40: BBU (Baseband Unit) Shipments by Region: 2016 - 2030 (Thousands of Units) 223
Figure 41: BBU (Baseband Unit) Shipment Revenue by Region: 2016 - 2030 ($ Million) 224
Figure 42: C-RAN Fronthaul Revenue by Region: 2016 - 2030 ($ Million) 224
Figure 43: Asia Pacific C-RAN Revenue: 2016 - 2030 ($ Million) 225
Figure 44: Asia Pacific RRH (Remote Radio Head) Unit Shipments: 2016 - 2030 (Thousands of Units) 225
Figure 45: Asia Pacific RRH (Remote Radio Head) Unit Shipment Revenue: 2016 - 2030 ($ Million) 226
Figure 46: Asia Pacific BBU (Baseband Unit) Shipments: 2016 - 2030 (Thousands of Units) 226
Figure 47: Asia Pacific BBU (Baseband Unit) Shipment Revenue: 2016 - 2030 ($ Million) 227
Figure 48: Asia Pacific C-RAN Fronthaul Revenue: 2016 - 2030 ($ Million) 227
Figure 49: Eastern Europe C-RAN Revenue: 2016 - 2030 ($ Million) 228
Figure 50: Eastern Europe RRH (Remote Radio Head) Unit Shipments: 2016 - 2030 (Thousands of Units) 228
Figure 51: Eastern Europe RRH (Remote Radio Head) Unit Shipment Revenue: 2016 - 2030 ($ Million) 229
Figure 52: Eastern Europe BBU (Baseband Unit) Shipments: 2016 - 2030 (Thousands of Units) 229
Figure 53: Eastern Europe BBU (Baseband Unit) Shipment Revenue: 2016 - 2030 ($ Million) 230
Figure 54: Eastern Europe C-RAN Fronthaul Revenue: 2016 - 2030 ($ Million) 230
Figure 55: Latin & Central America C-RAN Revenue: 2016 - 2030 ($ Million) 231
Figure 56: Latin & Central America RRH (Remote Radio Head) Unit Shipments: 2016 - 2030 (Thousands of Units) 231
Figure 57: Latin & Central America RRH (Remote Radio Head) Unit Shipment Revenue: 2016 - 2030 ($ Million) 232
Figure 58: Latin & Central America BBU (Baseband Unit) Shipments: 2016 - 2030 (Thousands of Units) 232
Figure 59: Latin & Central America BBU (Baseband Unit) Shipment Revenue: 2016 - 2030 ($ Million) 233
Figure 60: Latin & Central America C-RAN Fronthaul Revenue: 2016 - 2030 ($ Million) 233
Figure 61: Middle East & Africa C-RAN Revenue: 2016 - 2030 ($ Million) 234
Figure 62: Middle East & Africa RRH (Remote Radio Head) Unit Shipments: 2016 - 2030 (Thousands of Units) 234
Figure 63: Middle East & Africa RRH (Remote Radio Head) Unit Shipment Revenue: 2016 - 2030 ($ Million) 235
Figure 64: Middle East & Africa BBU (Baseband Unit) Shipments: 2016 - 2030 (Thousands of Units) 235
Figure 65: Middle East & Africa BBU (Baseband Unit) Shipment Revenue: 2016 - 2030 ($ Million) 236
Figure 66: Middle East & Africa C-RAN Fronthaul Revenue: 2016 - 2030 ($ Million) 236
Figure 67: North America C-RAN Revenue: 2016 - 2030 ($ Million) 237
Figure 68: North America RRH (Remote Radio Head) Unit Shipments: 2016 - 2030 (Thousands of Units) 237
Figure 69: North America RRH (Remote Radio Head) Unit Shipment Revenue: 2016 - 2030 ($ Million) 238
Figure 70: North America BBU (Baseband Unit) Shipments: 2016 - 2030 (Thousands of Units) 238
Figure 71: North America BBU (Baseband Unit) Shipment Revenue: 2016 - 2030 ($ Million) 239
Figure 72: North America C-RAN Fronthaul Revenue: 2016 - 2030 ($ Million) 239
Figure 73: Western Europe C-RAN Revenue: 2016 - 2030 ($ Million) 240
Figure 74: Western Europe RRH (Remote Radio Head) Unit Shipments: 2016 - 2030 (Thousands of Units) 240
Figure 75: Western Europe RRH (Remote Radio Head) Unit Shipment Revenue: 2016 - 2030 ($ Million) 241
Figure 76: Western Europe BBU (Baseband Unit) Shipments: 2016 - 2030 (Thousands of Units) 241
Figure 77: Western Europe BBU (Baseband Unit) Shipment Revenue: 2016 - 2030 ($ Million) 242
Figure 78: Western Europe C-RAN Fronthaul Revenue: 2016 - 2030 ($ Million) 242
Figure 79: Global Virtualized RAN Investments: 2016 - 2030 ($ Million) 246
Figure 80: Global C-RAN Spending Breakdown by Submarket: 2020 (%) 249
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The HetNet Ecosystem (Small Cells, Carrier Wi-Fi, C-RAN & DAS): 2017 – 2030 – Opportunities, Challenges, Strategies & Forecasts
Driven by the growing demand for in-building wireless coverage and the huge influx of mobile data traffic, conventional macrocells alone are no longer deemed sufficient to handle the needs of today's wireless subscribers. In addition, the imminent... |
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HetNet Ecosystem (Small Cells, Carrier Wi-Fi, C-RAN & DAS): 2016 – 2030 – Opportunities, Challenges, Strategies & Forecasts
Synopsis- : Driven by in-building wireless coverage requirements and the growing influx of mobile data traffic, a conventional macrocell based cellular network deployment is not deemed to be a sufficient solution to address the cove... |
