The market includes 2G/3G optimisation and 4G SON software
The mobile network optimisation market, including 2G/3G optimisation and 4G SON software, is expected to grow to nearly $3bn by the year 2015, according to a report by Infonetics Research.
The report, entitled 2G/3G Optimization and 4G Self-Organizing Network (SON) Software Market Outlook, revealed that 78% of the world’s mobile subscribers are still on 2G networks, while the rest are on 3G and 4G networks are just taking off.
Infonetics Research principal analyst for mobile infrastructure Stéphane Téral said while 2G and 3G mobile network optimisation has been around for two decades, SON – considered an unrealistic dream just 10 years ago – is new to the party as of 2009 as the first iteration of the ‘zero-touch’ network, diminishing human involvement in network operational tasks.
The report further states that the market is being fuelled by telecom operators who are seeking efficiencies in their networks as mobile subscribers are transitioning from 2G to 3G technology and eventually to 4G.
Majority of the overall MNO market is made up by 2G/3G optimisation software, while SON software is growing the fastest, driven by growing LTE network rollouts.
The report said that smaller specialist vendors in the mobile network optimisation market are under pressure from larger equipment suppliers who add software as a value-add to the infrastructure they sell to telecom operators
It added, Asia Pacific has become the largest market for mobile network optimisation and SON ever since China’s telecommunications industry was restructured in 2008.
