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Research Details
Published: 07-04-2025
Category:Telecoms & Connectivity
Regions & Countries:
  • North America
    • US
    • Canada
  • Latin America
    • Argentina
    • Brazil
    • Chile
    • Colombia
    • Ecuador
    • Mexico
    • Peru
    • Uruguay
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Key Statistics

$13.5bn

Total operator investment in AI in cellular networks in 2025

$22.9bn

Total operator investment in AI in cellular networks in 2029

$108bn

Total operator investment in digital transformation

2025-2029

Forecast period

Overview

Our AI in Cellular Networks research suite provides operators and AI in network vendors with analysis and actionable insights. It also includes data which enables stakeholders in the market, such as mobile network operators (MNOs) and network AI vendors, to make informed decisions on business strategy for their involvement with AI in networks. The research suite covers eight case studies into operators’ AI in cellular networks deployments, as well as a further case study for Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison’s AI-RAN strategy. These case studies include:

  • AT&T
  • China Mobile
  • Deutsche Telekom
  • Telefónica
  • SK Telecom
  • stc
  • Verizon
  • Vodafone

Each of these case studies breaks down how a leading operator is deploying and innovating with AI in their networks, with analysis from Juniper Research on the core strengths of their deployments and innovations, and evaluation of how these deployments position the operator in the future. This allows other operators and network AI vendors to understand how those at the forefront of the market are approaching network AI; supporting informed decision-making and strategy formulation.

The research suite also includes a breakdown of the key goals of operators’ AI in networks deployments, with analysis of how Juniper Research expects these goals to evolve in the future. This is coupled with strategic analysis of key concepts and technologies, including AI in Radio Access Network (RAN), the AI-RAN Alliance, the development of horizontal RAN stacks, sovereign AI, AI in network planning, AI in network maintenance, and AI in network slicing and differentiated connectivity.

It further provides recommendations and assessments on how operators can use AI to improve their network security, as well as protect their own AI deployments from fraudsters and malicious actors, and strategic analysis of how operators can maximise the impact of AI in their datacentres and cloud infrastructure. Through this, operators, network AI vendors, and other stakeholders can effectively evaluate and make informed business decisions regarding different areas of AI deployments.

As well as this, the report offers insight into technologies and standards including agentic AI, TeleManagement (TM) Forum’s Autonomous Networks, 6G, large language model (LLM), and the GSMA’s Open-Telco LLM Benchmarks. Accompanied by Juniper Research’s recommendations and analysis, each of these sections identifies future development opportunities and strategies, in addition to providing an understanding of key trends.

The market forecast suite includes several different options that can be purchased separately, including access to data mapping and a forecast document, a strategy and trends document detailing critical trends in the market, and strategic recommendations for monetising and innovating AI in cellular networks.

The research suite includes a Competitor Leaderboard, which can be purchased separately; containing analysis and market sizing for 16 leading network AI vendors, who each provide operators with software for AI in network deployments.

Collectively, the suite provides a critical tool for understanding the AI in cellular networks market allowing operators, AI in network vendors, and other stakeholders to optimise their future business and product development strategies for the market; providing a competitive advantage over their rivals.

All report content is delivered in the English language.

Key Features
  • Market Dynamics: Insights into the key trends and opportunities within the AI in cellular networks market, including the development of AI-RAN by the AI-RAN Alliance, the role of sovereign AI, how AI is being used in network security, and how operators are progressing their AI use cases. It also includes strategic analysis of eight leading operators’ use of AI in their networks, with a case study into each operator’s deployments and investments.
  • Key Takeaways & Strategic Recommendations: In-depth analysis of key development opportunities and findings within the AI in cellular networks market, accompanied by strategic recommendations for operators and AI in network vendors seeking to grow their revenue or gain an advantage in their product offerings.
  • Benchmark Industry Forecasts: The suite provides four-year forecasts for the global AI in cellular networks market; providing data for the total number of SIMs, total operator revenue, total operator investment in digital transformation, total operator investment in AI, and total operator investment in network AI. Total operator investment in network AI is provided with splits for total operator investment in network AI for RAN, total operator investment in network AI for orchestration and management, total operator investment in network AI for network security, and total operator investment in network AI for operations and maintenance (O&M).
  • Juniper Research Future Leaders’ Index: Key player capability and capacity assessment for 16 AI in networks vendors, with market sizing and detailed analysis for each vendor’s offering.

Research Deliverables

Market Data & Forecasts PDF Report

Deliverable type
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The numbers tell you what's happening, but our written report details why, alongside the methodologies.

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Interactive Forecast Excel

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Full 5-year forecasts for every available market metric provided in Excel format, with interactive 'What If' and scenario tools.

harvest Online Data Platform

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Access the very latest data in our exclusive online data platform, harvest. All the data from Excel, with frequent updates and a more user-friendly interface.

Market Trends & Strategies Report

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A comprehensive analysis of the current market landscape, alongside strategic recommendations.

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Competitor Leaderboard Report

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Provides a visual representation of the competitive positioning of the leaders within the market.

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The market-leading research suite for the AI in networks market includes access to the full set of forecast data, comprising more than 7,900 datapoints. Metrics in the research suite include:

  • Total Operator Revenue
  • Total Operator Investment in Digital Transformation
  • Total Operator Investment in AI
  • Total Operator Investment in Network AI
  • Total Operator Investment in Network AI for RAN
  • Total Operator Investment in Network AI for Orchestration and Management
  • Total Operator Investment in Network AI for Network Security
  • Total Operator Investment in Network AI for O&M

Juniper Research’s Interactive Forecast Excel contains the following functionality:

  • Statistics Analysis: Users benefit from the ability to search for specific metrics, displayed for all regions and countries across the data period. Graphs are easily modified and can be exported to the clipboard.
  • Country Data Tool: This tool lets users look at metrics for all regions and countries in the forecast period. Users can refine the metrics displayed via a search bar.
  • Country Comparison Tool: Users can select and compare specific countries. The ability to export graphs is included in this tool.
  • What-if Analysis: Here, users can compare forecast metrics against their own assumptions, via three interactive scenarios.

The Competitor Leaderboard included in this report provides detailed evaluation and market positioning for 16 network AI vendors. These key companies are positioned as established leaders, leading challengers, or disruptors and challengers, based on a capacity, capability, and product assessment. This includes analysis of their key advantages in the market, future development plans, and key partnerships.

The AI in Cellular Networks Competitor Leaderboard includes the following key vendors:

  • Blue Planet
  • Cisco
  • Ericsson
  • Google Cloud
  • Huawei
  • IBM
  • Jio Platforms
  • Juniper Networks
  • Mavenir
  • Microsoft
  • Netcracker
  • Nokia
  • NVIDIA
  • Samsung
  • Subex
  • ZTE

Why Choose Juniper Research

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Enterprise Licencing

Our research comes with an enterprise-wide licence as standard, so no need to worry about seat restrictions - your entire team can benefit from our expert insights.

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Outstanding Value

Make your budget stretch further as our research represents unrivalled value, with detailed written analysis and comprehensive 5-year forecasts included as standard with all of our data reports.

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Expert Insight

With over 20 years of experience, our forecast database and research methodologies are well-established and trusted by market-leading organisations around the world.

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Dedicated Support

Our team are ready to assist, whether you need to know more about a report before you buy, or you want to understand how we've arrived at our conclusions, just send us an email or pick up the phone.

Pricing

We accept payment online by card, or by invoice, bank transfer or purchase order.

All of our prices are in £GBP, and this will be reflected in your basket on checkout. Other currencies are provided as an indicative price only based on current exchange rates.

If you wish to be invoiced in another currency, then please proceed with the order in £GBP, select 'Pay by Invoice' and then email our team to request an updated invoice in your preferred currency: info@juniperresearch.com.

Market Trends & Strategies

£2,250
$3,015
€2,655

Market Trends & Strategies comprises of:

  • Benefit tick iconMarket outlook & trends analysis
  • Benefit tick iconInterviews & case studies
  • Benefit tick iconStrategic recommendations

Market Trends & Strategies

£2,250
$3,015
€2,655

Market Trends & Strategies comprises of:

  • Benefit tick iconMarket outlook & trends analysis
  • Benefit tick iconInterviews & case studies
  • Benefit tick iconStrategic recommendations
PDF

Competitor Leaderboard

£2,250
$3,015
€2,655

Competitor Leaderboard comprises of:

  • Benefit tick iconCompetitor Leaderboard with 16 vendors ranked
  • Benefit tick iconVendor profiles & capabilities analysis

Competitor Leaderboard

£2,250
$3,015
€2,655

Competitor Leaderboard comprises of:

  • Benefit tick iconCompetitor Leaderboard with 16 vendors ranked
  • Benefit tick iconVendor profiles & capabilities analysis
PDF

Market Data & Forecasts

£3,250
$4,355
€3,835

Market Data & Forecasts comprises of:

  • Benefit tick icon5-year forecasts
  • Benefit tick icon8 regions and 60+ country-level data splits
  • Benefit tick iconMarket segment data splits
  • Benefit tick icon12 months of continuous data updates

Market Data & Forecasts

£3,250
$4,355
€3,835

Market Data & Forecasts comprises of:

  • Benefit tick icon5-year forecasts
  • Benefit tick icon8 regions and 60+ country-level data splits
  • Benefit tick iconMarket segment data splits
  • Benefit tick icon12 months of continuous data updates
EXCEL
ONLINE
PDF

Full Research Suite

£4,250
$5,695
€5,015

Full Research Suite comprises of:

  • Benefit tick iconMarket outlook & trends analysis
  • Benefit tick iconInterviews & case studies
  • Benefit tick iconStrategic recommendations
  • Benefit tick iconCompetitor Leaderboard with 16 vendors ranked
  • Benefit tick iconVendor profiles & capabilities analysis
  • Benefit tick icon5-year forecasts
  • Benefit tick icon8 regions and 60+ country-level data splits
  • Benefit tick iconMarket segment data splits
  • Benefit tick icon12 months of continuous data updates

Full Research Suite

£4,250
$5,695
€5,015

Full Research Suite comprises of:

  • Benefit tick iconMarket outlook & trends analysis
  • Benefit tick iconInterviews & case studies
  • Benefit tick iconStrategic recommendations
  • Benefit tick iconCompetitor Leaderboard with 16 vendors ranked
  • Benefit tick iconVendor profiles & capabilities analysis
  • Benefit tick icon5-year forecasts
  • Benefit tick icon8 regions and 60+ country-level data splits
  • Benefit tick iconMarket segment data splits
  • Benefit tick icon12 months of continuous data updates
PDF
EXCEL
ONLINE