Worldwide RAN Market Stable in Q1 2026 for Fifth Straight Quarter

Worldwide RAN market remained stable in Q1 2026, marking the fifth consecutive quarter of steady conditions. The Silicon Review reports on Dell'Oro's analysis of 5G declines offset by North America and India growth.

The worldwide Radio Access Network (RAN) market remained stable in the first quarter of 2026, marking the fifth consecutive quarter of steady market conditions, according to preliminary findings from Dell'Oro Group.

Top-line RAN revenues for the quarter were stable on a year-over-year basis, defying earlier expectations of a sharper downturn as the 5G cycle matures. While the macro 5G RAN market experienced a low double percent decline, this was fully offset by growth in North America, India, and other regions.

Dell'Oro Vice President Stefan Pongratz noted that 5G RAN dollar volumes are still well above historical levels, even as the market transitions to a more mature phase. The analyst firm also revised its 2025 RAN market forecast upward due to the stronger-than-expected first quarter results.

Regional performance varied significantly. The North American RAN market showed strong growth, contributing to the global stability. India continued its multi-year expansion, driven by ongoing 5G deployments. China, however, is expected to trough this year as its major 5G rollout winds down.

Ericsson, Huawei, Nokia, ZTE, & Samsung remained the top five suppliers, collectively accounting for over 95 percent of the worldwide RAN market. Vendor rankings remained stable quarter-to-quarter, with no significant share shifts.

The Dell'Oro report comes amid an increasingly complex environment for network equipment suppliers. The ongoing Iran war has disrupted supply chains for specialized components, while higher energy prices are raising operational costs for infrastructure deployment.

Dell'Oro now expects the global RAN market to decline at a low single-digit rate in 2025, an improvement from previous forecasts. The firm also projects that the overall market will remain resilient compared to previous technology cycles, supported by ongoing 5G standalone deployments and early investments in 6G research.

As the worldwide RAN market remains stable in Q1 2026 for the fifth consecutive quarter, The Silicon Review examines how growth in North America & India is offsetting 5G declines in mature markets & what this means for the top five suppliers controlling 95 percent of global RAN revenues.

Q: How did the worldwide RAN market perform in Q1 2026?
A: The worldwide Radio Access Network market remained stable in the first quarter of 2026, marking the fifth consecutive quarter of steady market conditions, according to preliminary findings from Dell'Oro Group.

Q: What offset the decline in the macro 5G RAN market in Q1 2026?
A: While the macro 5G RAN market experienced a low double percent decline, this was fully offset by growth in North America, India, and other regions, resulting in overall stable top-line RAN revenues.

Q: Which regions showed strong RAN market growth in Q1 2026?
A: North America and India showed strong RAN market growth in the first quarter, contributing significantly to global stability. China is expected to trough this year as its major 5G rollout winds down.

Q: Who are the top five suppliers in the worldwide RAN market?
A: Ericsson, Huawei, Nokia, ZTE, and Samsung remained the top five suppliers, collectively accounting for over 95 percent of the worldwide RAN market with no significant share shifts quarter-to-quarter.

Q: What did Dell'Oro revise about its 2025 RAN market forecast?
A: Dell'Oro revised its 2025 RAN market forecast upward due to the stronger-than-expected first quarter results and now expects the global RAN market to decline at a low single-digit rate in 2025.

Q: What factors are creating challenges for network equipment suppliers?
A: The ongoing Iran war has disrupted supply chains for specialized components, while higher energy prices are raising operational costs for infrastructure deployment, creating an increasingly complex environment for network equipment suppliers.