Report:
Magic Quadrant for CSP 5G Core Network Infrastructure Solutions
How does Gartner define the CSP 5G Core Network Infrastructure Solutions market in 2024?
Gartner defines 5G core network infrastructure solutions as a set of hardware, software and services essential for communication service providers (CSPs) to deliver reliable, secure internet protocol (IP) connectivity and associated services to consumers and enterprise users. The 5G core is integral to a wide array of essential functions in the 5G network, encompassing access and mobility management, authentication, subscriber data management, policy control, network slicing, and essential switching operations. This market covers CSPs' deployment of 5G core solutions for the public 5G network. A significant advancement from 4G evolved packet core (EPC), the 5G core network features service-based architecture and components like AMF, SMF and AUSF, enabling better flexibility and efficient network management. It supports advanced functions like network slicing and effectively caters to diverse demands.
Key Facts for Magic Quadrant for CSP 5G Core Network Infrastructure Solutions in 2024
- Publication Date: 28-Aug-2024
- Document ID: G00806452
- Coverage: Global
- Authors: Peter Liu, Kosei Takiishi
- Core Purpose: As 5G deployment shifts to stand-alone networks and cloud infrastructure, the 5G core market evolves. Vendors offer innovative solutions with varied go-to-market strategies, leveraging AI, edge computing, and open APIs. CIOs can use this Magic Quadrant to assess 5G core providers.
Strategic Planning Assumptions
No strategic planning assumptions provided.
How was the CSP 5G Core Network Infrastructure Solutions market evolved in 2024?
- Over 600 operators are investing in 5G globally, with nearly 350 having launched commercial services
- Approximately 150 operators are focusing on public 5G stand-alone (SA) deployments
- The market is transitioning from non-stand-alone (NSA) to cloud-native, service-based convergence core supporting multi-generation wireless technology
- By end of 2024, over 30% of 5G connections globally will be on SA networks
- The 5G core is evolving into a sophisticated monetization platform with surge in multivendor deployments and 'as-a-service' models
- Integration of AI and machine learning through Network Data Analytics Function (NWDAF) is becoming a key differentiator
- Open APIs and edge computing solutions are gaining traction for tailored services and new revenue streams
- Network slicing and dynamic resource allocation enable advanced features for enterprise 5G, FWA, and massive IoT deployments
- Increased focus on network sustainability with energy-efficient 5G solutions becoming a priority
- Convergence of 5G with AI, IoT, and edge computing opening possibilities in autonomous vehicles, smart cities, and Industry 4.0
What product features are required to be included in this year's evaluation?
- Subscriber data management: Unified data management (UDM), authentication server function (AUSF)
- Session and mobility management: Access and mobility management function (AMF), session management function (SMF), user plane function (UPF)
- Policy control function (PCF)
What are the common features of top products in the CSP 5G Core Network Infrastructure Solutions space?
- Unified data management (UDM): Manages subscription data, including user identification, service authorization and authentication credentials.
- Authentication server function (AUSF): Performs authentication services for the network, ensuring secure access and data protection for user equipment.
- Policy control function (PCF): Develops policy rules for network resource usage and service data flows, aligning network performance with predefined QoS and charging policies.
- Charging function (CHF): Handles charging data processing, generating charging records for network usage, which is essential for billing and monetization strategies.
- Access and mobility management function (AMF): Manages user equipment (UE) access to the network, mobility and session management, ensuring efficient handovers and connectivity management.
- Session management function (SMF): Responsible for establishing, maintaining and terminating network sessions. It also handles IP address allocation and manages QoS levels for each session.
- User plane function (UPF): Handles packet routing and forwarding, playing a key role in data transmission and internet connectivity for UE.
Scope Exclusions
- Solutions that do not include the minimum required 5G core functions (UPF, AMF, SMF, PCF, and UDM)
- Solutions without general availability by December 31, 2023
- Vendors without at least one commercial CSP deployment by December 31, 2023
- Trial and testing deployments only (not commercial deployments)
- Private 5G network solutions that are not for public 5G networks
Inclusion Criteria
Vendors must, among other requirements:
- The vendor must provide generally available 5G core solutions that include, at a minimum, UPF, AMF, SMF, PCF and UDM functions. These functions can be developed in-house or provided through third-party partners.
- The vendor's 5G core solutions must have a general availability (GA) date on or before 31 December 2023.
- The vendor must have at least one commercial deployment with a CSP by 31 December 2023, excluding trials and testing.
- Major events like mergers and acquisitions (M&A) up to November 31 2023 will be counted for scoring; those occurring after this date until final scoring will be recorded but not evaluated.
Ability to Execute — Relative Weighting
- Product or Service - Medium
- Overall Viability - Medium
- Sales Execution/Pricing - Medium
- Market Responsiveness/Record - Medium
- Marketing Execution - Medium
- Customer Experience - Medium
- Operations - Medium
Completeness of Vision — Relative Weighting
- Market Understanding - Medium
- Marketing Strategy - Medium
- Sales Strategy - Medium
- Offering (Product) Strategy - Medium
- Business Model - Medium
- Vertical/Industry Strategy - Medium
- Innovation - Medium
- Geographic Strategy - Medium
FAQs
Q: What does this research cover?
A: This research evaluates vendors providing 5G core network infrastructure solutions for communication service providers (CSPs). It covers hardware, software and services essential for delivering reliable, secure IP connectivity and associated services. The evaluation assesses vendors' current execution capabilities and their future vision, including product portfolios, market presence, innovation, partnerships, and go-to-market strategies. The report analyzes 10 vendors across four quadrants: Leaders (Ericsson, Huawei, Nokia, ZTE), Visionary (Mavenir), and Niche Players (Microsoft, NEC, Jio Platforms, Samsung).
Q: Who should use this research?
A: This research should be used by CIOs, CTOs, and technology decision-makers at communication service providers who are evaluating, selecting, or assessing 5G core network infrastructure vendors. It is particularly valuable for organizations transitioning from 4G to 5G stand-alone networks, implementing cloud-native architectures, or exploring advanced 5G capabilities like network slicing, edge computing, and AI-driven network management. Readers should use this Magic Quadrant in combination with Critical Capabilities reports and Gartner's client inquiry service, and should evaluate at least two vendors to ensure service continuity and facilitate negotiations.
Q: What are the mandatory features of vendors included in this market?
A: Vendors must provide generally available 5G core solutions that include, at a minimum, the following functions: User Plane Function (UPF), Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), Session Management Function (SMF), Policy Control Function (PCF), and Unified Data Management (UDM). These functions can be developed in-house or provided through third-party partners. These capabilities represent the core functionality required for subscriber data management, session and mobility management, and policy control in 5G networks.
Q: What are some reasons for not being included in this report?
A:
- Not providing the minimum required 5G core functions (UPF, AMF, SMF, PCF, UDM)
- Solutions not having general availability by December 31, 2023
- No commercial deployment with a CSP by December 31, 2023
- Only offering trial or testing deployments without commercial production deployments
- Focusing exclusively on private 5G networks rather than public CSP 5G networks
- Major mergers and acquisitions occurring after November 31, 2023 may not be fully evaluated in scoring
Q: What differentiates Ability to Execute vs. Completeness of Vision?
A: Ability to Execute focuses on the vendor's current capabilities and operational effectiveness, including product quality, sales execution, market responsiveness, customer experience, and operational excellence. It measures how well vendors are performing today in delivering their solutions and supporting customers. Completeness of Vision evaluates the vendor's strategic direction and future plans, including market understanding, product strategy, innovation investments, business models, and geographic expansion strategies. It assesses the vendor's ability to anticipate market changes and shape future directions.
Reference
- Gartner, Magic Quadrant for CSP 5G Core Network Infrastructure Solutions, 28-Aug-2024, ID G00806452
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