4G Equipment Devices Market Forecasts to 2032 - Global Analysis By Component (Infrastructure Equipment, Core Network Equipment, Backhaul Equipment and Support Solutions), Deployment Mode, Technology, Application, End User and By Geography

According to Stratistics MRC, the Global 4G Equipment Market is accounted for $169.9 billion in 2025 and is expected to reach $656.2 billion by 2032 growing at a CAGR of 21.2% during the forecast period. 4G equipment refers to the hardware, devices, and infrastructure components that enable the deployment, operation, and maintenance of fourth-generation (4G) mobile communication networks. It includes base stations, antennas, routers, switches, core network systems, and user devices designed to deliver high-speed data, voice, and multimedia services. These systems support technologies like LTE and LTE-Advanced, offering improved bandwidth, reduced latency, and enhanced connectivity compared to earlier generations. 4G equipment is essential for mobile operators to provide seamless internet access, streaming, and communication services, forming the backbone of modern wireless communication before the transition to 5G technologies.

Market Dynamics:

Rising Mobile Data Traffic

Surging mobile data traffic is a powerful catalyst for the 4G equipment market, driving robust infrastructure upgrades and densification across urban and rural regions. As consumers demand seamless video streaming, gaming, and IoT connectivity, operators are investing heavily in LTE-Advanced technologies to boost capacity and reduce latency. This momentum fuels innovation in base stations, small cells, and distributed antenna systems, expanding 4G's footprint and enabling inclusive digital access-especially in emerging markets where mobile-first connectivity is accelerating economic growth.

Restraint:

Rapid Shift toward 5G

The rapid shift toward 5G is negatively impacting the 4G equipment market, as investments and operator focus increasingly move toward advanced 5G infrastructure. This transition hinders demand for 4G equipment, causing revenue declines and reducing long-term growth opportunities. With telecom operators prioritizing 5G rollouts, 4G upgrades are being postponed or abandoned, creating uncertainty for manufacturers and suppliers. The market faces technological obsolescence and shrinking relevance in a swiftly evolving connectivity landscape.

Opportunity:

Smartphone Penetration

Rising smartphone penetration has been a powerful catalyst for the 4G equipment market, driving exponential demand for high-speed connectivity infrastructure. As consumers increasingly rely on data-intensive apps, video streaming, and mobile commerce, telecom operators are compelled to expand and upgrade 4G networks. This surge fuels investments in base stations, routers, and antennas, especially across emerging economies. The ubiquity of smartphones transforms 4G from a luxury to a necessity, accelerating equipment deployment and sustaining robust market growth across urban and rural landscapes.

Threat:

High Infrastructure Costs

High infrastructure costs significantly hinder the growth of the market, particularly in developing regions where funding is limited. The high expenses associated with network towers, spectrum licenses, and equipment installations discourage operators from expanding coverage. This financial burden delays large-scale deployments, reduces profitability, and slows technological adoption. Consequently, smaller telecom providers face entry barriers, widening the digital divide and restraining overall market growth despite rising demand for faster connectivity.

Covid-19 Impact

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the 4G equipment market, creating both challenges and opportunities. Supply chain disruptions, factory shutdowns, and delayed telecom projects initially slowed market growth. However, the surge in remote work, online learning, and digital services drove higher demand for reliable connectivity, accelerating 4G infrastructure deployments in many regions. While 5G advancements gained traction, 4G remained crucial during the pandemic as a backbone for expanding digital access worldwide.

The backhaul equipment segment is expected to be the largest during the forecast period

The backhaul equipment segment is expected to account for the largest market share during the forecast period, due to enabling high-capacity, low-latency data transmission across expanding mobile networks. As mobile data traffic surges, operators invest in advanced microwave, fiber, and millimeter-wave backhaul solutions to support dense small cell deployments and seamless coverage. This drives demand for complementary 4G infrastructure, enhances network scalability, and reduces total cost of ownership. Backhaul innovation thus acts as a catalyst for 4G expansion, especially in high-growth APAC regions.

The LTE-advanced segment is expected to have the highest CAGR during the forecast period

Over the forecast period, the LTE-advanced segment is predicted to witness the highest growth rate, due to its advanced features like carrier aggregation, higher-order MIMO, and enhanced spectral efficiency. These capabilities enable faster data rates and improved network reliability, meeting rising consumer and enterprise demands for seamless mobile broadband. As operators seek scalable solutions ahead of full 5G adoption, LTE-Advanced offers a cost-effective upgrade path with backward compatibility. Its role as a transitional technology makes it central to phased modernization strategies across global telecom networks.

Region with largest share:

During the forecast period, the Asia Pacific region is expected to hold the largest market share due to surging mobile subscriptions, and robust telecom investments. Nations like China, India, and Indonesia are experiencing explosive mobile data growth, compelling operators to expand LTE coverage and capacity. Strategic government programs-such as Digital India and China's New Infrastructure initiative-are accelerating connectivity in underserved regions while fueling smart city rollouts. This convergence of demographic momentum and policy-driven digitization cements APAC's leadership in next-gen mobile infrastructure deployment.

Region with highest CAGR:

Over the forecast period, the North America region is anticipated to exhibit the highest CAGR, owing to ongoing LTE upgrades, enterprise mobility trends, and the integration of advanced technologies such as LTE-Advanced Pro. Despite the region's mature telecom landscape, demand for high-performance connectivity in rural and underserved areas is spurring fresh investments. Additionally, the coexistence of 4G and 5G networks is fostering hybrid deployments, enabling operators to optimize coverage and capacity while transitioning to next-gen architectures.

Key players in the market

Some of the key players profiled in the 4G Equipment Market include Huawei Technologies, Nokia Corporation, Ericsson, ZTE Corporation, Samsung Electronics, Cisco Systems, Qualcomm Technologies, NEC Corporation, Fujitsu Limited, Ciena Corporation, Juniper Networks, CommScope, Mavenir Systems, Airspan Networks and Motorola Solutions.

Key Developments:

In September 2025, Nokia has inked a deal with Extreme Broadband (EBB) and its subsidiary Open DC to modernize six AI-focused data centers across Malaysia-fortifying them with robust security, superior network performance, quantum-safe solutions, and multi-cloud resilience to meet stringent enterprise demands.

In June 2025, Nokia and Elisa have renewed their collaboration with a four-year extension to modernize 5G (5.5G) network infrastructure across Finland and Estonia. The deal features energy-efficient AirScale RAN, cloud-native core, and automation platforms to boost speed, coverage, and efficiency.

Components Covered:

• Infrastructure Equipment
• Core Network Equipment
• Backhaul Equipment
• Support Solutions

Deployment Modes Covered:

• Fixed
• Mobile

Technologies Covered:

• LTE (Long-Term Evolution)
• LTE-Advanced
• WiMAX

Applications Covered:

• Smartphones & Tablets
• Laptops & Routers
• IoT Devices
• Enterprise
• Other Applications

End Users Covered:

• Telecom Operators
• Residential Users
• Government & Defense
• Other End Users

Regions Covered:

• North America
  • US
  • Canada
  • Mexico
• Europe
  • Germany
  • UK
  • Italy
  • France
  • Spain
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • Japan
  • China
  • India
  • Australia
  • New Zealand
  • South Korea
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• South America
  • Argentina
  • Brazil
  • Chile
  • Rest of South America
• Middle East & Africa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • UAE
  • Qatar
  • South Africa
  • Rest of Middle East & Africa

What our report offers:

• Market share assessments for the regional and country-level segments
• Strategic recommendations for the new entrants
• Covers Market data for the years 2024, 2025, 2026, 2028, and 2032
• Market Trends (Drivers, Constraints, Opportunities, Threats, Challenges, Investment Opportunities, and recommendations)
• Strategic recommendations in key business segments based on the market estimations
• Competitive landscaping mapping the key common trends
• Company profiling with detailed strategies, financials, and recent developments
• Supply chain trends mapping the latest technological advancements

Free Customization Offerings:

All the customers of this report will be entitled to receive one of the following free customization options:

• Company Profiling
  • Comprehensive profiling of additional market players (up to 3)
  • SWOT Analysis of key players (up to 3)
• Regional Segmentation
  • Market estimations, Forecasts and CAGR of any prominent country as per the client's interest (Note: Depends on feasibility check)
• Competitive Benchmarking
  • Benchmarking of key players based on product portfolio, geographical presence, and strategic alliances