Top 10: Mobile Infrastructure Vendors
Mobile networks are pivotal in shaping our digital landscape, from the rollout of 5G to the development of next-generation technologies. Working alongside them are infrastructure vendors, who ensure seamless connectivity.
This article delves into ten key players in the industry: Juniper Networks, Fujitsu, Ciena, NEC Corporation, Samsung Electronics, Huawei, ZTE, Cisco Systems, Ericsson and Nokia.
10. Juniper Networks
Revenue: US$5.565bn
Number of employees: 11,144
CEO: Rami Rahim
Founded: 1996
Juniper Networks is a networking equipment and software player. Its work in mobile infrastructure includes 5G networking and automation solutions, which help service providers to transform their networks.
Juniper Networks’ Open RAN solution provides an intelligent, interoperable mobile network architecture, while Juniper's Cloud Metro helps to deliver better user experiences across distributed cloud services.
“Our customers are building clouds that serve businesses and the public globally,” says Jason Fritch, Senior Vice President of Global Sales, Juniper Networks Cloud Segment.
9. Fujitsu
Number of employees: 124,000
CEO: Takahito Tokita
Founded: 1935
Japanese multinational Fujitsu builds equipment and offers services across information and communications technology, as well as its network infrastructure solutions.
Fujitsu offers Open RAN solutions for 5G networks and also provides virtualised RAN software and radio units.
Fujitsu's experience, comprehensive solutions, strategic partnerships, research and development efforts alongside its global presence, contribute to its standing as a significant player in the 5G infrastructure domain.
8. Ciena
Revenue: US$942.3m
Number of employees: 4,000
CEO: Gary B. Smith
Founded: 1992
Ciena is an American telecommunications networking equipment and software services supplier, which specialises in optical networking and software automation.
Founded in 1992 and based in the US, Ciena underpins critical digital infrastructure across the world, serving more than 1,700 customers in multiple industries.
“We cater towards the service provider community as well as hyperscalers and over the top (OTT) providers. We're also driving into the area of private networks for large enterprises in the financial, insurance and pharmaceutical sectors, as well as for governments,” says John Garrett, Senior Director of Sales in APJ for Ciena.
7. NEC Corporation
Number of employees: 10,000
CEO: Takayuki Morita
Founded: 1899
NEC Corporation is an end-to-end, full spectrum supplier of advanced electronics technology and solutions, headquartered in Japan. With over 100,000 employees located around the world, NEC contributes to a wide array of different industries and sectors.
NEC is actively involved in Open RAN development and deployments and also provides 5G core network solutions and radio units.
6. Samsung Electronics
Number of employees: 270,000
CEO: Han Jong-hee
Founded: 1969
Samsung is known for its smartphones, but it also manufactures washing machines and fridges. In addition, Samsung is increasingly becoming a major player in mobile network infrastructure.
Samsung offers a full range of 5G solutions from chipsets to network equipment. The company has also been particularly strong in mmWave 5G technology, where its virtualized RAN solutions gained traction with some major operators.
The company’s mission is to perform responsibly as a leading, global company and follows a business philosophy of devoting its talent and technology to creating superior products and services that contribute to a better global society.
5. Huawei
Revenue: US$91bn
Number of employees: 270,000
CEO: Ren Zhengfei
Founded: 1987
Huawei works across telecommunications, consumer electronics and mobile network infrastructure.
The global rollout of 5G networks represents a significant leap in mobile infrastructure, offering faster speeds, lower latency and greater capacity than previous generations. This technology supports a wide range of new applications, including IoT, autonomous vehicles and smart cities. Telecom giant Huawei has been at the forefront of deploying 5G infrastructure. Huawei has been a key player in 5G deployments, especially in Asia and Europe.
4. ZTE
Number of employees: 10,000
CEO: Xu Ziyang
Founded: 1985
ZTE is a provider of communication technology solutions, founded in 1985. It builds integrated solutions for global operators across 160 countries, with a vision to ‘enable connectivity and trust everywhere’.
ZTE has partnered together with China Mobile Beijing to work on 5G expansion, network infrastructure and wider technology development.
3. Cisco Systems
Number of employees: 10,000
CEO: Chuck Robbins
Founded: 1984
Cisco is one of the largest networking and telecommunications equipment manufacturers in the world. In mobile infrastructure, Cisco provides a comprehensive portfolio of 5G solutions for service providers. The company offers cloud-native 5G core network functions as well as automation tools and its Crosswork Network Automation platform helps operators manage complex 5G networks.
2. Ericsson
Number of employees: 100,000
CEO: Börje Ekholm
Founded: 1876
Since 1876, Ericsson has been shaping how the world communicates. Today more than 40% of the world's mobile traffic passes through networks delivered by Ericsson and the company manages networks which together serve more than one billion subscribers.
At Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Mobile Magazine spoke with Keijo Mononen, Head of Security Solutions at Ericsson, to discuss the latest in mobile infrastructure and the need for a zero trust approach.
“We are building a solution on top of Ericsson's secure products and also multi-vendor third-party products,” he explains. “Our aim is to secure the network end-to-end, meaning from core to radio, but also vertically in the full stack from the operating system, cloud, cloud infrastructure and also telecom applications, and also utilising zero trust architecture principles for the mobile network.”
1. Nokia
Revenue: €22.26 b
Number of employees: 10,000
CEO: Pekka Lundmark
Founded: 1865
Nokia, based in Espoo, Finland, is a leader in telecommunications and network infrastructure. Founded just before its neighbourhood rival Ericsson in 1865, Nokia has been at the forefront of connecting the world through innovative technology and robust network solutions.
Nokia's extensive portfolio includes telecommunications, network infrastructure and location-based technologies. The company is dedicated to delivering enterprise solutions and services that enable businesses to thrive in an increasingly connected world. With its advancements in IoT, 5G, cloud services, and software-defined networking, Nokia continues to shape the future of connectivity.
Through its commitment to innovation and excellence, Nokia strives to create technology that improves lives and drives the global digital transformation. As a trusted partner for enterprises around the world, Nokia provides the tools and solutions necessary to navigate the complexities of the digital age and achieve success in a rapidly evolving landscape.
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