5G Mobile Core Surges 31 Percent in 2Q 2025, According to Dell'Oro Group

Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) launched five new 5G Standalone (SA) networks in 2025, contributing to robust growth in the Mobile Core Network (MCN) sector. The Dell'Oro Group reported a year-over-year increase of 19% for the MCN market in the second quarter of 2025, with the 5G MCN segment rising by 31% and the Voice Core segment growing by 18%.

Dave Bolan, Research Director at Dell'Oro Group, noted that the growth rate for 2025 has been doubled to 10% year-over-year. Factors driving this trend include the rising number of 5G SA subscribers and ongoing network launches. Currently, 71 MNOs offer 5G SA services, with future advancements expected as more MNOs plan additional network rollouts.

As 5G SA networks develop, advancements like new radio technologies, reduced capability elements for Internet of Things (IoT) devices, and dynamic network slicing are entering the market. These developments aim to enhance connectivity for various devices, including smartwatches and Augmented Reality (AR) glasses. MNOs are also shifting towards cloud-native network solutions, upgrading their voice core systems to support improved mobile core network growth.

The Dell'Oro Group's 2Q 2025 report highlighted that Multi-Access Edge Computing (MEC) grew by 32% year-over-year, with projections indicating a 44% increase for the full year. The vendor rankings identified Huawei, Ericsson, Nokia, and ZTE as key players across global and regional markets.