ABI Research projects 5G network slicing market to reach $67.52 billion by 2030

Application Binary Interface (ABI) Research projected that the global market for 5G network slicing would grow from $6.1 billion in 2025 to $67.52 billion by 2030, representing a 70% Compound Annual Growth rate (CAGR). This forecast revises earlier estimates from 2023, which anticipated a market size of $19.5 billion by 2028. This market expansion aligns with increased activities by network operators such as China Mobile, Deutsche Telekom, and T-Mobile US, alongside a rising number of 5G Standalone (SA) (SA)-capable smartphones in use. The forecast also notes that integrating 5G SA cores and cloud-native tools into existing network and IT setups has proven complex, which moderates growth to some extent. 5G network slicing functionality requires deployment on a 5G SA core network and is specified by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) rather than ITU standards. The underlying technology includes network slicing capabilities as defined in the 3GPP technical specification TS 23.501 for 5G Systems Architecture. ABI Research's analysis observed that network slicing adoption varies by vertical. Simpler verticals such as retail, stadiums, and financial services exhibit more straightforward slicing implementations and quicker returns on investment compared to sectors with mission-critical demands, like oil and gas. Industrial manufacturing remains a sector of interest for network slicing, although with slower projected growth relative to the simpler verticals. Furthermore, some enterprises are increasingly adopting network slicing over public 5G infrastructure instead of deploying private 5G networks, influencing dynamics in the private networking market. By 2030, business-to-business applications are expected to account for 64% of the network slicing market value, while consumer applications are forecasted to generate approximately $24.3 billion. Regionally, Asia-Pacific dominates the network slicing market, accounting for 91% of global revenue in 2025, largely driven by China, which contributes more than 95% of the region’s revenue. Although Asia-Pacific is projected to maintain market leadership, its share is expected to decline to 73% by 2030 as other regions, including North America, increase their market presence. North America is anticipated to surpass Europe and the Middle East & Africa in market size by 2029. ABI Research’s updated projections incorporate recent trends such as telecom rollouts and consumer device support, recognizing challenges in integrating 5G SA and cloud-native solutions. The forecast reflects these factors along with the maturation of SA-capable smartphones expanding the potential consumer market.