6G Investment Surge Expected to Begin by 2030, Insights from Dell'Oro Group

Understanding the Future of 6G Investment

As the world looks forward to the next leap in mobile technology, excitement around 6G continues to build. Dell'Oro Group, a leading authority on telecommunications market research, recently unveiled its latest insights regarding the future of 6G investments in their comprehensive report published in October 2025. This report indicates that we may witness a substantial upswing in capital expenditures (Capex) for 6G around 2030, influenced by a multitude of factors within the telecommunications landscape.

The RAN Market: A Steady but Challenging Landscape

One of the significant takeaways from the report is the expected stagnation of the Radio Access Network (RAN) market over the next decade. Historically, the RAN market has witnessed a mere 1% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) since 2000 in nominal USD terms, and when adjusted for inflation, the outlook appears even less optimistic. Stefan Pongratz, Vice President of RAN and Telecom Capex research at Dell'Oro Group, emphasizes that despite these challenges, the RAN network remains a critical component of the telecommunications ecosystem.

Pongratz notes that there will be opportunities to broaden RAN use cases beyond the traditional mobile broadband (MBB) applications, though the industry must navigate serious near-term risks, especially as data traffic begins to slow down. This presents a complicated scenario for operators who must balance infrastructure investment and operational efficiency in an evolving digital landscape.

A Look Ahead: Potential Growth and Investment Strategies

According to the baseline scenario outlined by Dell'Oro, the RAN market is forecasted to remain flat over the next ten years due to anticipated utilization challenges of mobile networks by the late 2020s. To counteract these challenges, a ramp-up in 6G Capex, particularly focused on Massive MIMO systems within the Sub-7GHz/cm Wave spectrum, is expected. This ramp-up aims to leverage existing macro infrastructure as efficiently as possible, providing a pathway for enhanced capacity and performance.

Additionally, the report does not shy away from discussing growth scenarios that could potentially swing optimistic or pessimistic, showing how closely tied the market's health is to mobile data traffic trends and developments beyond MBB, such as private wireless networks and Fixed Wireless Access (FWA).

The report projects that cumulative investments in 6G RAN from 2029 to 2034 will account for a staggering 55 to 60 percent of the total RAN capital expenditure during that period. Such figures indicate not only the scale of investment needed for that transition but also the urgent need for telecommunications companies to prepare for the future.

Understanding the Report: Key Elements

Dell'Oro Group's 6G Advanced Research Report provides a detailed portrayal of the RAN market segmented by technology. It encompasses crucial metrics across various categories, including manufacturers' revenues and their prospective evolution over the next decade. Additionally, the report meticulously categorizes 6G RAN technology by spectrum (including Sub-7 GHz, cmWave, and mmWave), Massive MIMO capabilities, and regional markets such as North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean.

For companies and stakeholders eager to dive deep into the specifics of these trends, the report is available for purchase directly from Dell'Oro Group via their official channels.

About Dell'Oro Group

For those unfamiliar with Dell'Oro Group, it is a respected market research firm specializing in competitive analysis across various sectors including telecommunications, enterprise networking, data center infrastructure, and network security. The organization is renowned for its ability to deliver in-depth quantitative and qualitative analytics, assisting businesses in making informed, data-driven decisions. For additional information or to inquire about the report, stakeholders can reach Dell'Oro Group at +1.650.622.9400 or visit their website at www.delloro.com.

In conclusion, the road to 6G represents not just another chapter in mobile technology advancement but also a complex journey necessitating strategic foresight, careful investment, and an adaptive approach to emerging trends in data traffic and network usage. As we approach 2030, all eyes will be on how these dynamics unfold in the telecommunications sector.