1) 5G mmWave deployment will gain momentum
Stand-alone (SA) 5G uses a new infrastructure to run 5G networks. This is important for smart devices and other use cases to gain high download speed, use high bandwidth, and achieve low latency. SA 5G is especially important for mmWave deployments. Currently sub-6 GHz 5G technology is becoming the most popular spectrum for 5G that provides cellular coverage. However, only mm-Wave 5G can meet the bandwidth and speeds expected from the next-gen wireless communication.
2) 5G infrastructure planning will boom
Currently, most telcos are upgrading their standard macro towers to 5G. Due to the fast pace of 5G rollouts, operators are looking at tri-sector antennas also to co-locate with another provider. We can expect substantial investments in North America and Europe to connect rural communities as well. Overall, Gartner, a technology research and consulting company, estimates that the 5G infrastructure market is set for another year of growth in 2022, with investments expected to jump to $23.2 billion from $19 billion in 2021.
3) 6G will become more prevalent
The 6G infrastructure is already hotly debated as the next step in the cellular revolution. Various technologies are being explored, including network openness and open source SW-based mobile communication systems, network AI, privacy protection, virtualization and containerization, as well as quantum computing. The demand for 6G is already here, not in the least since it aims to improve the battery life of devices and the energy efficiency of the telecom network by a factor of two compared to 5G. A 6G network will contribute towards environmental sustainability by performing optimally while lowering the power consumption.
4) The Electronic Warfare market will grow
The Electronic Warfare (EW) market is expected to reach a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.8% during 2022, driven by higher usage of EW by defense and intelligence agencies. Some Asia Pacific countries, led by China, India, Japan, and South Korea, will invest considerably in homeland security and defense applications, as will the post-Afghanistan US.
5) Remote Management is becoming essential for the operation of RFoF links.
The majority of users typically need monitoring and control for all active elements of remote base station solutions. Such Management & Monitoring software can manage, monitor, and control RFoF converters locally and remotely. The software can log events and send notifications in case of equipment malfunction. The control & monitoring capabilities reduce the daily maintenance expense, allowing maintenance personnel to perform diagnostic tests and calibration in the field without special test equipment. Maintenance staff can also easily locate faults and issues in the optical and RF domains. Needless to say, such software has to be user-friendly, intuitive, and easy to operate.
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