EMEA Dominates 5G Mobile Core Growth as European Operators Lead Rollout

The surge in activity stems largely from a strategic push toward 5G Standalone networks. According to Siân Morgan, senior director at Dell'Oro Group, 80 percent of operators launching 5G Standalone services for consumers this year are based in Europe. This aggressive deployment allowed EMEA to eclipse other regions in revenue contribution, even as mobile network operators began exercising tighter control over project budgets due to escalating server prices.

While 5G infrastructure spending climbs, the broader market faces conflicting pressures. Revenue from IP Multimedia Subsystems (IMS) has contracted for the third consecutive quarter, signaling a wider decline in voice core investment. Simultaneously, 4G Wireless Packet Core revenue continues to outperform the market, sustained by operators who have yet to transition to 5G Standalone architectures. Despite the 5G growth, total revenue in the sector has not yet matched the peak levels historicaly seen during the 4G era, as the industry struggles to balance the need for operational automation against the rising costs of necessary hardware.