Ericsson is entering 2026 with a rare kind of momentum in the global 5G infrastructure market. Frost & Sullivan’s Frost Radar™: 5G Network Infrastructure, 2026 placed the Swedish company at the top for the sixth straight time, even as the sector now includes more than 100 global players.
That position matters because the ranking measures more than revenue alone. It reflects growth, innovation, R&D effectiveness, and the ability to scale new ideas into broader markets, areas where Ericsson continues to stand out.
AI as a network enabler
A major reason behind Ericsson’s lead is its use of AI across its product portfolio. The company applies AI from Massive MIMO to network management, with the goal of making 5G more open, more automated, and more energy efficient.
Per Narvinger, Executive Vice President at Ericsson, said this approach expands what operators can do when building more flexible networks. It also reduces dependence on a single infrastructure model, as AI and automation work together to shape deployment choices.
That broader technical reach has helped Ericsson hold a strong position across Radio Access Network, transport systems, core, and edge network segments. The company is also viewed as solid in Open and Virtual RAN, as well as private networks.
Scale backed by heavy R&D spending
Innovation alone has not been enough to separate vendors in a crowded market. Ericsson has also leaned on substantial research and development investment to keep its portfolio moving from concept to commercial deployment.
In 2025, the company allocated nearly 21 percent of its total revenue to R&D. Frost & Sullivan said that level of spending helps Ericsson turn new ideas into reliable products at scale, which is essential in a market where technical advancement must also be deployment-ready.
Troy Morley, Industry Principal Analyst at Frost & Sullivan, highlighted scalability as one of Ericsson’s main strengths. He said the company is able to move innovations from the lab to the global market quickly across multiple technology generations.
Energy efficiency becomes a competitive factor
Alongside AI and R&D, energy efficiency has become another important part of Ericsson’s strategy. The company reduced energy consumption at new radio base station sites by 40 percent in 2025 and set a more ambitious target of 50 percent by 2027.
That progress is supported by hardware modernization and intent-driven software, including newer processors in its 5G Core solution that are designed to cut power use significantly. The emphasis on lower energy consumption is increasingly relevant as operators face cost pressure and the telecom industry is pushed toward more environmentally responsible operations.
For network buyers, this means efficiency is no longer a secondary feature. It has become a competitive advantage with clear business value.
Strong position in global and Indonesian markets
Ericsson’s ranking strength is not based only on revenue growth. Frost & Sullivan’s assessment also considers the quality of R&D strategy and the ability to expand innovation into wider market adoption.
The company has also been reinforcing its presence in Indonesia through collaboration with multiple mobile operators. There, intelligent and resilient 5G is positioned as a key foundation for digital transformation across sectors.
Nora Wahby, President Director of Ericsson Indonesia, said 5G will be a critical infrastructure layer for national economic competitiveness. She also underlined Ericsson’s commitment as a long-term partner in support of Indonesia Emas 2045.
Morley added that Ericsson’s comprehensive 5G portfolio and leadership in Open RAN place the company in a very strong position. With AI, large-scale R&D, and energy efficiency working together, Ericsson enters 2026 as one of the most prepared players to shape the next phase of global 5G development.
