Cisco Increases its Lead in Mobile Internet Infrastructure

RENO, NV, June 25, 2014

New Q1 data from Synergy Research Group shows that Cisco continues to lead in the market for mobile internet infrastructure, which includes mobile IP backhaul, mobile packet backbone, MPC/EPC and service provider WiFi. Cisco is the clear leader with a Q1 market share of over 29%, followed at a distance by Alcatel-Lucent, Huawei, Ericsson and NSN. Service provider WiFi is by far the highest growth segment within the market, although it remains relatively small. Cisco also leads in this segment, though it is now being strongly challenged by Aruba.

In Q3 mobile internet infrastructure revenues were $2 billion, the seventh consecutive quarter in which this milestone was reached. Growth has slowed down substantially over the last three quarters, however, and remains well off the pace achieved in 2012 and previous years. While the rolling annual growth rate for mobile internet infrastructure is now below 5%, revenue from service provider WiFi continues to surge and grew 25% year-over-year.

“Cisco’s position is thanks mainly to its strength in switching and routing for mobile IP networks, though it has a strong presence in several other segments too” said John Dinsdale, a Chief Analyst and Research Director at Synergy Research Group. “With fixed and mobile broadband subscribers breaking the three billion mark and set to reach five billion well within the next four years, this is a good market in which to be strongly positioned.”