France 5G Network Infrastructure Market - Forecasts From 2025 To 2030

Description

The France 5G Network Infrastructure Market is forecast to advance at a CAGR of 5.28%, attaining USD 3.655 billion in 2030 from USD 2.826 billion in 2025.

France 5G Network Infrastructure Market Key Highlights

• The French 5G market has rapidly advanced, achieving approximately 56,400 commercial 5G sites deployed across Metropolitan France by the end of Q3 2024, with roughly 33,700 of these sites utilizing the primary 3.5 GHz band, as governed by ARCEP.
• The deployment of Standalone (SA) 5G Core Network functionalities by major operators like SFR, which included the launch of 'slicing' services for enterprise customers in late 2024, is actively transforming the B2B market by enabling differentiated Quality of Service (QoS).
• Mandatory coverage obligations stipulated by the 2020 spectrum auction require operators to achieve specific site deployment milestones by set deadlines, ensuring a sustained, long-term demand curve for RAN equipment and transport network capacity.
• The regulatory environment, including the provision of dedicated Private 5G licenses in the 3.8-4.0 GHz band to organizations such as SNCF Réseau and Capgemini, directly fosters demand for Edge Infrastructure and specific 5G New Radio (NR) equipment outside of public carrier networks.

The French 5G network infrastructure market is transitioning from the initial Non-Standalone (NSA) rollout phase, which leveraged existing 4G core assets, toward a more technologically complex Standalone (SA) architecture. This shift is an imperative driven by regulatory mandates and the escalating commercial requirement to deliver advanced capabilities such as ultra-low latency and network slicing. As the nation's four major mobile network operators—Orange, SFR, Bouygues Telecom, and Free Mobile—fulfill their license obligations, the market is characterized by substantial and targeted investments in Radio Access Network (RAN) densification, 5G Core virtualization, and high-capacity Transport/Backhaul Network solutions, setting the stage for industrial and enterprise application monetization.

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France 5G Network Infrastructure Market Analysis

Growth Drivers

The stringent regulatory coverage mandates imposed by ARCEP compel continuous capital expenditure, directly creating persistent demand for RAN components. Operators must deploy a specified number of sites utilizing the 3.4-3.8 GHz band, increasing the volume requirement for mid-band antenna arrays and baseband units to meet coverage and minimum speed obligations. Furthermore, the exponential increase in mobile data traffic, with average monthly mobile data per SIM card consistently rising, necessitates substantial upgrades to the Transport or Backhaul Network, driving demand for high-capacity fiber and microwave links to prevent network saturation. This traffic volume acts as a direct catalyst for infrastructure scaling.

Challenges and Opportunities

A primary challenge involves the technical complexity and high initial capital expenditure associated with migrating to a Standalone (SA) 5G Core Network. This complexity constrains the immediate demand for new 5G Core software and hardware by extending the NSA reliance. However, this challenge simultaneously presents a significant opportunity: the deployment of Open RAN (O-RAN) technologies. Open RAN, exemplified by the experimental work of operators like Orange, creates a new avenue for disaggregated network components and fosters a diversified, non-traditional vendor supply chain, thereby increasing the total addressable market for virtualized RAN software and specialized network orchestration tools. This liberalization directly generates demand for new Network Management and Orchestration solutions.

Raw Material and Pricing Analysis

The French 5G Network Infrastructure Market fundamentally relies on physical hardware, including Radio Units, Baseband Units, and specialized server equipment for the Core Network. Key raw materials include high-performance semiconductors, specialized filter components for RF equipment, and rare earth elements necessary for advanced magnets in active antenna systems. Pricing dynamics are subject to global semiconductor supply chain volatility and geopolitical constraints, which inflate the acquisition cost of all active RAN and 5G Core equipment. These rising input costs put upward pressure on the final equipment prices for French operators, potentially compelling them to favor Network Function Virtualization (NFV) or cloud-native solutions to amortize infrastructure costs over a software-defined lifespan rather than solely relying on proprietary hardware.

Supply Chain Analysis

The global supply chain for 5G infrastructure is concentrated, characterized by major production hubs in East Asia (e.g., South Korea, China) and Northern Europe (e.g., Finland, Sweden). The supply chain exhibits high logistical complexity due to the custom nature and heavy weight of high-end active antenna systems and the strategic dependency on a limited number of specialized component manufacturers. This dependency introduces geopolitical risk and single-source failure points, particularly for sophisticated hardware utilized in the RAN and 5G Core Network. French operators mitigate this via diversification requirements set forth in the EU's 5G security framework, which supports domestic and diversified vendor contracts, marginally increasing demand for alternative European and non-European equipment suppliers.

Government Regulations

In-Depth Segment Analysis

By Deployment Mode: Standalone (SA)

The transition to the Standalone (SA) deployment mode, which utilizes a cloud-native 5G Core Network entirely separate from the 4G Core, is a critical growth driver. SA is the only architecture capable of enabling advanced 5G functionalities, notably network slicing, which is the foundational technology for monetizing enterprise services. The need for the SA mode is directly fueled by the corporate imperative for differentiated quality of service (QoS) and dedicated virtual networks. For instance, the launch of 5G slicing services by SFR in late 2024, providing "privileged access service" and a "tailor-made slicing service" to enterprise customers, establishes a commercial model that is exclusively reliant on the SA architecture. This development in turn propels the demand for cloud-native 5G Core Network components, including User Plane Functions (UPF) and Access and Mobility Management Functions (AMF), as well as associated Network Management and Orchestration software to handle the virtualization and automation required for dynamic slicing. Operators must invest in this high-complexity infrastructure to unlock the enterprise revenue streams promised by 5G.

By End-User: Manufacturing and Industrial Automation

The Manufacturing and Industrial Automation sector represents a major source of specialized demand for the France 5G Network Infrastructure Market, shifting the focus from mere coverage to ultra-reliable, low-latency communication (URLLC). The requirement is not for generic mobile broadband but is critically driven by the necessity for Factory 4.0 applications such as real-time robotic process control, massive IoT sensor deployment, and Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs). These applications mandate sub-20ms latency and high connection density, requirements that can only be reliably met by dedicated Private 5G Networks utilizing the mid-band and an on-premises Edge Infrastructure. Projects like ArcelorMittal's "5G Steel" in Dunkirk illustrate this demand for controlled, in-house network infrastructure to protect against technical issues with external operators. This enterprise-specific need bypasses the general public carrier rollout, creating focused demand for tailored equipment, integration services, and dedicated spectrum utilization within the 3.8-4.0 GHz band.

Competitive Environment and Analysis

The French 5G network infrastructure market is defined by a dichotomy between four major Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), who are the primary purchasers, and a few global technology providers who are the dominant sellers. The MNOs—Orange, SFR, Bouygues Telecom, and Free Mobile (Iliad S.A.)—compete fiercely on coverage and network performance as they fulfill their ARCEP license obligations. The supplier market is heavily influenced by geopolitical security mandates, effectively limiting the competition for core and high-value RAN segments to predominantly European and American vendors.

Nokia Solutions and Networks S.A.S.

Nokia maintains a strategic and reinforced position in the French market, benefiting directly from the government's security and vendor diversification imperatives. The company provides a comprehensive portfolio spanning the RAN, 5G Core, and Transport Network segments. Its strategy centers on long-term partnerships with French MNOs and a strong commitment to Open RAN solutions, as demonstrated by its participation in operator trials. Nokia’s verifiable, high-profile activity includes a significant role as a key infrastructure vendor for Orange's network deployment, which solidifies its strategic positioning as a core European alternative to restricted foreign vendors, securing a strong and sustained share of the infrastructure spend.

Ericsson France

Ericsson is a critical infrastructure partner in France, strategically positioning itself as a leader in deploying high-performance, resilient networks, particularly in the 3.4-3.8 GHz band. The company’s focus is on providing robust end-to-end 5G solutions, including advanced cloud-native 5G Core software that supports complex functions like network slicing, a key enabler for B2B applications. Its commitment to the French market is underlined by its sustained work with major operators like Bouygues Telecom and SFR on their core and radio network upgrades, ensuring its products are central to the critical path of 5G SA rollout and network modernization efforts required to meet the increasing capacity demands.

Cisco Systems International BV

Cisco's strategic positioning in the French 5G market focuses heavily on the Transport or Backhaul Network and 5G Core virtualization layers, rather than the traditional RAN. The company leverages its strong market presence in routing, switching, and software-defined networking (SDN) to provide the high-capacity, 400G-ready backbone infrastructure necessary to support the massive increase in 5G data traffic. Its verifiable partnership with SFR, where Cisco provided ASR 9000 routers and segment routing technology, demonstrates its core strength in strengthening the operator's business infrastructure backbone, which is essential for upcoming 5G and IoT services requiring strict Service Level Agreements (SLAs).

Recent Market Developments

December 2024: SFR Launches 5G SA Network Slicing Services for Enterprises

SFR Business introduced two new 5G network 'slicing' options—'Slice Enterprise' and 'Slice More'—using its 5G SA technology in the 3.5 GHz band. This development is a commercial activation of the 5G Core Network's most advanced feature, directly driving demand for 5G SA-enabled devices and SIM cards within the enterprise segment by offering dedicated, tailored bandwidth and Quality of Service (QoS).

January 2023: Bouygues Telecom and SFR Submit 5G Network Sharing Amendment to ARCEP

ARCEP received amendments to the network sharing agreement between Bouygues Telecom and SFR, with the principal objective being to extend the existing agreement, which previously covered 2G, 3G, and 4G, to include 5G technology. This amendment, pending ARCEP’s review, is a key capacity-addition strategy that aims to increase the density of the shared network with new cell sites, creating immediate, consolidated demand for RAN equipment for joint deployment in the shared geographical area.

France 5G Network Infrastructure Market Segmentation

• BY COMPONENT
  • RAN
  • 5G Core Network
  • Transport or Backhaul Network
  • Edge Infrastructure
  • Network Management and Orchestration
  • Others
• BY SPECTRUM BAND
  • Low-band (<1 GHz)
  • Mid-band (1-6 GHz)
  • High-band/ mmWave (>24 GHz)
• BY DEPLOYMENT TYPE
  • Public Carrier Networks
  • Private 5G Networks
  • Shared Infrastructure
  • Hybrid
• BY DEPLOYMENT MODE
  • Standalone
  • Non-Standalone
• BY END-USER
  • Telecom Operators
  • Manufacturing and Industrial Automation
  • Transportation & Logistics
  • Energy and Utilities
  • Healthcare
  • Education
  • Retail and Hospitality
  • Public Sector
  • Other Enterprises

Table Of Contents

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

2. MARKET SNAPSHOT

2.1. Market Overview

2.2. Market Definition

2.3. Scope of the Study

2.4. Market Segmentation

3. BUSINESS LANDSCAPE

3.1. Market Drivers

3.2. Market Restraints

3.3. Market Opportunities

3.4. Porter's Five Forces Analysis

3.5. Industry Value Chain Analysis

3.6. Policies and Regulations

3.7. Strategic Recommendations

4. TECHNOLOGICAL OUTLOOK

5. FRANCE 5G NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE MARKET BY COMPONENT

5.1. Introduction

5.2. RAN

5.3. 5G Core Network

5.4. Transport or Backhaul Network

5.5. Edge Infrastructure

5.6. Network Management and Orchestration

5.7. Others

6. FRANCE 5G NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE MARKET BY SPECTRUM BAND

6.1. Introduction

6.2. Low-band (<1 GHz)

6.3. Mid-band (1-6 GHz)

6.4. High-band/ mmWave (>24 GHz)

7. FRANCE 5G NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE MARKET BY DEPLOYMENT TYPE

7.1. Introduction

7.2. Public Carrier Networks

7.3. Private 5G Networks

7.4. Shared Infrastructure

7.5. Hybrid

8. FRANCE 5G NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE MARKET BY DEPLOYMENT MODE

8.1. Introduction

8.2. Standalone

8.3. Non-Standalone

9. FRANCE 5G NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE MARKET BY END-USER

9.1. Introduction

9.2. Telecom Operators

9.3. Manufacturing and Industrial Automation

9.4. Transportation & Logistics

9.5. Energy and Utilities

9.6. Healthcare

9.7. Education

9.8. Retail and Hospitality

9.9. Public Sector

9.10. Other Enterprises

10. COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT AND ANALYSIS

10.1. Major Players and Strategy Analysis

10.2. Market Share Analysis

10.3. Mergers, Acquisitions, Agreements, and Collaborations

10.4. Competitive Dashboard

11. COMPANY PROFILES

11.1. Orange S.A.

11.2. SFR (Altice France S.A.)

11.3. Bouygues Telecom S.A.

11.4. Free Mobile (Iliad S.A.)

11.5. Nokia Solutions and Networks S.A.S.

11.6. Ericsson France

11.7. Cisco Systems International BV

11.8. Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.

11.9. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

11.10. NEC Corporation

12. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

LIST OF FIGURES

LIST OF TABLES

Companies Profiled

Orange S.A.

SFR (Altice France S.A.)

Bouygues Telecom S.A.

Free Mobile (Iliad S.A.)

Nokia Solutions and Networks S.A.S.

Ericsson France

Cisco Systems International BV

Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

NEC Corporation

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