The in-building wireless market is transforming significantly as private 5G networks are expected to close the gap with Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS). Due to the latest research from ABI Research, the private 5G market, which is currently 14 times smaller than DAS, is expected to grow at a CAGR of 63% compared with DAS’ 21% through 2029.
This rapid growth could result in a market value of approximately $19.4 billion for private 5G by 2029, as compared with $44.2 billion for DAS, signalling a dramatic shift in how enterprises are approaching in-building connectivity.
“While DAS will remain the go-to solution for large-scale environments like airports, offering broad coverage with minimal investment in new infrastructure, private 5G is gaining traction across various sectors due to its support for advanced technologies like mmWave, low latency, and IoT applications,” said Sam Bowling, Research Analyst at ABI Research. “As demand grows for next-gen applications and more customised connectivity solutions, private 5G is poised for broader adoption in the coming years, particularly in greenfield sites where tailored networks can be fully optimised.”
The path to widespread adoption of in-building wireless solutions, however, is presented with challenges. Providers need to address issues such as the need for scalable, reliable coverage in complex environments, diverse building architectures and growing demand for high-bandwidth, low-latency connectivity to support next generation applications.
The high costs and complexity of network installation and upgrades are another challenge.
Some vendors have developed solutions such as Ericsson‘s Radio Dot, a neutral host system, which has been approved by major US carriers and provides flexible coverage in dense, high-traffic environments such as airports.
“The in-building wireless market is poised for continued growth, driven by DAS and private 5G deployments. While private 5G is set to expand faster than DAS, catering to industries requiring customised, high-performance networks, DAS will remain crucial for large-scale environments needing broad coverage. To stay competitive, vendors should prioritise trends like network slicing and neutral host solutions, as these will enable more flexible, scalable, and cost-effective deployments. By aligning their solutions with these evolving needs, vendors can ensure their technologies remain relevant and are widely adopted in the future of in-building connectivity,” concluded Bowling.
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