Global 5G Network Slicing Market to Reach $67.52 Billion by 2030

According to a new forecast by ABI Research, the global 5G network slicing market is poised for explosive growth, soaring from $6.1 billion in 2025 to an impressive $67.52 billion by 2030. This represents a staggering compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 70%, marking a substantial upward revision from earlier estimates. This surge in market value is primarily fueled by the intensified monetization efforts of major telecom operators, including China Mobile, Deutsche Telekom, and T-Mobile US, alongside the expanding base of 5G Standalone (SA)-capable smartphones.

The Role of 5G Standalone in Driving Network Slicing

Central to the success of 5G network slicing is the deployment of 5G Standalone (SA) cores, a critical enabler for unlocking the full potential of slicing and other advanced features such as enhanced security. However, the adoption of 5G SA has been challenging due to its complexity. Integration of cloud-native tools and SA cores into existing telecom environments remains a significant hurdle, slowing the pace of deployments. Notably, Asia-Pacific leads the global network slicing market, with China alone accounting for over 95% of the region’s revenue in 2025, thanks to its aggressive rollout of 5G SA infrastructure. While Asia-Pacific currently dominates, its market share is expected to drop to 73% by 2030 as other regions, like Europe and North America, catch up.

Industry Verticals and Use Cases: Where is Growth Happening?

The applications of 5G network slicing span across various industries, with “carpeted” verticals such as retail, stadiums, and financial services emerging as early adopters. These sectors are poised for rapid growth due to their relatively simplistic application needs and faster return on investment (ROI). On the other hand, more demanding industries like oil and gas face a slower adoption curve due to the complexity and mission-critical nature of their requirements. Notably, industrial manufacturing remains a crucial vertical, albeit growing at a slower pace compared to carpeted industries.

Public 5G Infrastructure vs. Private Networks

The report also highlights a shift in enterprise preferences. For many businesses, deploying network slicing over public 5G infrastructure is becoming a more viable and attractive option compared to building private 5G networks. This trend introduces new challenges and headwinds for the private networking market. Meanwhile, consumer applications are projected to emerge as the largest segment within the network slicing market by 2030, with an estimated revenue of $24.3 billion. Interestingly, business-to-business (B2B) use cases are expected to account for 64% of the total market value during the same period, emphasizing the dual potential of network slicing across consumer and enterprise sectors.

A New Era of Telecommunications

ABI Research’s updated forecast underscores the transformative potential of 5G network slicing in reshaping the telecommunications landscape. Beyond the technological advancements, this growth reflects broader market trends, including the rollout of 5G infrastructure, increasing device compatibility, and evolving enterprise needs. With Asia-Pacific continuing to spearhead the adoption and other regions closing the gap, the global race to capitalize on 5G network slicing is heating up. As industries explore the capabilities of slicing, the telecommunications sector is set to witness unprecedented levels of innovation and market expansion over the next decade.