The 5G market is thriving in aviation, expected to exceed $7.8bn by 2032, growing at a CAGR of over 26.4%. So states a recent report by Future Market Insights (FMI), which also highlights that that growth will primarily be coming from small cells, because of their better range and 5G signal quality.
Small cells are low-power cellular radio access nodes that can operate in different spectrums, with access range of between 10m and several kilometers – proving themselves to be an important method for increased connectivity and better signal quality and resilience.
Inside airports
5G technology is widely used at airports, for drones and aircraft repairing, but also passenger communication.
The speed of 5G technology is largely dependent on the frequencies used, some of which are used specifically for sending messages in congested areas and for tracking purposes. By using a combination of 5G and small cells, a missing airplane’s whereabouts can be identified and contacted.
Inside airports, small cells offer a wide range of technical and economic advantages, since they maximise the reuse of the radio spectrum. Small cells can integrate with Wi-Fi to offer a much faster connectivity.
Also, the combination of these technologies is expected to enhanced mobile broadband, with fast connections, offered to aviation technical staff but also travellers at airports.
Geo split
The 5G market in aviation will be the strongest in the US, growing at a CAGR 25.9% between 2022 and 2032, where the small-cell segment is expected to be the fastest growing, with a CAGR of 25.8% for the same period.
Proponents of 5G in aviation are focusing on developing the 5G infrastructure in airports, for better and faster connectivity and to access aircraft log data virtually.
Key players in this field are Ericsson, Nokia, Cisco Systems, Panasonic Avionics, Huawei Technologies, Gogo, Anuvu, OneWeb, Aeromobile Communication, Smartsky Network, Inseego Corp and Intelsat, among others.
Future Market Insights report offers more information, including analysis of the 5G market in aviation based on end use – 5G infrastructure for airports and aircraft; communication infrastructure – small cells and distributed antenna systems; technology – enhanced mobile broadband, fixed wireless access and ultra-reliable low latency /massive machine-type communications; and applications – airport operations, aircraft operations.
By Future Market Insights analysts
[Image Artur Tumasjan for Unsplash]
