Core Viewpoint - NEC's withdrawal from the 4G and 5G public base station development market signifies the complete collapse of the Japanese telecommunications equipment industry, highlighting the challenges faced by Japanese companies in the face of fierce competition from Chinese firms like Huawei and ZTE [1][5]. Group 1: NEC's Strategic Withdrawal - NEC's president, Takashi Morita, announced that the company will no longer invest in the public base station development sector, marking a significant shift from their previous goal of capturing 20% of the global market by 2030 [1][3]. - The company's market share has dwindled, with NEC and Fujitsu together holding less than 2% of the global base station market, while Huawei, Ericsson, and Nokia control nearly 80% [3][4]. - The competitive landscape for 5G has fundamentally changed, requiring higher technical standards and larger scale effects, which NEC, with a market share of less than 1%, cannot sustain [3][4]. Group 2: Structural Crisis in Japanese Telecommunications - NEC's exit reflects a broader crisis within the Japanese telecommunications equipment sector, with other companies like Fujitsu also divesting from similar businesses [5]. - The historical reliance on a closed domestic market has weakened Japanese firms' ability to compete globally, leading to their marginalization as they struggle to match the performance and cost-effectiveness of international competitors [5][6]. - NTT Docomo, Japan's largest mobile operator, has shifted its procurement strategy to favor foreign suppliers like Ericsson, further indicating the decline of domestic brands [6]. Group 3: NEC's Strategic Shift to Private Networks - Despite exiting the public base station market, NEC is pursuing a strategic pivot towards providing private 5G network solutions in collaboration with Cisco, targeting enterprise clients in Europe and the Middle East [7]. - This shift reflects NEC's recognition of the competitive landscape, where the enterprise private network market is less concentrated and allows for more customized services, an area where NEC has expertise [7]. Group 4: Challenges of Open RAN - NEC's previous involvement in Open RAN technology, which aimed to democratize the telecommunications equipment market, has not yielded the expected results, with deployment lagging behind initial projections [8][9]. - The challenges faced by Open RAN include technical maturity, total cost of ownership uncertainties, and system integration complexities, which hinder its widespread adoption [9][10]. Group 5: Rise of Chinese Competitors - In stark contrast to Japanese firms, Chinese companies like Huawei and ZTE have solidified their positions in the global 5G market, with Huawei holding 58% and ZTE 31% of the domestic market [11]. - Chinese firms are not only competitive on price but also lead in technological innovation, with Huawei's solutions significantly enhancing capacity and reducing energy consumption [11][12]. - The rapid advancement of technologies like 5G-A and RedCap by Chinese firms has established a generational gap in capabilities compared to their Japanese counterparts [12][14]. Group 6: Future Outlook and Implications - As Japan grapples with its telecommunications industry's decline, China is positioning itself for future advancements in 6G technology, leveraging its existing infrastructure and technological capabilities [14][15]. - The competitive landscape in telecommunications is evolving, with the importance of scale and continuous innovation becoming critical for survival in a technology-driven market [18].

Core Insights - The global cellular IoT module shipments are projected to grow by 10% year-on-year in Q3 2025, driven by demand in smart meters, asset tracking, routers/CPE, and automotive sectors [1] - The transition from traditional RF/PLC systems to cellular networks is accelerating, laying the groundwork for the next phase of capability-driven IoT deployment [1] Market Trends - Emerging markets and price-sensitive segments are the primary drivers of growth, with India experiencing a 40% year-on-year increase, supported by smart meters, POS terminals, and remote information processing technologies [1] - The Middle East and Africa achieved the second-fastest growth rate from a smaller base, benefiting from national utility modernization and demand for routers/CPE applications [1] - Latin American markets are expanding due to remote information processing and smart meter demand [1] - Mature markets show moderate growth, with China growing by 7%, Europe by 11%, and North America by only 4% due to cautious enterprise spending [1] Supplier Insights - Quectel maintains a leading position globally, benefiting from strong market shares in both China and overseas [4] - China Mobile ranks second, driven by domestic demand from operator initiatives [4] - SIMCom and Longsung rank third, propelled by shipments of POS and smart meters [4] - Lierda saw a 73% year-on-year growth, leveraging Cat-1 bis technology and increased adoption in South Korea and Southeast Asia [4] Technology Trends - Cat-1 bis has become the mainstream standard for large-scale IoT, accounting for nearly half of shipments in Q3 2025 [5] - RedCap is entering the commercial phase but will require pricing close to Cat-4/Cat-6 levels and broader 5G standalone coverage for substantial scaling [5] - Demand for AI-capable IoT modules is rising significantly across monitoring, automotive, industrial, and retail sectors, reflected in the product offerings of Quectel, Fibocom, and MeiG [5] - The value of IoT is shifting from "connecting hardware" to "edge intelligence and full lifecycle services" [5]

Core Insights - The global cellular IoT module shipments are projected to grow by 10% year-on-year in Q3 2025, driven by strong demand in smart meters, asset tracking, routers/CPE, and automotive applications [4][7] - Emerging markets, particularly India with a 40% year-on-year growth, are leading the growth, while mature markets like China and Europe show moderate increases [4][6][7] Market Trends - The transition from traditional RF/PLC systems to cellular networks is accelerating, laying the groundwork for capability-centric IoT deployments [4] - The average selling price (ASP) is declining, making cash flow strength a key differentiator among suppliers [4][7] - Cat-1 bis technology has solidified its position as a major contributor to global shipments, accounting for nearly half of the total [7][8] Supplier Performance - Quectel maintains its leading position globally, benefiting from strong market shares in both China and overseas [6] - China Mobile ranks second, driven by domestic demand, while SIMCom and Longsung rank third, propelled by shipments of POS and smart meters [6] - Lierda has seen a 73% year-on-year growth, leveraging Cat-1 bis technology and increased adoption in South Korea and Southeast Asia [6] Technological Developments - AI-enabled IoT modules are experiencing significant demand across various sectors, including monitoring, automotive, industrial, and retail [8] - The industry is shifting focus towards higher-value, AI-powered IoT solutions, with suppliers investing in edge intelligence, security software, and 5G-ready combinations [7][8] - RedCap is entering the commercial phase, but substantial scaling will depend on its pricing competitiveness with Cat-4/Cat-6 levels and broader 5G standalone network coverage [8]

Core Insights - The mobile core network (MCN) market experienced a year-on-year growth of 19% in Q2, with the 5G segment growing by 31% and the voice core segment by 18% [2] - The growth of 5G standalone (5G SA) networks is driven by an increase in the number of users and mobile network operators (MNOs) launching more 5G SA services, with 71 MNOs confirmed to have launched 5G SA services for consumers [2][5] - The adoption of new technologies such as NR RedCap and dynamic network slicing is expected to enhance the performance and reduce costs for IoT devices connected to 5G networks [2][8] Market Growth and Projections - The growth rate for the MCN market is projected to double to 10% by 2025 due to strong performance in the first two quarters of the year [2] - Despite only 10% of MNOs having launched 5G SA, the core space is accelerating due to the low penetration rate of 5G SA users, with only 14% of mobile users expected to have 5G SA services by the end of 2024 [5] - The revenue for 5G MCN is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6% from 2024 to 2029 [7] Technological Advancements - The introduction of NR RedCap is anticipated to lower costs and improve performance for IoT devices, with new 5G smartwatches expected to launch soon [8] - Multi-access edge computing (MEC) is also seeing significant growth, with a 32% year-on-year increase in Q2 2025 and an expected 44% growth for the year [11] - The integration of new voice technologies such as VoNR with cloud-native IMS Core is enhancing user experience and driving growth in voice core and 5G packet core markets [9] Industry Trends - MNOs are increasingly recognizing the potential of cloud-native networks, leading to upgrades in voice core systems, which is contributing to market growth [2][9] - The trend of migrating 5G core workloads to public cloud options is re-emerging, allowing MNOs to evaluate the best solutions for their markets [10] - The use of artificial intelligence in network operations is expected to drive demand for more core capacity as MNOs offer advanced AI tools to customers [9][10]

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes that artificial intelligence (AI) is driving a significant wave of innovation across various sectors, highlighting both opportunities and challenges that arise from this technological evolution [1][12]. Group 1: Artificial Intelligence Developments - AI is transitioning from being "ubiquitous" to "omnipotent," with advancements in large language models (LLMs) and AI agents, indicating a shift towards more practical and responsible applications [1][2]. - The research focus on LLMs remains high, with reports indicating a desire for AI to not only understand language but also to interpret images and sound, enhancing its logical reasoning and information processing capabilities [2]. - AI agents and embodied AI are emerging, suggesting that AI is moving beyond the digital realm to interact with the physical world, which is a crucial step towards achieving general artificial intelligence (AGI) [3]. Group 2: AI Applications Across Industries - AI is penetrating various industries, with significant potential in research, education, healthcare, and biotechnology, as evidenced by reports on AI's role in accelerating scientific discovery and transforming educational models [4]. - In the industrial and manufacturing sectors, AI is facilitating a transition towards smarter and more flexible operations, as highlighted in the 2025 Industrial Large Model White Paper [4]. - The military and defense sectors are increasingly focusing on AI applications, reflecting a competitive landscape among major powers in military intelligence [4]. Group 3: Energy Revolution - The energy sector is undergoing a transformation with a focus on renewable energy expansion and optimization, indicating a systemic approach to energy development [7]. - Reports emphasize the importance of energy diversification and security, highlighting the roles of nuclear energy and biofuels alongside renewable sources [7]. - The integration of AI into energy systems is enhancing management and operational efficiency, as seen in various reports on smart energy technologies [7]. Group 4: Robotics and Automation - The rise of humanoid robots is gaining attention, with multiple reports indicating optimism about their potential and the need for a comprehensive ecosystem [8]. - Specialized robots are being increasingly utilized in fields such as surgery and agriculture, showcasing the expanding applications of robotics [8]. - Drone technology is evolving, with applications in agriculture and military sectors, indicating its significance in future interconnected networks [8]. Group 5: Underlying Technologies - The semiconductor industry is crucial in the global tech competition, with reports highlighting the urgency for countries to reshape their semiconductor landscapes [9]. - Quantum computing is moving from theoretical exploration to practical applications, with increasing investments and patent activities indicating its potential [9]. - Connectivity technologies are advancing, with the evolution from 5G to 5G-A and the integration of AI, which is essential for building a faster and smarter digital infrastructure [9]. Group 6: Digital Society and Governance - The rise of digital society necessitates a reevaluation of security and trust, with reports indicating growing concerns over cybersecurity and data protection [11]. - The impact of AI on the workforce is significant, with a focus on human-machine collaboration and the importance of lifelong learning and skill updates [11]. - The dual-edged nature of technology highlights the need for proactive governance and responsible innovation to address emerging challenges [12].