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Global spending on mission-critical 3GPP networks and related applications reached USD 5.4 billion in 2025 and is projected to exceed USD 9.2 billion by the end of 2028, according to new market research from SNS Telecom & IT.
Mission-critical communications has traditionally relied on narrowband land mobile radio networks for voice and low-speed data. The sector has moved from analogue systems to digital standards such as APCO P25 and TETRA, which brought improved voice quality and end-to-end encryption. However, bandwidth constraints have limited their suitability for mobile broadband and data-intensive industrial and public safety use cases.
LTE and 5G New Radio have emerged as the leading cellular alternatives. Operators and specialised providers have launched dedicated private networks, hybrid commercial-private networks, and secure MVNO-based services. Many organisations also use standard public mobile networks for parts of their communications stack.
More deployments now target broadband services beyond voice. Use cases include push-to-talk group communications, multimedia messaging, and high-definition video feeds. Some programmes also support beyond-visual-line-of-sight drone operations and situational awareness tools. Industrial settings are adopting cellular connectivity for automation, collaborative robots, and automated guided vehicles.
National programmes
Several countries have advanced national or nationwide public safety broadband platforms. Examples cited include FirstNet in the United States and Safe-Net in South Korea, along with Saudi Arabia's mission-critical broadband network and Great Britain's Emergency Services Network. France's RRF, Sweden's SWEN, and Finland's VIRVE 2 are also among the deployments referenced.
Outside public safety, defence organisations are pursuing 5G initiatives focused on tactical cellular systems and private networks at military bases. Utilities are deploying regional cellular networks aligned with their service footprints. Rail operators are preparing for Future Railway Mobile Communication System deployments, which would replace or supplement existing train-to-ground communications in several markets.
In industrial environments, non-public networks are expanding at airports, maritime ports, and energy facilities. The research cites deployments at power plants, substations, and offshore wind farms. Remote mining sites, factories, and warehouses are also extending private cellular coverage where Wi-Fi and other wireless options have not met operational needs.
From complement to replacement
For years, public safety agencies and other users treated LTE and 5G as complements to existing radio networks: cellular for broadband applications, and LMR for mission-critical voice. SNS Telecom & IT argues this is changing as 3GPP features become commercially available and more widely implemented.
The research highlights Mission-Critical PTT, Video, and Data services under the MCX umbrella, along with QoS, Priority, and Preemption capabilities to manage network resources during congestion. It also cites High-Power User Equipment and Isolated Operation for Public Safety. Ultra-Reliable, Low-Latency Communications and Time-Sensitive Communications are listed as additional enablers shaping roadmap decisions for critical users.
Further 5G functions could affect how quickly organisations retire legacy LMR systems. The report points to 5G multicast-broadcast services for MCX delivery in high-density scenarios, and 5G NR sidelink for direct device-to-device links outside network coverage. It also notes vehicle-mounted relays, mobile base stations with wireless backhaul, and satellite non-terrestrial network integration.
The research also notes support for narrower 5G NR bandwidths in dedicated spectrum bands. These bands are relevant for public protection and disaster relief, utilities, and railways, where spectrum policy and propagation requirements differ from consumer mobile services.
Growth outlook
In its LTE & 5G for Critical Communications: 2025 - 2030 publication, SNS Telecom & IT estimates investments reached USD 5.4 billion in 2025. It forecasts a compound annual growth rate of about 19% over the following three years, implying spending would exceed USD 9.2 billion by the end of 2028.
The forecast is driven by public safety broadband deployments, defence communications programmes, and smart grid modernisation. FRMCS planning and industrial internet of things initiatives are also expected to contribute.
Looking further ahead, SNS Telecom & IT anticipates a mix of spectrum strategies. Sub-1 GHz wide-area networks are expected to remain important for national-scale services, utility communications, and GSM-R replacement. The firm also forecasts growth in mid-band deployments, including systems using Band n101 at 1.9 GHz and Band n79 at 4.4-5 GHz. Millimetre wave spectrum is expected to remain focused on specialised applications.
SNS Telecom & IT said "LTE and 5G networks have gained recognition as all-inclusive critical communications platforms and are nearing the point where they can fully replace legacy LMR systems with a future-proof transition path."