The mobile communication system is bifurcated into two primary components: the access network and the core network.

The core network, acting as the 'brain and central nervous system' of the mobile communication network (excluding the wireless access network), undertakes crucial functions such as user authentication, location management, session setup, data forwarding, policy-based billing, voice continuity, and interfacing with external networks.

Consequently, the core network stands as the most pivotal and central element.

Recently, a reputable agency unveiled the market share statistics for global mobile core networks for the second quarter of 2026.

According to the data, the global mobile core network revenue in Q2 reached $782 million, demonstrating positive growth both sequentially and year-over-year, signaling a resurgence in the core network sector. The annual forecast stands at $4.51 billion, marking a 4.5% increase from the previous year.

Naturally, the bulk of core network revenue is currently derived from 5G, accounting for over 70%, while revenue from 4G and other technologies is on a decline.

The rankings and market shares of the leading brands are depicted in the figure above. Huawei generated $250 million in revenue, reclaiming the global top spot, outpacing Ericsson with a 32% market share and a 35% sequential increase. Ericsson secured the second position with $214 million in revenue and a 27.4% share.

ZTE ranked third with $105 million in revenue and a 13.4% share, experiencing a notable 188% sequential increase. Trailing ZTE are Nokia, Cisco, Samsung, NEC, and other brands.

The top three brands command over 70% of the market share, indicating a relatively high level of concentration. Brands ranked fifth, sixth, and seventh—Samsung, Cisco, and NEC—collectively account for less than 8%.

The agency predicts that for the full year, Huawei's market share may reach approximately 29%, while Ericsson's will hover around 25.8%, with a relatively narrow gap of only 3 percentage points between the two. ZTE is anticipated to have an 11.7% share for the full year, ranking third and surpassing Nokia.

The 5G core network is currently in its final growth phase, with revenue projected to hit $3.03 billion in 2026. Post-2027, growth is expected to decelerate and subsequently decline as 6G technology emerges.

Post-2027, the 6G core network is forecasted to experience a surge, with revenue projected to reach $350 million in 2027 and continue to escalate significantly, potentially surpassing $5 billion at its peak.

From these figures, it is clear that Huawei maintains its leadership position in the global mobile communication market, with Ericsson also performing admirably. ZTE is slightly trailing, while Nokia seems to be lagging, no longer a formidable competitor to Huawei and Ericsson, and now on par with ZTE.