Swedish telecommunications giant Ericsson has once again claimed the top spot in the Frost Radar™: 5G Network Infrastructure Market, 2025 report for the fifth consecutive year, affirming its leadership in shaping next-generation mobile networks and highlighting its continued commitment to innovation and growth.
The Frost Radar™, compiled by global research firm Frost & Sullivan, evaluated over 100 companies and shortlisted 23 leading global vendors based on innovation and growth. Ericsson stood out for its robust portfolio, cutting-edge use of artificial intelligence (AI) and energy-efficient hardware design, and strategic partnerships, including in South East Asia.
A key contributor to this success has been Ericsson’s contributions to the 5G landscape and strong presence in Malaysia, where it serves as the sole 5G network provider for Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB), which operates the nation’s single wholesale network (SWN) alongside four telcos. The partnership has helped accelerate Malaysia’s national 5G rollout, which has been widely recognised as one of the fastest and most inclusive in the region.
“Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB) continues to drive innovation through its world-class 5G network, consistently ranked among the best globally. DNB sets new benchmarks in speed, consistency, affordability, and security,” said David Hägerbro, head of Ericsson Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
“For Ericsson, this partnership exemplifies our shared commitment to technological leadership, which is reflected in our recent #1 ranking in the Frost Radar™️ for 5G Infrastructure. We are proud to support DNB in sustaining its leading network position, co-creating innovative solutions, and advancing Malaysia’s digital transformation.”
Frost & Sullivan cited Ericsson’s ongoing investments in R&D — totalling over 21 per cent of revenue in 2024 — as a key factor in its sustained industry leadership. The company’s expansive 5G infrastructure portfolio includes radio access networks (RAN), virtual and Open RAN, core and edge networks, and private networks.
According to the Frost Radar™ report, Ericsson’s innovative approach to mobile networks is further demonstrated by the use of AI to automate network offerings and promote network APIs.
Per Narvinger, executive vice president and head of Business Area Networks at Ericsson, stated, “Our consistent top ranking in the Frost Radar™ report shows our dedication to innovation in a dynamic market. By focusing on customer-centric solutions and using advanced technologies like AI and intent-driven automation, we are enhancing network programmability. This enables differentiated connectivity and supports our customers in their journey toward autonomous networks.”
The report also highlighted Ericsson’s increasing focus on energy-efficient designs and software optimisation, aligning with global demands for more sustainable and cost-effective mobile infrastructure. Notably, the company has introduced smaller, lighter hardware and automation-powered software to enhance network performance and reduce energy consumption.
“Leading the global 5G network infrastructure market for five consecutive years is a remarkable achievement. Ericsson has consistently outperformed traditional competitors and fended off emerging entrants in this challenging market,” said Troy Morley, senior industry analyst at Frost & Sullivan. He further highlighted that Ericsson’s ability to scale innovations globally, while remaining financially stable and responsive to market shifts, has ensured its top-tier status.
The Frost Radar™ also praised Ericsson’s strategic acquisitions – including Cradlepoint and Vonage in 2020 and 2022 respectively, which have helped expand its enterprise offerings beyond CSPs (communications service providers), opening up new avenues for growth in private networks and cloud-native 5G applications.
Across Asia, Ericsson is actively engaged with regional partners to support national digital agendas, from smart city development and industrial automation to rural connectivity expansion. In Malaysia, the Ericsson-DNB partnership is widely viewed as a benchmark public-private collaboration in 5G infrastructure deployment.
As the global 5G landscape continues to evolve, Ericsson’s consistent top ranking reaffirms both its global competitiveness and its local relevance in driving South East Asia’s digital economy forward. 