Mobile network optimization’s $4.5 billion opportunity ripe for M&A activity

SINGAPORE: With the advent of the iPhone, the once boring mobile data process changed rapidly, with users suddenly downloading large volumes of data over their phones, causing mobile operators to frantically search for new solutions to help their networks handle the increased data traffic. Almost overnight, new markets appeared for products that didn’t exist a few years earlier and small companies hustled to introduce new technologies to take advantage of these opportunities.

“We’re talking big money here,” says Jim Eller, principal analyst, wireless infrastructure. “In 2016, mobile network operators will spend more than $1.8 billion on web/video optimization, more than $1.2 billion on policy management, more than $1.5 billion on deep packet inspection (DPI), and billions more on other test equipment, network probes, and other optimization solutions. Ten years ago, most of these products did not exist, so the market growth looks like the proverbial hockey stick.”

It is no longer just drive testing. A few years ago, optimization of mobile networks was primarily technicians in blue jeans climbing towers with RF test equipment and driving around to measure signal strength and dropped calls. Today, optimization focuses on managing the flood of data surging through mobile networks, and soon self-optimizing networks fine-tuning themselves without human intervention will be common. Blue jeans are no longer required.

Although some of the mobile network optimization revenue will go to the big network equipment vendors like Alcatel-Lucent, Ericsson, Huawei, Nokia Siemens Networks, and ZTE, most of the money will go to smaller companies specializing in technologies like DPI and video streaming. “With so much money on the table, some of these smaller companies will be attractive targets for M&A activity,” adds Aditya Kaul, practice director, mobile networks.

Most of these small start-ups are funded by venture capital. Some of the newer ones have not even shown a profit yet. But the growth potential for these companies looks very positive and the valuation of these companies is still relatively cheap. As a result, acquisitions in this space are already occurring.