Network Engineering Services Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented, By Type (Network Assessment, Network Design, Network Deployment), By Vertical (Telecom, Banking & Financial Services, Education, Energy & Utilities, Healthcare), By Region & Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 39.01 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	10.31%
Fastest Growing Segment	Network Design
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 70.29 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Network Engineering Services Market will grow from USD 39.01 Billion in 2025 to USD 70.29 Billion by 2031 at a 10.31% CAGR. Network Engineering Services encompass the strategic planning, design, implementation, and lifecycle management of communication infrastructures required to ensure reliable global connectivity. The market is primarily driven by the widespread adoption of cloud computing, the rapid expansion of IoT ecosystems, and the extensive deployment of next-generation wireless networks which demand specialized technical expertise. This surge in infrastructure development requires significant support; according to the 'GSMA', in 2024, 5G connections were projected to account for 51% of total mobile connections globally by 2029, underscoring the massive scale of necessary engineering work.

However, a significant challenge hindering market expansion is the acute shortage of skilled professionals capable of navigating increasingly complex, software-defined network environments. As enterprises modernize their systems, the scarcity of talent with advanced proficiency in areas such as virtualization and network security limits the ability of service providers to execute projects efficiently. This skills gap frequently results in implementation delays and elevated operational costs, effectively impeding the rapid adoption of advanced network technologies.

Key Market Drivers

The rapid deployment and commercialization of 5G infrastructure act as a primary catalyst for the network engineering services sector. As telecommunications operators transition from non-standalone to standalone architectures, the engineering requirements for core network integration, fiber backhaul densification, and antenna optimization become increasingly intricate. This architectural shift demands specialized engineering intervention to manage the physical and virtual complexities of next-generation connectivity. According to the Global mobile Suppliers Association (GSA), May 2024, in the '5G Standalone Summary', 49 operators had deployed or soft-launched 5G Standalone public networks globally, reflecting the intense engineering activity required to operationalize these advanced frameworks.

Simultaneously, the exponential growth in global mobile data traffic compels service providers to continuously upgrade network capacity and resilience. The proliferation of bandwidth-intensive applications necessitates rigorous capacity planning and load balancing to maintain quality of service. This relentless surge forces operators to invest heavily in network modernization and optimization services to prevent congestion and ensure low-latency performance. According to Ericsson, June 2024, in the 'Ericsson Mobility Report', global mobile network data traffic grew by 25 percent between the first quarter of 2023 and the first quarter of 2024, illustrating the massive load engineering teams must manage. To support such expanding ecosystems, substantial capital is directed toward infrastructure improvements; according to CTIA, in 2024, the U.S. wireless industry alone invested $30 billion during the previous year to grow and enhance network capabilities, underscoring the financial scale of the market.

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Key Market Challenges

The primary challenge inhibiting the growth of the Global Network Engineering Services Market is the acute shortage of qualified personnel required to manage modern, software-defined infrastructures. As communication networks evolve toward complex cloud integrations and virtualization, the demand for specialized technical proficiency significantly outpaces the available labor supply. This discrepancy forces service providers to delay critical implementation phases and allocate higher budgets for talent acquisition, which directly erodes profit margins and operational efficiency. The inability to rapidly staff projects with competent engineers prevents service providers from fulfilling the rising demand for next-generation connectivity, thereby slowing the overall momentum of market expansion.

The magnitude of this workforce deficiency is particularly evident in the shortage of experts capable of securing these advanced networks. According to 'ISC2', in 2024, the global cybersecurity workforce gap reached a record high of 4.8 million professionals. This substantial deficit in available talent limits the capacity of network engineering firms to secure and maintain global infrastructures effectively. Consequently, the persistent difficulty in sourcing skilled labor acts as a functional bottleneck, restricting the market from realizing its full potential despite strong demand.

Key Market Trends

The Expansion of Private 5G Network Engineering for Enterprises is reshaping the sector as organizations demand dedicated connectivity infrastructures. Unlike public networks, these bespoke environments require specialized engineering to ensure low latency and seamless integration with Operational Technology (OT) systems. This trend necessitates firms to design isolated architectures that support Industry 4.0 applications, such as autonomous robotics. According to the Global mobile Suppliers Association (GSA), June 2024, in the 'PrivateMobileNetworks June 2024 Summary', the cumulative number of customer references deploying private mobile networks reached 1,427 by the first quarter, reflecting the intensifying demand for specialized infrastructure design.

Simultaneously, the Integration of AIOps for Predictive Network Management has emerged as a critical trend for service providers striving to maintain stability amidst growing architectural complexity. As virtualized environments densify, traditional manual maintenance becomes obsolete, necessitating artificial intelligence-driven engineering frameworks that predict faults before they impact service quality. This transition forces engineering teams to embed machine learning algorithms to automate root cause analysis and dynamic resource allocation. This shift is evident in strategic planning; according to Cisco, May 2024, in the '2024 Global Networking Trends Report', 60% of IT leaders expect to have AI-enabled predictive network automation across all domains, underscoring the pivot toward automated engineering solutions.

Segmental Insights

The Network Design segment is characterized as the fastest growing category in the Global Network Engineering Services Market. This expansion is primarily driven by the widespread transition toward 5G infrastructure and cloud computing which necessitates fundamental architectural restructuring. Enterprises are prioritizing the creation of precise blueprints to ensure system compatibility and scalability prior to physical deployment. Furthermore, the proliferation of Internet of Things devices requires rigorous connectivity planning to manage data traffic effectively. Consequently, organizations are investing heavily in this initial phase to minimize operational risks, establishing network design as a critical requirement for modern telecommunications strategies.

Regional Insights

North America maintains a dominant position in the global network engineering services market due to extensive investments in telecommunications infrastructure and the rapid integration of advanced connectivity solutions. The region benefits from a high concentration of technology enterprises that prioritize network modernization to support 5G deployment and cloud migration. Additionally, strategic initiatives by the Federal Communications Commission to enhance broadband accessibility and spectrum allocation further stimulate market expansion. This favorable regulatory environment, coupled with consistent demand for robust enterprise networks, ensures the region remains a central hub for engineering service activities.

Recent Developments

• In December 2025, a global intelligent engineering solutions company inaugurated a new Customer Experience Center in Lisbon, Portugal, focused on network modernization. This facility was established to serve as an innovation hub where clients could explore advanced technologies related to 5G deployment, AI-powered network operations, and fiber evolution. The launch of this center highlighted the organization's commitment to co-creating solutions that simplify and automate complex network infrastructures for operators. By providing a dedicated space for prototyping and collaboration, the company aimed to support the accelerating demand for robust digital infrastructure and seamless connectivity across European and global markets.
• In December 2025, a major global technology firm signed a definitive agreement to acquire the Telco Solutions business of Hewlett Packard Enterprise for $160 million. This acquisition was designed to significantly strengthen the company's portfolio in engineering services, specifically targeting the telecommunications sector with AI-led network propositions. By absorbing these assets, the firm intended to enhance its offerings in Operations Support Systems and 5G subscriber data management. The transaction reflected a strategic effort to accelerate network transformation for communication service providers worldwide, leveraging acquired intellectual property and a specialized workforce to drive growth in autonomous networking and digital modernization.
• In August 2024, a leading provider of digital transformation and consulting services entered into a strategic collaboration with Northeastern University to drive advancements in telecommunications technology. This partnership was established to accelerate research and innovation specifically within the domains of Open Radio Access Networks (O-RAN) and future 6G connectivity. Through this joint initiative, the organizations agreed to focus on the development and large-scale testing of next-generation wireless network solutions. The alliance aimed to leverage combined expertise in telecom engineering to create industry-leading standards and certified frameworks, thereby facilitating the global adoption of open and programmable network architectures.
• In July 2024, a prominent global professional services company completed the acquisition of Fibermind, a network services entity based in Italy. This strategic transaction was executed to enhance the acquirer's capabilities in telecommunications network engineering, specifically focusing on the deployment of fiber and mobile 5G infrastructure. By integrating the acquired firm's expertise, the company aimed to deliver higher quality and greater innovation in infrastructure engineering to clients across Europe. The consolidation of these resources underscored a commitment to expanding scale and deepening technical proficiency in the rapidly evolving sector of next-generation network connectivity and management services.

Key Market Players

• Cisco Systems, Inc.
• IBM Corporation
• NVIDIA Corporation
• HCLTech Ltd
• Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
• Infosys Limited
• Fujitsu Limited
• Wipro Limited
• Juniper Networks, Inc.
• AT&T Inc.

By Type	By Vertical	By Region
Network Assessment Network Design Network Deployment	Telecom Banking & Financial Services Education Energy & Utilities Healthcare	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Network Engineering Services Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Network Engineering Services Market, By Type:

• Network Assessment
• Network Design
• Network Deployment

• Network Engineering Services Market, By Vertical:

• Telecom
• Banking & Financial Services
• Education
• Energy & Utilities
• Healthcare

• Network Engineering Services Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE