The Broadband Access Equipment market is forecasted to grow at an average annual rate of 1.6 percent from 2024 to 2029, with total revenue peaking in 2028, driven by ongoing DOCSIS 4.0 and fiber expansion by cable and fiber ISPs, according to a new report from Dell’Oro Group. The forecast has increased from January due to an expected rise in fiber homes passed.
“We continue to see broadband providers balance ongoing expansion of their networks while also deploying platforms that will allow them to deliver service convergence and customized broadband applications, while also incorporating AI and automation tools,” said Jeff Heynen, Vice President at Dell’Oro Group. “Though market presence in the form of homes passed remains today’s priority, future success will be all about delivering customized service tiers based on attributes beyond speed,” added Heynen.
Additional highlights from the Broadband Access & Home Networking 5-Year July 2025 Forecast Report:
- PON equipment revenue is expected to grow from $10.7 B in 2024 to $12.6 B in 2029, driven largely by XGS-PON deployments in North America, EMEA, and CALA, as well as FTTR (Fiber to the Room) and 50 Gbps deployments in China.
- Revenue for Cable Distributed Access Equipment (Virtual CCAP, Remote PHY Devices, Remote MACPHY Devices, and Remote OLTs) is expected to peak at $1.2 B in 2028, as operators continue their DOCSIS 4.0 and early fiber deployments.
- Revenue for Fixed Wireless CPE is expected to peak in 2025 and 2026, dominated by shipments of 5G sub-6 GHz and a growing number of 5G millimeter wave units.
- Revenue for Wi-Fi 7 residential routers and broadband CPE with WLAN will reach $8.6 B by 2029, as the technology is rapidly adopted by consumers and service providers alike.
🌐 Why it Matters: The revised upward forecast underscores stronger-than-expected global momentum behind fiber and DOCSIS 4.0 deployments. As broadband providers look beyond speed to differentiate service offerings, the integration of AI, automation, and next-gen CPE like Wi-Fi 7 will shape user experience and competitive dynamics
