Asia-Pacific Network Slicing Market Outlook (2025-2035)
Network slicing enables telecom operators in the Asia-Pacific region to create multiple virtual networks on a shared physical infrastructure. This technology supports a diverse set of applications, from enhanced mobile broadband to ultra-reliable, low-latency communications, and massive machine-type communications. The rapid proliferation of 5G, expansion of IoT, and increasing demand for customized network services are propelling the market. Operators leverage network slicing to generate new revenue streams, support digital transformation across industries, and offer differentiated services for specific verticals such as manufacturing, healthcare, and smart cities. The Asia-Pacific region, led by nations like China, Japan, South Korea, and India, is witnessing strong collaboration between telecom operators, vendors, and enterprises, driving market growth and innovation.
Latest Market Dynamics
Key Drivers
Surge in 5G deployments: 5G network rollouts across Asia-Pacific, such as China Mobile’s continued 5G expansion in Q2 2025, are driving demand for network slicing solutions to diversify services for enterprise and consumer segments.
Industrial digitalization: Strong adoption of Industry 4.0, with companies like SK Telecom launching tailored network slices for smart factories in South Korea in June 2025, is catalyzing the use of advanced network slicing.
Key Trends
Private 5G networks: Increased adoption of private 5G networks by large enterprises, highlighted by Rakuten Mobile’s collaboration with manufacturing partners in Japan in July 2025, is shaping customized network slices.
Edge computing integration: Integration of edge computing to optimize low-latency applications, with Huawei announcing its edge-native network slicing platform for smart cities in June 2025, stands as a prominent trend.
Key Opportunities
Expansion into IoT ecosystems: The growing need for IoT connectivity, shown by NTT Docomo’s IoT network slice offerings in June 2025, opens up substantial opportunities for telcos.
Smart city initiatives: Major city governments in India and Southeast Asia are partnering with Ericsson (June 2025) to co-develop tailored network slices supporting public safety and transportation.
Key Challenges
Complexity in orchestration: Managing seamless orchestration of network slices remains a technical challenge. NEC Corporation emphasized this bottleneck in its Q2 2025 updates.
Regulatory harmonization: Varying local telecom regulations, as experienced by Singtel (July 2025) in cross-border slicing services, challenge the scalability across the region.
Key Restraints
High CAPEX for infrastructure: Substantial upfront investments required for upgrading legacy infrastructure, noted by Bharti Airtel’s financial report in June 2025, curb rapid market adoption.
Security concerns: Persistent cybersecurity threats, highlighted in Juniper Networks’ June 2025 analysis, limit enterprise willingness to adopt multi-tenant network slices.
In 2025, the network slicing market in Asia-Pacific shows a clear inclination towards enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB) solutions, occupying the prime segment. eMBB is followed by ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC) and massive machine-type communications (mMTC). The dominance of eMBB reflects the rapid adoption of high-bandwidth consumer applications, streaming, and AR/VR experiences. URLLC, tailored for mission-critical applications, is gaining traction, particularly in industries requiring stringent reliability and latency parameters, such as healthcare and automotive. mMTC, while vital for IoT-driven initiatives, constitutes a smaller share but its importance will grow as connected device volumes surge. These segments present unique opportunities for custom network slices catering to diverse vertical needs.
The Asia-Pacific network slicing market is led by applications in smart manufacturing, which comprise the largest portion of market share in 2025. Smart manufacturing is closely followed by Smart Cities & Public Safety and Connected Healthcare. The manufacturing sector's adoption of network slicing enables real-time machine monitoring, predictive maintenance, and autonomous process control. Smart Cities & Public Safety applications benefit from low-latency, high-reliability slices for surveillance, traffic, and emergency services. Connected Healthcare, leveraging slices for telemedicine and remote monitoring, is also a prominent area. This distribution reflects the region's prioritization of industrial modernization and urban digital transformation, with collaboration between telecom and vertical industry players accelerating market penetration.
The Asia-Pacific network slicing market is projected to grow steadily from 2020 to 2035. Starting at USD 895 Million in 2020, the market is estimated to reach approximately USD 3,420 Million in 2025, followed by a CAGR of around 14.2% to hit USD 12,900 Million in 2035. The acceleration in revenue is driven by 5G infrastructure upgrades, increasing demand for custom-tailored industry solutions, and government-led digitalization efforts. Growth is especially pronounced post-2025 as enterprises and governments intensify collaborations for advanced IoT, manufacturing automation, and smart city initiatives – all leveraging the unique capabilities of network slicing.
Annual year-over-year (YOY) growth in the Asia-Pacific network slicing market was robust at 34.7% in 2021 and maintained double-digit expansion through 2025, peaking around 23.5%. YOY growth rates gradually moderate over the next decade as the market enters a maturity phase, stabilizing at approximately 7.2% by 2035. This trend reflects the initial surge of adoption driven by 5G rollouts and pilot projects, eventually tapering as widespread integration is achieved, and market saturation begins in mature segments such as eMBB and smart manufacturing.
China dominates the Asia-Pacific network slicing market with a 54% share in 2025, bolstered by its large-scale 5G rollouts, early adoption across industries, and government-backed smart city programs. Japan follows with 19%, leveraging its advanced enterprise use cases and public sector collaborations. South Korea, a recognized leader in technology and early deployments, secures a 12% market share. The rest of Asia-Pacific, including India, Australia, and Southeast Asia, makes up the remaining 15%, with growth fueled by digital transformation efforts but limited by varied regulatory environments and infrastructure readiness.
Huawei leads the Asia-Pacific network slicing market with a commanding 31% share due to its comprehensive technology stack and partnerships with major telecom providers. Ericsson holds a significant 21%, favored for its strong collaborations in Japan and Southeast Asia. Nokia follows with 17%, while Samsung captures a 12% share, largely centered in the Korean market. Other players, including NEC, ZTE, and local ISPs, collectively account for 19% as the market remains competitive among diverse regional and international technology vendors.
In 2025, large enterprises represent the bulk of buyers for network slicing solutions in the Asia-Pacific region, comprising 46% of the market. The enterprise segment is predominantly driven by industrial manufacturing, logistics, and large-scale public sector organizations. Telecom operators make up 33%, utilizing network slicing to differentiate offerings and support industry-customized services. SMEs and others, including universities and research organizations, constitute 21%, reflecting the gradually increasing accessibility of advanced network capabilities beyond only large corporations.
Study Coverage
Metrics
Details
Years
2020-2035
Base Year
2025
Market Size
USD Million
Regions
Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, South Korea, Rest of APAC)
Segments
By Type (eMBB, URLLC, mMTC), By Application (Smart Manufacturing, Smart Cities & Public Safety, Connected Healthcare)
June 11, 2025 – SK Telecom launches network slicing service for smart factories in South Korea.
June 19, 2025 – Huawei reveals edge-native network slicing platform tailored for smart city deployments.
July 4, 2025 – Rakuten Mobile partners with Japanese manufacturers for private 5G and network slicing pilots.
June 26, 2025 – Ericsson collaborates with Mumbai city authorities in India to deploy public safety network slices.
July 2, 2025 – NTT Docomo rolls out new IoT-focused network slice solutions for logistics and healthcare sectors.
Frequently Asked Questions
About the Author
Raj K
Senior Market Research Analyst
Raj K is a Senior Market Research Analyst specializing in market research, industry analysis, and business consulting across Information & Technology. Raj K brings a commercially grounded perspective to sectors shaped by changing demand, innovation, and competitive dynamics, helping turn complex market trends into clear strategic insights for business decision-makers. With 10+ years of experience across research, analytics, and strategic advisory roles, Raj K has helped organizations translate data into actionable growth strategies.
Information & TechnologyMarket ResearchIndustry AnalysisStrategic Consulting
Key Questions Answered
»What is the market size and growth rate of the global and regional market by various segments?
»What is the market size and growth rate of the market for selective countries?
»Which region or sub-segment is expected to drive the market in the forecast period?
»What factors are estimated to drive and restrain the market growth?
»What are the key technological and market trends shaping the market?
»What are the key opportunities in the market?
»What are the key companies operating in the market?
»Which company accounted for the highest market share?
