GINC Technology
Connectivity, Cyber & Trust Technologies

Advanced Wireless Communication

The capacity to lead in advanced wireless, current and next-generation mobile systems, non-terrestrial networks and the radio technologies and standards positions that shape them.

Capability group
Connectivity, Cyber & Trust Technologies
Domain
Critical Technology · Hard Power
Identifier
factbase.org/cap/QRYJVA801Z
Reference
Wireless Wikipedia

Papers

3.2k

2020–2024

Paper growth

−13%

2020–24 on 2015–19

Patent families

312.2k

2020–2024

Filed abroad

46%

families in more than one office

Framework

What it covers

What the capability covers and what it leaves to others, and the indicators it will be measured by.

Bounds

Covers wireless technology and standards position; deployed mobile networks belong to Strategic Infrastructure, spectrum allocation to governance, and vendor position in network equipment reads at the make and control layers.

Lineage

Carried from v0.0 (formerly Advanced radiofrequency communication) with the same identifier; recast from a definition of wireless transfer to the capacity to lead the generational transitions where national position is actually contested.

Indicators

  • standard-essential patent share in mobile standardsPatents
  • network equipment vendor market sharePending
  • next-generation trial deploymentsPending
Research

Who publishes it

Papers classified to the capability, by year and by the nation of their authors' institutions, 2020–2024. Read from the v0.0 research topic Advanced radiofrequency communication.

Papers by year

The five leading nations, papers by year

Share of papers, 2020–2024

Of papers with a known author nation; 32% have none and are left out.

  1. 1China24.1%662 papers
  2. 2India13.2%361 papers
  3. 3United States9.6%262 papers
  4. 4United Kingdom3.9%106 papers
  5. 5South Korea3.2%89 papers
  6. 6Japan3.1%84 papers
  7. 7Canada3.0%82 papers
  8. 8Germany2.3%63 papers
  9. 9Saudi Arabia2.1%57 papers
  10. 10France1.7%47 papers

Leading institutions, 2020–2024

By fractional count: each paper divided among its authors' institutions.

  1. 1Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications27fractional papers
  2. 2Xidian University25fractional papers
  3. 3University of Electronic Science and Technology of China22fractional papers
  4. 4Tsinghua University22fractional papers
  5. 5Southeast University18fractional papers
  6. 6Beijing Jiaotong University17fractional papers
  7. 7Zhejiang University14fractional papers
  8. 8Beijing Institute of Technology14fractional papers
  9. 9Northwestern Polytechnical University11fractional papers
  10. 10Shanghai Jiao Tong University10fractional papers
Patents

Who patents it

Patent families by the nation of origin of their applicants and their earliest priority year, from the CPC and IPC classes the capability is read from. 2025 onwards is incomplete: families are published 18 months after priority.

Families by priority year

The five leading origins, families by year

36,566 applicants filed here in 2015–2024; the five largest held 22% of families (HHI 151 of 10,000: unconcentrated).

Share of families by origin, 2020–2024

  1. 1China55.6%173,626 families
  2. 2United States16.5%51,644 families
  3. 3South Korea10.2%31,974 families
  4. 4Japan6.8%21,152 families
  5. 5Finland2.4%7,478 families
  6. 6Sweden2.2%6,797 families
  7. 7Germany1.3%4,083 families
  8. 8Taiwan0.9%2,943 families
  9. 9Singapore0.7%2,213 families
  10. 10France0.6%1,871 families

Applicants filing most internationally, 2015–2024

Families filed in more than one office, by applicant as the offices name them.

  1. 1HUAWEI TECH CO LTD28,187international families
  2. 2QUALCOMM INC21,558international families
  3. 3SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD13,270international families
  4. 4ERICSSON TELEFON AB L M12,761international families
  5. 5LG ELECTRONICS INC10,186international families
  6. 6ZTE CORP9,293international families
  7. 7NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY8,260international families
  8. 8BEIJING XIAOMI MOBILE SOFTWARE CO LTD8,011international families
  9. 9GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP LTD7,618international families
  10. 10NTT DOCOMO INC7,182international families

Classification read

  • H04W Wireless communication networks, including mobile standards · 11.1m documents
  • H04B7/00 Radio transmission: multi-antenna, relay and satellite links · 1.4m documents
  • H04L5/00 Multi-carrier resource allocation and pilot signalling · 1.9m documents
  • H04L27/26 Multi-carrier modulation such as OFDM · 491.4k documents
  • H04L1/18 Automatic retransmission protocols · 516k documents

Shares inventions with

Capabilities whose classes the same families also fall in, by overlap (Jaccard).

Companies

Who makes it

The companies that research, design, make, supply and operate the technology, the global leaders and the leading firms of every region.

50 companies in this capability, from 23 nations across 8 regions. Sorted by how experts see each company's global relevance in the field, from very high to very low.

  1. Very high4 companies
  2. 1

    ChinaHuawei

    World's largest RAN vendor and the top holder of 5G standard-essential patents, leading 3GPP contributions and 5G-Advanced/6G research.

    Very high relevance · Hardware & devices · China, Shenzhen · founded 1987 · 208k staff

  3. 2

    United StatesQualcomm

    Leading designer of 4G/5G modems and RF front-end chips (Snapdragon X series) and one of the largest licensors of cellular standard-essential patents.

    Very high relevance · Design · United States, San Diego · founded 1985 · 49k staff

  4. 3

    SwedenEricsson

    Leading Western 5G RAN and core vendor and major SEP holder, central to 3GPP standardisation and 6G research.

    Very high relevance · Hardware & devices · Sweden, Stockholm · founded 1876 · 94k staff

  5. 4

    FinlandNokia

    Top-three mobile network equipment vendor with Nokia Bell Labs 6G research and a large cellular patent licensing business (Nokia Technologies).

    Very high relevance · Hardware & devices · Finland, Espoo · founded 1865 · 78k staff

  6. High10 companies
  7. 5

    South KoreaSamsung Electronics

    Supplies 5G/vRAN network equipment, Exynos modems and handsets, ranks among top 5G SEP holders and leads Korean 6G research.

    High relevance · Components & subsystems · South Korea, Suwon · founded 1969 · 268k staff

  8. 6

    ChinaZTE

    Fourth-largest global RAN vendor and a top-five 5G SEP declarant, building base stations, cores and 5G chipsets.

    High relevance · Hardware & devices · China, Shenzhen · founded 1985

  9. 7

    TaiwanMediaTek

    Largest smartphone SoC vendor by volume with Dimensity 5G modems and an active role in 5G NTN and 6G standards work.

    High relevance · Design · Taiwan, Hsinchu · founded 1997

  10. 8

    United StatesSpaceX

    Operates the largest LEO broadband constellation and the Starlink direct-to-cell service, defining non-terrestrial network deployment at scale.

    High relevance · Operations & infrastructure · United States, Starbase · founded 2002 · 13k staff

  11. 9

    United StatesBroadcom

    Leading supplier of Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth chips and FBAR RF filters used in flagship 5G smartphones.

    High relevance · Design · United States, Palo Alto · founded 1961 · 37k staff

  12. 10

    ChinaChina Mobile

    World's largest mobile operator by subscribers and 5G base stations, a lead contributor to 3GPP 5G-Advanced and IMT-2030 (6G) work.

    High relevance · Operations & infrastructure · China, Beijing · founded 1997

  13. 11

    United StatesKeysight Technologies

    Leading 5G/6G test and measurement supplier (network emulators, sub-THz testbeds), which acquired Spirent in 2025.

    High relevance · Equipment & machinery · United States, Santa Rosa · founded 2014 · 16k staff

  14. 12

    JapanMurata Manufacturing

    World's leading supplier of RF modules, SAW filters and connectivity modules used in 5G and Wi-Fi devices.

    High relevance · Components & subsystems · Japan, Kyoto · founded 1944

  15. 13

    United StatesSkyworks Solutions

    Leading RF front-end supplier (power amplifiers, filters, switches) for 5G handsets, which agreed to merge with Qorvo in 2025.

    High relevance · Components & subsystems · United States, Irvine · founded 2002 · 10k staff

  16. 14

    United StatesQorvo

    Major RF front-end and GaN infrastructure RF supplier for 5G handsets and base stations (merger with Skyworks pending).

    High relevance · Components & subsystems · United States, Greensboro · founded 2015 · 8,700 staff

  17. Moderate17 companies
  18. 15

    JapanNTT Docomo (NTT Group)

    Japan's largest mobile operator and a top international wireless patent applicant, driving 3GPP work, Open RAN (OREX) and 6G research with NTT's IOWN.

    Moderate relevance · Operations & infrastructure · Japan, Tokyo · founded 1991

  19. 16

    South KoreaLG Electronics

    Major LTE/5G standard-essential patent holder and international patent applicant with ongoing 6G terahertz research despite exiting handsets.

    Moderate relevance · Hardware & devices · South Korea, Seoul · founded 1958

  20. 17

    ChinaXiaomi

    Third-largest smartphone maker and a top international patent applicant in wireless, with a growing cellular SEP portfolio.

    Moderate relevance · Hardware & devices · China, Beijing · founded 2010

  21. 18

    ChinaOPPO

    Major handset maker and top-ten international wireless patent applicant with thousands of declared 5G SEP families and 6G research.

    Moderate relevance · Hardware & devices · China, Dongguan · founded 2004

  22. 19

    Chinavivo

    Large smartphone maker with a fast-growing 5G SEP portfolio and active 6G research in 3GPP and IMT-2030.

    Moderate relevance · Hardware & devices · China, Dongguan · founded 2009

  23. 20

    GermanyRohde & Schwarz

    Major supplier of wireless test and measurement equipment, including 5G NR and 6G sub-THz test systems, plus secure radio communications.

    Moderate relevance · Equipment & machinery · Germany, Munich · founded 1933

  24. 21

    JapanNEC

    Supplies Open RAN radio units and 5G core for operators in Japan and Europe, plus microwave backhaul and 6G research.

    Moderate relevance · Professional & data services · Japan, Tokyo · founded 1899 · 105k staff

  25. 22

    United StatesInterDigital

    Pure-play wireless R&D and licensing firm with a large 4G/5G SEP portfolio, heavily involved in 3GPP and 6G standards.

    Moderate relevance · Research & IP · United States, Wilmington, Delaware · founded 1972

  26. 23

    ChinaUNISOC

    China's main merchant mobile chipset designer (Spreadtrum/RDA heritage), supplying 4G/5G and NTN-capable modem SoCs.

    Moderate relevance · Design · China, Shanghai · founded 2013

  27. 24

    ChinaChina Information and Communication Technologies Group (CICT)

    State group formed from Datang Telecom (originator of TD-SCDMA/TD-LTE) and FiberHome, holding significant mobile SEPs and building 5G equipment.

    Moderate relevance · Hardware & devices · China, Wuhan · founded 2018

  28. 25

    ChinaQuectel Wireless Solutions

    World's largest cellular IoT module maker, shipping 5G, LTE-M/NB-IoT and satellite NTN modules.

    Moderate relevance · Components & subsystems · China, Shanghai · founded 2010

  29. 26

    United StatesAST SpaceMobile

    Building a space-based cellular broadband constellation (BlueBird satellites) that connects directly to unmodified phones with AT&T, Verizon and Vodafone.

    Moderate relevance · Operations & infrastructure · United States, Midland, Texas · founded 2017

  30. 27

    JapanAnritsu

    Leading supplier of mobile protocol conformance and RF test systems used to certify 5G NR devices.

    Moderate relevance · Equipment & machinery · Japan, Atsugi · founded 1895

  31. 28

    IndiaReliance Jio (Reliance Industries)

    India's largest operator, running one of the world's fastest standalone 5G rollouts on an in-house developed 5G core and RAN stack.

    Moderate relevance · Operations & infrastructure · India, Navi Mumbai · founded 2007

  32. 29

    IsraelCeragon Networks

    Leading independent vendor of microwave and millimetre-wave wireless backhaul for 4G/5G networks.

    Moderate relevance · Hardware & devices · Israel, Rosh HaAyin · founded 1996

  33. 30

    IsraelGilat Satellite Networks

    Supplies satellite ground systems and cellular backhaul over satellite for non-terrestrial networks, including multi-orbit 5G NTN integration.

    Moderate relevance · Hardware & devices · Israel, Petah Tikva · founded 1987

  34. 31

    United StatesViasat

    Satellite broadband operator (including Inmarsat since 2023) that is developing 3GPP NTN direct-to-device services.

    Moderate relevance · Operations & infrastructure · United States, Carlsbad · founded 1986 · 7,500 staff

  35. Low15 companies
  36. 32

    VietnamViettel Group

    Vietnam's military-owned telecom group, which designs and builds its own 4G/5G RAN and core equipment and operates networks across Asia, Africa and Latin America.

    Low relevance · Operations & infrastructure · Vietnam, Hanoi · founded 1989

  37. 33

    IndiaTejas Networks

    Tata Group's telecom equipment maker supplying indigenous 4G/5G RAN for BSNL's national rollout.

    Low relevance · Hardware & devices · India, Bengaluru · founded 2000

  38. 34

    IndiaCentre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT)

    Indian government telecom R&D centre that developed the indigenous 4G/5G core used by BSNL and leads India's 6G research.

    Low relevance · Research & IP · India, New Delhi · founded 1984

  39. 35

    FranceSequans Communications

    Fabless designer of LTE-M/NB-IoT and 5G RedCap chips, one of the few independent cellular modem makers outside the US and Asia.

    Low relevance · Design · France, Paris · founded 2003

  40. 36

    TürkiyeAselsan

    Turkish defence electronics maker behind the domestic ULAK 4.5G/5G base station programme and military software-defined radios.

    Low relevance · Systems integration · Türkiye, Ankara · founded 1975 · 11k staff

  41. 37

    TürkiyeTurkcell

    Turkey's leading mobile operator, which runs national 5G trials with domestic equipment and takes part in 6G research projects.

    Low relevance · Operations & infrastructure · Türkiye, Istanbul · founded 1994

  42. 38

    United Arab Emiratese& (Emirates Telecommunications Group)

    Gulf operator group with an early standalone 5G and 5G-Advanced deployment, operating in 16 countries including Maroc Telecom.

    Low relevance · Operations & infrastructure · United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi · founded 1976

  43. 39

    Saudi Arabiastc Group

    Saudi Arabia's state-controlled operator, a regional 5G leader running Open RAN and 5G-Advanced trials across the Gulf.

    Low relevance · Operations & infrastructure · Saudi Arabia, Riyadh · founded 1998

  44. 40

    United Arab EmiratesTechnology Innovation Institute

    Abu Dhabi government research institute whose Secure Systems and Directed Energy centres run 5G/6G and wireless security research.

    Low relevance · Research & IP · United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi · founded 2020

  45. 41

    United Arab EmiratesSpace42

    Formed from the merger of Yahsat and Bayanat; operates Thuraya mobile satellite services and is building direct-to-device NTN capacity.

    Low relevance · Operations & infrastructure · United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi · founded 2024

  46. 42

    South AfricaMTN Group

    Africa's largest mobile operator by subscribers, leading 5G launches in South Africa, Nigeria and other markets.

    Low relevance · Operations & infrastructure · South Africa, Johannesburg · founded 1994

  47. 43

    South AfricaVodacom Group

    Vodafone-controlled operator that launched Africa's first commercial 5G networks (South Africa, Lesotho) and runs Vodacom/Safaricom-linked operations across the continent.

    Low relevance · Operations & infrastructure · South Africa, Midrand · founded 1994

  48. 44

    MexicoAmérica Movil

    Latin America's largest mobile operator (Claro, Telcel), leading 5G deployment across Mexico, Brazil and the region.

    Low relevance · Operations & infrastructure · Mexico, Mexico City · founded 2000

  49. 45

    SingaporeSingtel

    Operates Singapore's first nationwide standalone 5G network and holds stakes in regional operators (Optus, AIS, Telkomsel, Airtel).

    Low relevance · Operations & infrastructure · Singapore, Singapore · founded 1879

  50. 46

    AustraliaTelstra

    Australia's largest operator, with one of the earliest 5G rollouts and direct-to-handset satellite messaging through Starlink.

    Low relevance · Operations & infrastructure · Australia, Melbourne · founded 1975

  51. Very low4 companies
  52. 47

    KenyaSafaricom

    East Africa's leading mobile operator, which launched 5G in Kenya and Ethiopia.

    Very low relevance · Operations & infrastructure · Kenya, Nairobi · founded 1997

  53. 48

    EgyptTelecom Egypt

    Egypt's state-controlled incumbent (WE), which holds a 5G licence and launched commercial 5G in 2025.

    Very low relevance · Operations & infrastructure · Egypt, Cairo · founded 1998

  54. 49

    BrazilCPQD

    Brazil's main telecom R&D institute, which develops Open RAN and 5G/6G technologies and runs national wireless testbeds.

    Very low relevance · Research & IP · Brazil, Campinas · founded 1976

  55. 50

    IndonesiaTelkom Indonesia

    Indonesia's state-controlled telecom group, whose Telkomsel unit leads 5G deployment in Southeast Asia's largest market.

    Very low relevance · Operations & infrastructure · Indonesia, Jakarta · founded 1965

These companies in the Companies table →