Published On : August 2026
A buyer assuming a vendor's 5G capability alone qualifies it for a Tier-1 operator engagement is overlooking the constraint that actually determines viability at that scale.
Within the steering of roaming solutions market, multi-generation network support determines vendor viability, since operators must support legacy SS7 through 5G Standalone roaming simultaneously, and a vendor unable to span that full range is simply not a viable candidate for the largest accounts.
This page describes eight network technology categories and five commercial model categories strictly as market segments.
It provides no network engineering or protocol implementation guidance, and states nothing about what SS7, Diameter, GSMA or any other named standard or protocol actually specifies.
A Tier-1 operator group typically operates infrastructure spanning multiple network generations simultaneously across different markets, meaning a vendor limited to 5G-only support cannot serve the operator's full portfolio.
That multi-generation reality is why the largest operator procurement decisions weigh technology breadth as heavily as any single generation's capability.
For buyers, confirming a vendor's support across the specific network generations an operator group actually runs is the starting point for any vendor shortlist.
For vendors, technology breadth across all eight network generation categories widens the addressable share of any multinational operator group's full network footprint.
That relationship is worth repeating to any colleague new to this market, since it changes the order in which a vendor evaluation should actually proceed.
A vendor limited to newer network generations alone effectively excludes itself from consideration by any operator group still running substantial legacy infrastructure, which remains the majority of global operators today.
This is why vendors with genuine cross-generation expertise are better positioned to serve a diversified multinational operator group than those focused on a single network generation alone.
For buyers, requesting a vendor's specific technology support roadmap, not just its current capability, is a reasonable step given how quickly network technology requirements evolve.
Legacy Signalling System No. 7 and Long-Term Evolution roaming form two of the eight network technology categories tracked in this report.
Both are named here as market categories, and this page states nothing about how either technology operates or what SS7 or LTE standards specify.
Legacy SS7 and LTE together account for the largest network technology category in this report by installed base, reflecting the scale of existing multi-generation networks still in operation worldwide.
Many operators continue running SS7-based roaming alongside newer generations, given the scale of legacy infrastructure investment and the gradual pace of full network retirement.
Commercially, this grouping remains the broadest and most established category of the eight network technologies tracked in this report.
For vendors, continued SS7 and LTE support capability remains commercially necessary even as investment shifts toward newer network generations.
Buyers should also confirm continued support and update commitments separately from listed availability, since legacy technology support is not always maintained indefinitely by every vendor.
This grouping remains the primary requirement for the broadest base of operators globally, given the scale of installed multi-generation network infrastructure still in active service.
Buyers in this grouping generally have the widest choice of qualified vendors of any network technology category tracked in this report.
For vendors, continued investment in legacy technology support remains commercially necessary even as newer generations attract a growing share of new product development budget.
Voice over LTE, Diameter and IP Exchange-based roaming form a further network technology grouping tracked in this report.
These technologies connect to the solution categories each network technology supports, detailed on the sibling page.
All three are named here as market categories, and this page states nothing about how any technology operates or what any protocol specifies.
VoLTE roaming addresses voice service continuity specifically, distinct from the data-roaming focus of other network technology categories.
Diameter is generally associated with signalling functions across LTE and subsequent network generations, distinct from the legacy SS7 signalling framework.
IP Exchange-based roaming describes roaming traffic carried over the GSMA-defined interconnection framework connecting operators globally, a widely used interconnection model in this market.
Commercially, this grouping requires deeper technical specialisation than legacy SS7 support alone, narrowing the field of vendors with established depth across all three.
For operators, this grouping is typically specified alongside legacy and 5G support rather than in isolation, given the multi-generation reality of most operator networks.
Operators running mixed network technology estates frequently specify vendors across more than one of these categories rather than standardising on one, which shapes their overall procurement strategy.
This grouping is closely associated with operators managing voice service continuity and signalling interoperability across their roaming partner network.
Buyers in this grouping frequently require vendors with established relationships across the broader IP Exchange ecosystem, given the interconnected nature of this network technology category.
For buyers, confirming a vendor's specific experience across all three of these categories is a faster qualification step than reviewing separate point solutions for each.
5G Non-Standalone and 5G Standalone roaming complete the network technology dimension tracked in this report.
Both are named here as market categories, and this page states nothing about how either generation operates or what any 5G standard specifies.
5G Standalone roaming forms the fastest-growing network technology category in this report, reflecting the pace of global 5G Standalone rollout tracked among this report's market drivers.
5G Non-Standalone roaming describes an interim architecture that continues to rely on existing 4G core network infrastructure, distinct from the fully independent 5G Standalone architecture.
Commercially, this grouping rewards vendors with established 5G product roadmaps over those still concentrated primarily on legacy generation support.
For vendors, 5G Standalone capability is an increasingly important differentiator given its position as this report's fastest-growing network technology category.
Buyers new to 5G Standalone specifically should expect a more involved vendor evaluation process than for established legacy technology categories, reflecting the more limited implementation track record involved.
5G Non-Standalone deployment is generally adopted as an interim step by operators transitioning gradually from 4G core infrastructure toward a fully independent 5G Standalone architecture.
Vendors entering the 5G Standalone category from an established legacy technology base generally need to make substantial new product investment given the architectural differences involved.
Operators pursuing an aggressive 5G Standalone timeline generally prioritise vendors with proven implementation references over those still developing their 5G product roadmap.
Software licence and Software as a Service form two of the five commercial model categories tracked in this report.
Both are named here as market categories, and this page describes no specific commercial terms and states nothing about any vendor's pricing.
Software licence remains a substantial commercial model category among the largest global operator groups with established on-premise infrastructure investment.
Software as a Service is generally associated with public cloud and hybrid deployment, together forming the fastest-growing commercial model category in this report.
Commercially, the choice between software licence and SaaS generally tracks an operator's broader infrastructure and deployment model preference.
For buyers, commercial model is typically confirmed alongside deployment model rather than as an entirely separate specification decision.
Buyers should confirm current pricing structure directly with a vendor rather than assuming universal terms from a general commercial model description.
Software licence arrangements generally involve a larger upfront capital commitment than SaaS, distinct in cost profile even where functional capability is comparable.
This grouping is closely tied to the deployment model dimension, since on-premise deployment more frequently pairs with software licence commercial terms than with SaaS.
Buyers comparing these two models should weigh total multi-year cost rather than headline pricing alone, since the two structures allocate cost differently over time.
Managed services, professional services and subscription-based platforms complete the commercial model dimension tracked in this report.
These commercial models favour the applications each commercial model favours, detailed on the sibling page.
All three are named here as market categories, and this page describes no specific commercial terms and states nothing about any vendor's pricing.
Managed services together with Software as a Service form the fastest-growing commercial model category in this report, reflecting operator preference for reduced internal operational responsibility.
Professional services are generally specified alongside a core software or managed service engagement, covering implementation, integration and ongoing technical support work.
Subscription-based platforms describe a recurring commercial structure distinct from a traditional perpetual software licence, generally favoured by operators seeking predictable operating expense over capital expenditure.
For vendors, offering the full commercial model range from software licence through managed services and subscription platforms captures operators across varying commercial preferences.
Buyers should confirm current service delivery capacity directly with a vendor rather than assuming universal availability from a general managed services claim.
This grouping is expected to draw an increasing share of new operator demand as more operators seek to reduce internal roaming operations headcount.
Buyers considering subscription-based platforms should confirm contract flexibility explicitly, since terms vary considerably across vendors offering this commercial model.
For vendors, professional services revenue often provides useful visibility into a customer's evolving technical requirements ahead of any future product expansion conversation.
Signalling System No. 7, a legacy network technology category tracked in this report. Together with LTE, it accounts for the largest network technology category by installed base, reflecting the scale of existing multi-generation networks. This report states nothing about what the SS7 standard itself specifies.
The fastest-growing of eight network technology categories tracked in this report, describing a fully independent 5G architecture distinct from the interim 5G Non-Standalone architecture that relies on existing 4G core infrastructure.
Software licence remains substantial among operators with established on-premise infrastructure, while SaaS is generally associated with public cloud and hybrid deployment and forms the fastest-growing commercial model category in this report.
Because a Tier-1 operator group typically operates infrastructure spanning multiple network generations simultaneously, meaning a vendor limited to a single generation cannot serve the operator's full network footprint.