Industry Statistics and Trends
Market size and recent performance (2016-2031)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 2.1 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $34.5bn in 2026.
Trends and Insights
Reallocations in rural broadband access and FWA plan upgrades drive industry changes
- The Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) was enacted in 2020 to enhance broadband access in rural US, funding service providers for new deployment efforts, including fixed wireless access equipment like antennas and modems. Yet, execution hurdles surfaced: by 2025, the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society reported that out of $9.2 billion allocated, nearly $3.3 billion had defaulted because of provider disqualifications or implementation challenges, curbing intended service rollouts to remote areas.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2026-2031)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Shifting demographics will change 5G deployment strategies
- Deploying 5G and future 6G networks presents significant challenges because of high costs. Although carriers expect growth, a 2024 Steel in the Air survey indicates that nearly 50.0% of respondents foresee only moderate capital expenditure growth from 2026 to 2030 because of rising expenses. This cautious outlook will require the industry to carefully balance costs with market demands to stabilize future profitability.
Biggest companies in the Communications Equipment Manufacturing in the US
| Company | Market Share (%)
2026 | Revenue ($m)
2026 | Profit ($m)
2026 | Profit Margin (%)
2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
L3harris Technologies, Inc. | 4,137.2 | 479.7 | 11.6 | |
Garmin Ltd. | 3,636.4 | 40.0 | 1.1 | |
Amphenol Corporation | 3,249.7 | 837.4 | 25.8 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 3 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Broadcast, studio and related electronic equipment, Wireless networking equipment and Radio station equipment. Broadcast, studio and related electronic equipment is the largest segment of the Communications Equipment Manufacturing in the US.
Trends and Insights
Transmitter systems are facing challenges as government contracts come to a close
- Other systems include microwave communications equipment and automobile antennas. Automobile antennas allow the transmission of wireless signals and radio waves to a vehicle. Microwave transmissions are used for point-to-point communication systems, satellite communications and deep space radio communications. They are also sometimes used for radars, navigation systems and sensors. This product category also includes producing individual components that will later be used in smartphones, such as individual antennas for cellular service.
- More insights available in the full report
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
Operators in this industry primarily manufacture broadcasting and other wireless communication equipment. Examples of such equipment include antennas, set-top boxes, GPS systems, cell phones, satellite uplink technologies and radio and TV broadcasting equipment. Operators in this industry do not manufacture radio or TV sets, intercoms or equipment to test communication signals.
What's included in this industry?
Products and services covered in the Communications Equipment Manufacturing industry in the United States include Manufacturing transmitting-and-receiving antennas, Manufacturing cable TV equipment, Manufacturing GPS equipment, Manufacturing mobile communication equipment and Manufacturing radio and TV broadcast equipment.Companies
Companies covered in the Communications Equipment Manufacturing industry in the United States include L3harris Technologies, Inc., Garmin Ltd. and Amphenol Corporation.Purchase this report to view all 3 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
Related terms covered in the Communications Equipment Manufacturing industry in the United States include 3g network, code division multiple access (cdma), wideband code division multiple access (w-cdma), smartphone, outsource and offshore.Industry Code
NAICS 33422 - Communications Equipment Manufacturing in the US
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
The market for faster communication equipment is surging. With significant growth in speed-based fixed wireless access, telecom manufacturers are innovating to provide antenn...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2016-2025) and forecast (2026-2031)
- Employees, including historical (2016-2025) and forecast (2026-2031)
- Businesses, including historical (2016-2025) and forecast (2026-2031)
- Profit, including historical (2016-2026)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
The US tariffs on Chinese goods may complicate production markets by increasing costs. Since the US heavily imports materials like metals and plastics from China, these tarif...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
- International Trade
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2026
- Product innovation level
- Total imports, level and trend
- Total exports, level and trend
- Trade Balance
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2026
- Major market segmentation in 2026
- International trade, including imports by country and exports by country
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
- Recent trends in import and export volumes, country of origin or destination, and expected future trends
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
Mid-Atlantic thrives on strategic contracts. Proximity to government hubs like Maryland and Virginia boosts manufacturers by aligning them with defense contracts, significant...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each state
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2026
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each state in 2026
- Number and share of revenue each state accounts for in 2026
- Number and share of wages each state accounts for in 2026
- Number and share of employees in each state in 2026
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
Imports dominate US communication equipment, accounting for the majority of domestic demand. Vietnam and China's lower labor costs make overseas options appealing, sidelining...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2021-2026
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
5G and high-density connectivity are shaping the next growth leg for equipment makers. Amphenol’s $2.1 billion CommScope deal and its stadium-focused antennas both bet on sur...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2022 through 2026
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2026
- Overview of L3harris Technologies, Inc.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2020 through 2026
- Overview of Garmin Ltd.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2020 through 2026
- Overview of Amphenol Corporation's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2020 through 2026
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for L3harris Technologies, Inc., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Garmin Ltd., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Amphenol Corporation, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
The FCC's new ruling demands telecom carriers enhance their infrastructures by 2025, thanks to the surge in cyber threats. This initiative will require manufacturers to prior...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2016-2031)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2016-2031)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
5G demand is giving communications equipment makers more pricing power and growing margins. Even as advanced components raise build costs, firms like L3Harris are offsetting ...
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2026
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2026
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Industry Multiples (2019-2024)
- Industry Tax Structure (2019-2024)
- Income Statement (2019-2024)
- Balance Sheet (2019-2024)
- Liquidity Ratios (2019-2024)
- Coverage Ratios (2019-2024)
- Leverage Ratios (2019-2024)
- Operating Ratios (2019-2024)
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2016-2031)
- Revenue per Employee (2016-2031)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2016-2031)
- Employees per Establishment (2016-2031)
- Employees per Enterprise (2016-2031)
- Average Wage (2016-2031)
- Wages/Revenue (2016-2031)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2016-2031)
- IVA/Revenue (2016-2031)
- Imports/Demand (2016-2031)
- Exports/Revenue (2016-2031)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2016-2031)
- IVA (2016-2031)
- Establishments (2016-2031)
- Enterprises (2016-2031)
- Employment (2016-2031)
- Exports (2016-2031)
- Imports (2016-2031)
- Wages (2016-2031)
Top Questions Answered
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Communications Equipment Manufacturing industry in the United States in 2026?
The market size of the Communications Equipment Manufacturing industry in the United States is $34.5bn in 2026.
How many businesses are there in the Communications Equipment Manufacturing industry in the United States in 2026?
There are 551 businesses in the Communications Equipment Manufacturing industry in the United States, which has declined at a CAGR of 1.1 % between 2021 and 2026.
How may import tariffs affect the Communications Equipment Manufacturing industry in the United States?
The Communications Equipment Manufacturing industry in the United States is likely to be significantly impacted by import tariffs with imports accounting for a high share of industry revenue.
How may export tariffs affect the Communications Equipment Manufacturing industry in the United States?
The Communications Equipment Manufacturing industry in the United States is likely to be significantly impacted by export tariffs with exports accounting for a high share of industry revenue.
Has the Communications Equipment Manufacturing industry in the United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Communications Equipment Manufacturing industry in the United States has been growing at a CAGR of 2.1 % between 2021 and 2026.
What is the forecast growth of the Communications Equipment Manufacturing industry in the United States over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Communications Equipment Manufacturing industry in the United States is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Communications Equipment Manufacturing industry in the United States?
The biggest companies operating in the Communications Equipment Manufacturing industry in the United States are L3harris Technologies, Inc., Garmin Ltd. and Amphenol Corporation
What does the Communications Equipment Manufacturing industry in the United States include?
Manufacturing transmitting-and-receiving antennas and Manufacturing cable TV equipment are part of the Communications Equipment Manufacturing industry in the United States.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Communications Equipment Manufacturing industry in the United States?
The company holding the most market share in the Communications Equipment Manufacturing industry in the United States is L3harris Technologies, Inc..
How competitive is the Communications Equipment Manufacturing industry in the United States?
The level of competition is high and increasing in the Communications Equipment Manufacturing industry in the United States.
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in the US include:
- US Census Bureau
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics
- US International Trade Commission
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
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