Software defined radio market seen topping $40 billion by 2030

The Business Research Company says the software defined radio market is on track to pass $40 billion by 2030, driven by defense modernization, public safety needs and wireless infrastructure upgrades. North America and the U.S. are expected to lead growth, while joint tactical radio systems remain the largest segment.

Why it matters: - The software defined radio market is moving from a niche communications tool into a larger strategic category for defense, public safety and commercial networks. - The market’s growth reflects demand for secure, interoperable and software-upgradable communications across land, air, sea and space. - The report suggests SDR will take a bigger share of communications hardware spending as governments and companies invest in flexible wireless systems.

What happened: - The Business Research Company published its Software Defined Radio Global Market Report 2026, covering market size, trends and forecasts through 2035. - The report says the SDR market is expected to exceed $40 billion by 2030. - The report places the market at about 4% of the projected $1,026 billion communications hardware market in 2030. - The report estimates SDR will represent about 0.3% of the projected $13,788 billion information technology market in 2030. - North America is projected to lead the global SDR market in 2030 with a value of $14 billion. - The U.S. is expected to be the largest single-country market in 2030 at $12 billion.

The details: - North America’s SDR market is forecast to rise from $10 billion in 2025 to $14 billion in 2030, a 7% compound annual growth rate. - The U.S. market is projected to grow from $9 billion in 2025 to $12 billion in 2030, a 8% compound annual growth rate. - Defense modernization, military communications upgrades and public safety network needs are key drivers in North America. - Investments in 5G, 6G and advanced wireless infrastructure are also supporting regional demand. - SDR use is expanding in aerospace, satellite communications, electronic warfare and intelligence. - The joint tactical radio system segment is expected to be the largest SDR type, with 33% of the market and $13 billion in value by 2030. - Other major SDR types include cognitive radios, general purpose radios and terrestrial trunked radio, or TETRA. - The SDR market is segmented into hardware, software and services. - The market also spans airborne, naval, land and space platforms. - Frequency-band segments include high frequency, very high frequency, ultra-high frequency and others. - End users include aerospace and defense, telecommunications, public safety, commercial sectors and others.

Between the lines: - The report points to multi-standard wireless communication as a key growth engine because SDR can support multiple protocols in one device. - Defense and public safety agencies are adopting SDR because the technology supports secure, adaptable and frequency-agile communications during critical missions. - Wireless infrastructure expansion is another catalyst because SDR can adapt to changing spectrum conditions and network architectures. - The report estimates annual growth contributions of 2.7% from multi-standard wireless demand, 2.5% from defense and public safety communications needs, and 2.2% from infrastructure expansion. - The market remains moderately fragmented, with the top 10 companies holding about 22% of revenue in 2025. - High regulatory hurdles, advanced technology requirements and security demands are limiting concentration. - Elbit Systems Ltd. led global sales in 2025 with a 2% market share.

What's next: - The report expects $13 billion or more in combined growth opportunities across JTRS, cognitive radios, general purpose radios and TETRA by 2030. - JTRS is projected to grow by $4 billion from 2025 to 2030. - Cognitive radios are projected to grow by $4 billion over the same period. - General purpose radios are projected to add $3 billion, while TETRA systems are projected to add $2 billion. - The report says companies are focusing on interoperability, cybersecurity, spectrum efficiency and AI-enabled signal processing to stay competitive. - In June 2026, Anritsu Corporation introduced an SDR solution combining the Universal RF Unit MD8190A with IQ Control Hub Software MX819040PC for advanced wireless research. - The platform includes MATLAB-based workflows, wideband IQ data capture and unified design-to-measurement capabilities.

The bottom line: - SDR is becoming a core enabling technology for next-generation defense and wireless communications, with the strongest demand centered in North America and the U.S.