Network Interface Card (NIC) Market

Network Interface Card (NIC) Market Outlook (2023 to 2033)

The Global Network Interface Card (NIC) Market was valued at US$ 4.67 billion in 2022 and is predicted to reach US$ 11.3 billion by the end of 2033, expanding at a high-value CAGR of 8.5% from 2023 to 2033.

Network interface cards (NICs) are hardware components that are important for any electronic device to connect to a network or the internet. A network interface card provides a network connection for both wireless and wired connectivity. An NIC converts data generated by a user’s device into data packets. When the data packets generated by a user's device are transmitted, they are received and interpreted by the network interface card of the receiving device. A network interface card functions as an intermediary between the user's computer device and the data network.

Several portable devices such as laptops and smartphones make use of internal wireless network interface cards for connecting to the internet. Technological advancements and the development of smart machines have expanded the utilization of network interface cards.

Printers, smart home assistants, smart meters, security cameras, and UAVs require network interface cards, which is driving the demand for network interface cards. As the UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) and smart home technology markets expand, demand for network interface cards will continue to grow.

Recent market developments include:

• In 2021, Broadcom acquired CA Technologies, a leading provider of network infrastructure solutions, to expand its portfolio of NICs.
• In January 2020, Intel acquired Habana Labs, a leading AI chipmaker, to strengthen its position in the NIC market.

What are the Factors Driving the Demand for Network Interface Cards?

“Rising Need for High-performance and Secure Cloud-based Solutions”

India and other countries face internet penetration challenges in rural and remote regions, and some distant urban areas also experience connectivity issues, despite having a significant population and a considerable number of internet users. Improvements in internet infrastructure and connectivity can address these challenges, and initiatives by internet service providers and governments can help provide internet access to these areas while also enhancing internet speed.

These developments can encourage end users in such areas to purchase more smart devices that have a network interface card embedded within them. A strong internet connection in these areas can also encourage users to purchase fixed broadband devices to get access to internet services.

The most significant supply-side trends are the growing demand for high-performance, cloud-based solutions, increased focus on security, software-defined networking (SDN), high-bandwidth solutions, and demand for low-cost solutions.

Cloud-based solutions are becoming increasingly popular as they offer a more cost-effective and efficient way to manage networks, while security features are becoming increasingly important. The popularity of software-defined networking (SDN) is increasing as it allows for flexible and automated network management.

The need for high-bandwidth solutions is rising as the demand for data continues to grow. Organizations are looking for opportunities to reduce costs without sacrificing performance, which is fueling demand for low-cost solutions.

• In 2021, Aristae Networks announced the launch of its Cloud EOS platform, a cloud-native network operating system designed to provide customers with a unified experience across physical, virtual, and cloud environments.
• In 2020, Cisco acquired Acacia Communications, a leader in high-speed coherent optical interconnect technologies, to expand its networking capabilities.

Country-wise Insights

Why Does the United States Account for High Sales of Network Interface Cards?

“Advanced Technology Infrastructure and Large Customer Base”

The United States has a large and highly advanced technology infrastructure, strong research and development capabilities, and a large customer base. The country also has some of the most advanced and sophisticated networking solutions available, and its market is highly competitive.

The United States has a strong presence in the global network interface card market, with many leading manufacturers based in the country, in addition to a large number of data centers.

Owing to these factors, the United States accounted for 71.2% of the North American network interface card market in 2022.

What Makes India a Lucrative Market for NIC Manufacturers?

“Rapidly Increasing Adoption of Cloud Computing in India”

Demand for advanced network interface cards in India is growing due to the increasing need for faster and more reliable network connections. This is especially true in the enterprise segment, where businesses are looking to upgrade their existing networks to support higher speeds and better performance. An increasing number of companies are adopting cloud computing.

Penetration of smartphones is also increasing because of the need for faster data transfer speeds and better performance in mobile networks. Online gaming is growing, as network interface cards are needed to provide the necessary bandwidth and performance to enable smooth online gaming experiences.

Rising adoption of IoT devices requires network interface cards to deliver the required bandwidth and performance for seamless IoT operations. Due to these reasons, sales of network interface cards in India are projected to increase at a substantial CAGR of 12.6% over the forecast period.

Category-wise Insights

Why are Wireless Network Interface Cards in High Demand?

“Rising Implementation of IoT Boosting Demand for Wireless NICs”

Sales of wireless network interface cards are estimated to advance at a CAGR of 8.3% over the forecast period. This growth is underpinned by a large number of smartphone users and the growing reliance on Wi-Fi network services. The increase in the number of users of smart devices, IoT sensors, and tablets is fueling demand for wireless network interface cards.

Will the World See a Surge in the Use of Wireless Communication Devices?

“Widespread Implementation of 5G Technology Fueling Sales of Wireless Communication Devices”

Wireless communication devices are estimated to grow at a significant rate over the forecast period due to the increasing demand for connectivity, the growing need for mobility, the rise of the Internet of Things (IoT), and the development of 5G technology.

Growing demand for connected devices, such as smartphones, tablets, and wearables, is driving the growth of the wireless communication devices market. High demand for high-speed data services and the rising need for mobility are driving the growth of the market.

Widespread implementation of 5G technology is expected to provide a major boost to the market. 5G technologies will enable faster data transmission, higher bandwidth, and improved connection quality, which will in turn lead to the development of new applications and services. The increasing number of connected systems, such as smart homes and connected cars, will also drive the growth of the market.

The wireless communication devices segment is projected to expand at a CAGR of 9.8% through 2033.

What is the Demand Outlook for Network Interface Cards from Data Centers?

“Increasing Adoption of 10 Gigabit Ethernet for Large-scale Data Processing Pushing Demand for NICs from Data Centers”

Data centers account for a leading share of the market due to the rising need for high-speed and reliable networking solutions. Data centers require high-speed networking solutions to support large-scale data processing and storage operations. The increasing use of cloud computing and virtualization technologies in data centers has further increased the demand for high-speed networking solutions.

Increasing adoption of 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10 GbE) technology in data centers has further boosted the demand for network interface cards in this segment. Demand for network interface cards from data centers is estimated to increase at a substantial CAGR of 9.7% over the forecast period.

Competitive Landscape

The network interface card market is highly competitive, with several major players vying for market share. These companies offer a range of NICs, from low-end consumer models to high-end enterprise solutions. However, their market share is significantly smaller than the major players.

Key developments in the market include:

• In 2023, Microsoft Azure announced the launch of its Azure Networking, a suite of tools and services designed to help customers build and manage secure, reliable, and scalable networks.
• In 2022, Juniper Networks announced the launch of its Junos Fusion Cloud, a cloud-native network operating system designed to help customers manage and secure their networks across multi-cloud environments.

Recent developments related to key players providing network interface cards have been tracked by the analysts at Persistence Market Research, which will be accessible in the full report.

Network Interface Card Industry Report Scope

Key Segments of Network Interface Card Industry Research

By Type:

• Ethernet NICs
  • 5-Base T
  • 10-Base T
  • 100-Base T
  • Gigabit Ethernet
• Wireless NICs

By Application:

• Wireless Communication Devices
  • Firewall
  • Bridges
  • Repeaters
• Wired Communication Devices
  • Hubs
  • Switches
  • Routers
  • Telephones

By End User:

• Data Centers
• Networking Service Providers
• Telecom Operators
• Enterprises/Corporates
• Others

By Region:

• North America
• Latin America
• East Asia
• South Asia & Pacific
• Western Europe
• Eastern Europe
• Central Asia
• Russia & Belarus
• Balkan & Baltic Countries
• Middle East and Africa

To know more about delivery timeline for this report Contact Sales