The Heterogeneous Networks (HetNets) market is expected to reach $16.94bn in 2018 from rising from $880.73m in 2012, according to a report by MarketsandMarkets.

According to the report, Heterogeneous Networks (Hetnets): Small Cells & Carrier Wi-Fi Market: Global Advancements, Adoption Trends, Technology Roadmaps, Market Forecasts & Analysis (2013 – 2018), the market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 62.22%.

Growth in mobile data traffic, reduction in cost through mobile data offload and lack of available spectrum would be main driver for the growth, the report revealed.

In terms of regions, North America will continue to be a major market for HetNets while the report forecasts that Asia-Pacific (APAC) region is expected to see growth over the next five years.

The market will be dominated by companies like Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN), Alcatel-Lucent and Qualcomm.

HetNets includes products like femtocells, picocells, microcells and carrier Wi-Fi while services include design and consulting, RF planning, integration, testing and training.