The software-defined networking (SDN) market is projected to expand significantly, reaching an estimated value of approximately US$ 23.93 billion by the year 2025, a substantial increase from US$ 1.62 billion in 2015. The telecom and IT sectors are anticipated to experience a remarkable compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 30.4% throughout the forecast period from 2016 to 2025. In today's fast-paced IT landscape, the critical factors driving success include speed, size, and efficiency. The surge in the use of smartphones, laptops, tablets, gaming consoles, and various other devices for data transfer has heightened the demand for software-defined networking solutions.

SDN offers numerous advantages to the IT sector, such as rapid deployment, enhanced energy efficiency, and, most importantly, scalability. As a result, the IT industry is increasingly adopting SDN to remain competitive in a challenging market environment. Additionally, the rapid growth in mobile subscribers necessitates an expansion in data storage capabilities and the implementation of efficient networking servers. Consequently, players in the telecommunications sector are turning to software-defined networking solutions to achieve operational efficiency and cost reduction.

The software-defined networking market can be categorized by end-user verticals, which include Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI), telecommunications and IT, consumer goods and retail, government and defense, research and academia, among others. The rise of cloud-based service implementations within enterprises is one of the key trends driving the growth of the software-defined networking market. Across nearly all industry sectors, there is a growing demand for SDN capabilities that enhance business operations and productivity while simultaneously mitigating security risks.

To determine the overall market size, a combination of primary and secondary research methods has been employed. The research process begins with comprehensive secondary research, utilizing both internal and external sources to gather qualitative and quantitative data relevant to the market. Following this, primary interviews are conducted with industry participants and commentators to validate the findings and analyses. Participants in this research typically include industry experts such as vice presidents, business development managers, market intelligence managers, and national sales managers, as well as external consultants like valuation experts, research analysts, and key opinion leaders who specialize in the software-defined networking field.