LTE connections are set to break through the one billion mark by 2017 and then almost double in the following two years, new research has claimed.
A report by Juniper Research said by 2019, the 1.8 billion LTE connections will account for 22 percent of worldwide active SIMs. One key factor in driving LTE connections will be TD-LTE technology, which uses unpaired spectrum and will be rolled out across China, Japan and India.
Juniper’s Nitin Bhas said: “TD-LTE will play a significant role, especially in the emerging markets, pushed by China Mobile’s need to support TD-LTE and accelerate its commercial deployment in China. There are 36 commercial TD-LTE networks and we expect active TD-LTE connections to demonstrate a higher annual growth rate when compared to FD-LTE (frequency division) over the next five years.”
According to figures released this week by the Global mobile Suppliers Association (GSA), the number of LTE enabled devices has almost doubled during the past 12 months to 1,889. There are 308 LTE networks launched worldwide, with the GSA predicting 350 operating by the end of 2014.
Globally, there are 43 percent of operators using the 1800MHz band for LTE, with 769 user devices suitable for the technology. The GSA said 769 1800MHz compatible devices have been launched during the past year, a growth of 170 percent. More than 40 percent of all LTE devices can run on the 1800MHz bandwidth.
Alan Hadden, President of the GSA, said: “Rapidly expanding LTE network coverage, boosted by digital dividend spectrum coming into use in several markets, the introduction of LTE-Advanced capabilities by operators in all regions, and the fast developing TDD market in China are amongst the key drivers behind the fantastic growth we reported today.”
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