Long Term Evolution (LTE) is a next-generation cellular network technology, sometimes referred to as 4G. As described in this report, LTE is the technology of choice for most mobile operators, and with strong momentum, we expect it to be the long-term, next-generation network technology of choice. LTE has already overtaken WiMAX subscriptions in 2011, and the range of LTE devices has increased elevenfold in the past year. The largest LTE device segment will be PCs through 2014, as operators initially focus on mobile broadband access for PCs. But after 2014, the PC segment will be replaced by smartphones, with operators announcing more and more LTE models. The heavy emphasis on videos will drive mobile data usage for operators, as will the fact that LTE is well-suited for cloud-based computing thanks to its high bandwidth. In 2016, Pyramid Research forecasts there will be 592m LTE subscriptions, equivalent to 7.3% of all cellular subscriptions at that time.
Key Findings
LTE is gaining strong momentum and has already overtaken mobile WiMAX subscriptions during 2011. To date, 35 mobile operators have launched commercial LTE networks, a range of 197 devices have become available and the technology is maturing since the first network became live in late 2009.
The device range is booming, having increased elevenfold between the end of 2010 and October 2011.Three out of five device models are discrete modems, either routers or PC add-on devices. Samsung has shown the strongest support for LTE devices, offering a range of different devices and providing the largest range of smartphones and tablets thus far.
The initial focus of all operators is mobile broadband access for PCs. These subscriptions represent around 80% of all mobile data traffic, even though they account for fewer than 4% of mobile subscriptions.
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