LTE Network Flourishes Worldwide - Analyst Blog

Long-Term Evolution (LTE), the most sought after next-generation (4G) super-fast wireless communications technology, is rapidly gaining global momentum. The 4G wireless network aims to cope with substantial demand for high-speed wireless data services and mobile video.

The Global Mobile Suppliers Association (GSA) recently reported that currently 274 LTE networks are commercially available in 101 countries. The GSA estimated that more than 350 LTE networks will be commercially functional by the end of 2014.

In Nov 2013, The GSM Association's research wing, GMSA Intelligence, forecasted that there will be more than 1 billion LTE connections globally by 2017. Also, around 465 live LTE networks are projected to be present across 128 countries by 2017.

Recently, GSA reported that currently there are approximately 200.1 million LTE subscribers globally. Out of this, North America region has highest numbers of subscribers, around 101 million (50.5%), Asia-Pacific region boasts 77.8 million (38.8%) and Europe has around 16.4 million (8.2%) LTE subscribers.

In 2013, LTE added a net 125 million subscribers globally. This was the highest addition after 279 million net subscribers for WCDMA/HSPA technology. Currently, there are about 1.47 billion WCDMA/HSPA subscribers throughout the world.

GSMA Intelligence further reported that LTE users consume an average of 1.5GB data per month, two-fold the amount consumed by non-LTE users. In developing countries, LTE users are likely to generate 20 times higher average revenue per user (ARPU) for carriers than non-LTE users, whereas in developed countries ARPU can be 10%-40% higher for LTE users than non-LTE users. 

In the U.S., two major wireless operators, namely, Verizon Communications Inc. VZ and AT&T Inc. T are gradually expanding their respective LTE networks. Sprint Corp. S, the nation's third largest telecom firm, has undertaken a massive LTE network deployment project. In China – a major emerging market – leading wireless operator China Mobile Ltd. CHL has decided to initiate a significant LTE-TDD network deployment plan in 2014.