Global 4G LTE subscriber base rose 110 percent to 157.7 million as of September 2013 from 75 million LTE connections in 2012.
Out of this, 66 million 4G subscriptions were in Asia compared to 79 million in North America. North America’s current dominance is set to decline.
After more than doubling in 4G connections in nine months of 2013, LTE connections are forecast to reach 1 billion by early 2018.
Global LTE industry body 4G Americas says there are 233 commercial LTE networks today while 250 commercial LTE networks are expected by the end of 2013. In addition, there are over 440 total commitments to LTE deployment by wireless operators to date.
4G in North America
4G Americas says LTE connections in North America rose to 78.9 million subscriptions. LTE currently represents 21 percent of the 378 million total mobile subscriptions in the region in the third quarter of 2013.
North American 4G market remains in the leadership position of LTE market share worldwide with 50 percent of the world’s 157.7 million LTE connections in September 2013. LTE represented 2.4 percent of all cellular connections worldwide.
4G in Latin America
ABI Research says Latin American smartphone subscriptions will reach 453 million — 54.6 percent of the total subscriptions — by the end of 2018. Smartphone adoption will also contribute to LTE subscriptions. In Latin America, LTE subscribers will grow from just 0.3 percent of total subscriptions at the end of 2013 to 12.5 percent by 2018, or 104 million.
4G Americas says in Latin America, the LTE and HSPA mobile broadband market share increased to 24 percent with 168 million connections of the total 700 million mobile connections, with 509 million GSM subscriptions beginning to decline and shift to mobile broadband technology. Latin America gained 59.1 million new HSPA and HSPA+ connections, adding 20.2 million in the third quarter alone.
According to 4G Americas forecast, there will be nearly 1 million 4G connections at the end of 2013 from 818,000 LTE connections as of September 2013.
In North America, HSPA and HSPA+ gained 1.4 million new connections for the quarter and 7.8 million connections year-over-year with a market share of 34 percent and bringing the combined market share for LTE and HSPA mobile broadband in the region to 55 percent.
MediaTek and Qualcomm gain
ABI Research says chipset manufacturers like MediaTek and Qualcomm are working with handset manufacturers to provide cheaper smartphones aimed at emerging markets.
Latin American smartphone subscriptions will reach 453 million or 54.6 percent of total subscriptions by the end of 2018. Smartphone adoption will also contribute to LTE subscriptions. In Latin America, LTE subscribers will grow from just 0.3 percent of total subscriptions at the end of 2013 to 12.5 percent by 2018, or 104 million.
