Worldwide LTE connections will surpass the 100-million milestone this week, with the U.S. and Canada accounting for 57 million of the global total, according to data from Informa Telecoms & Media. There are 172 operators in 70 countries with LTE networks up and running, according to the regional industry association and the Bellevue, Washington-based market research firm.
Informa expects there will be more than 250 commercial LTE networks up and running around the world by the end of this year. “Canada and the U.S. continue to outpace the world in LTE connections with a hefty 57 percent of all LTE connections,” 4G Americas president Chris Pearson. “We are pleased to report that 20 Latin American operators have commercially deployed LTE networks and the number of connections in the region is quickly increasing.”
Highlights of 4G Americas-Informa’s latest LTE research findings for the Americas region include:
North America
- 22 commercial LTE networks deployed in Canada and U.S.
- 38 million LTE connections at the end of 2012; 57 million LTE connections as of May 2013 with 57 percent global market share
Latin America
- 20 commercial LTE networks in 9 countries: Antigua & Barbuda, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Paraguay, Puerto Rico and Uruguay
- More than 136,000 LTE connections (May 2013)
- Forecast 2 million LTE connections at the end of 2013
Global highlights include:
- 172 commercial LTE networks today; 250 commercial LTE networks expected by the end of 2013
- Over 450 total commitments to LTE deployment by wireless operators to date
- 68 million LTE connections at the end of 2012; 100 million as of May 2013, representing an increase of nearly 50 percent in five months
- Nearly a doubling of connections forecast in 2013 to 134 million LTE connections
- LTE connections are forecast to reach 1 billion by early 2018
For further information, readers can refer to 4G Americas website, where a continually updated list of HSPA, HSPA+ and LTE Global Deployments is maintained.
