4G subscriptions will overtake 3G HSPA in 2020 when LTE will have 3.6 billon connections, said 4G Americas.
In 2020, the number of 3G connections will be 3.5 billion, GSM 1.2 billion.
In June, 2015, the user base of GSM was 54 percent, 3G HSPA 27.6 percent, LTE 10.45 percent, CDMA 5.1 percent and TD-SCDMA 2.97 percent of total mobile subscriber base.
4G Americas, quoting a research report by Ovum, said LTE connections are forecast to reach nearly 1 billion in 2015, 3 billion in 2019 and 3.6 billion in 2020.
LTE subscriptions rose 141 percent to nearly 755 million in the second quarter of 2015.
The number of LTE-Advanced networks increased by 21 networks in the last quarter. There are 88 LTE-Advanced commercial networks in 45 countries.
There are 425 commercial LTE networks today in 145 countries.
LTE has 47.5 percent share of telecom market within all mobile wireless connections in North America against Western Europe at 19 percent and Oceania, Eastern and South-Eastern Asia at 16.25 percent. Penetration of LTE in North America increased to 55 percent compared to Western Europe at 24 percent and Oceania, Eastern and South-Eastern Asia at 17 percent.
North America
Telecom network operators have deployed 68 commercial LTE networks in U.S. and Canada, plus 7 LTE-Advanced networks.
North America has 198 million LTE connections as of June 2015; net gain of 65 million new LTE subscribers during the last 12 months.
LTE connections in North America are forecast to reach 206 million by year-end 2015 and nearly 400 million by year-end 2020.
Latin America added 17 million new LTE connections over twelve months, ending the quarter with 22.5 million subscriptions growing at 324 percent in June 2015.
GSM declined by 66 million connections, and HSPA gained 68 million connections.
Latin America
Telecoms deployed 70 commercial LTE networks in 28 countries — 52 in Latin America and 18 in the Caribbean.
There were 22.5 million LTE connections as of June 2015; net gain of 17 million new LTE subscribers during the last 12 months.
LTE connections in Latin America are forecast to reach 29 million by year-end 2015 and 259 million by year-end 2020.
There were 299 million HSPA and HSPA+ connections, 23 million added in 2Q; 68 million in 12 months ending in June 2015.
Baburajan K
editor@telecomlead.com
