The number of 4G LTE subscriptions has touched 497 million in 2014, said GSA (the Global mobile Suppliers Association).
The growth of 4G LTE subscriptions in 2014 was 140 percent with the industry adding 290 million LTE subscriptions in the year.
GSA said LTE subscription net additions outpaced 3G/WCDMA-HSPA by 21 percent during the last 6 months of 2014, with LTE leading in both Q3 and Q4.
“LTE subscriptions increased 115 million in Q4, over 36 percent higher than 3G/WCDMA-HSPA connections. GSM subscriptions fell by 78.5 million in the same period,” said Alan Hadden, vice president of Research, GSA.
The Asia Pacific region increased its share of connections to 47 percent in December 2014 against 40 percent in June 2014.
North America has 33 percent of the global LTE subscriptions against 42.3 percent in previous 6 months previously, while Europe increased its share in the same period from 14.3 percent to 16 percent by year end.
GSA forecasts there will be at least 450 commercially launched LTE networks globally by end 2015 against 364 that had entered service by the end of last year.
Baburajan K
editor@telecomlead.com
