Globally, LTE subcriptions recorded close to half a billion users (497 million) by end of last year. According to Global Mobile Suppliers Association (GSA), a total of 290 million LTE subscriptions were gained last year alone, representing a 140% annual growth. GSA also said that LTE subscription net additions outpaced 3G/WCDMA-HSPA by 21% during the last 6 months of 2014.
GSA forecasts there will be at least 450 commercially launched LTE networks globally by end of 2015, up from 364 that had entered service by the end of last year, with deployment of LTE-Advanced technologies becoming a major industry trend in all regions. The APAC region increased its share of connections to 47% by end December 2014 compared to 40% in June 2014. North America is the second largest LTE market with 33% of global LTE subscriptions, down from 42.3% in six months previously, while Europe increased its share in the same period from 14.3% to 16% by year end.
LTE subscriptions grew by 115 million in Q4, over 36% higher than 3G/WCDMA-HSPA connections. GSM subscriptions fell by 78.5 million in the same period. We are confident that LTE growth will continue to lead all other mobile systems.
Joe Barrett, President of GSA
LTE has quickly built a huge momentum across the world with a rapidly expanding footprint. LTE net subscription additions in Q4 2014 were 45% higher than in the previous quarter.