Global long term evolution (LTE) mobile broadband networks will generate $100 billion USD in revenue by 2014, according to a new white paper from Juniper Research.
LTE Improves 3GPP Capacity
LTE is a global mobile broadband standard whose overall aim is to improve the overall capacity of the 3GPP system to handle increasing volumes of data traffic during the next 10 years. The system needs to continuously evolve to remain competitive with other mobile broadband systems in cost and performance. LTE is the next development stage of 3GPP radio access interfaces. LTE is often used interchangeably with 4G (fourth generation) mobile broadband networks.
Most Revenue from N. America, W. Europe, Far East/China
In 2014, “4G LTE – Show Me The Money” forecasts the top three regions – North America, Western Europe, and the Far East and China, will account for 90% of global LTE revenue. Western Europe will represent the largest LTE market share, with North America and Far East/China having roughly equal shares of the market.
Of the remaining five markets analyzed by Juniper, the rest of Asia Pacific will represent the largest portion of the other 10% of global LTE revenue in 2014, with Central & Eastern Europe and Africa & Middle East following closely behind. Latin America and the Indian Subcontinent will represent minimal portions of the market.
Flat Rates Expected to Disappear
Almost nine in 10 (87.5%) respondents said flat rate tariffs will not continue in a 4G world. However, the rollout of LTE networks is not considered the primary driver pushing out flat rate tariffs, as they are starting to disappear even with existing HSDPA (high-speed downlink packet access) mobile broadband technologies. Rather, LTE networks are expected to accelerate the decline of flat rate tariffs in coming years.
Global LTE Subscriber Base to Hit 300M
In another recent white paper, Juniper predicted the global LTE subscriber base will exceed 300 million by 2015. Combined, Western Europe, North America and the Far East and China will represent 90% of LTE subscribers in 2015.
