GSA confirms 821 LTE user devices announced by 97 manufacturers

474 new LTE user devices were announced in the past year. Smartphones remain the largest LTE device category with 4 times as many products released compared to the landscape in April 2012. LTE connected tablets is another fast growing segment.

The underlying research by GSA for the report considered devices that are designed to operate on the FDD and/or TDD modes of the LTE system and their main characteristics, and identified the fallback technologies included for when subscribers move outside LTE coverage (i.e. access to HSPA, HSPA+, DC-HSPA+, EV-DO, or TD-SCDMA systems). 562 LTE devices can operate on HSPA networks, including 259 products that incorporate 42 Mbps DC-HSPA+ capabilities, while 215 LTE devices can also operate on EV-DO systems.

Most of the 821 LTE devices operate in the FDD mode. However, 166 devices can operate using the LTE TDD mode, with band 38 (2.6 GHz) and band 40 (2.3 GHz) having the largest number. LTE TDD devices are available in all form factors including smartphones, dongles, routers, portable hotspots, embedded modules, and mobile tablets. In the report GSA calls on semiconductor and device manufacturers to support the many operators who are deploying or planning LTE TDD systems in globally available 3.5 GHz spectrum (bands 42, 43) to ensure a good choice and timely availability of user devices.

GSA recently confirmed that 1800 MHz (band 3) is the most widely used spectrum for LTE networks in commercial service, followed by 2600 MHz (band 7) and 800 MHz (band 20). The frequency band support in LTE devices aligns with this trend (several products support more than one band):

2600 MHz = 280 devices
1800 MHz = 233 devices
800 MHz = 207 devices


Alan Hadden, President of the GSA said: “A user with a dual band 1800/2600 MHz LTE FDD device could potentially use it on around 100 LTE networks in more than 55 countries i.e. 83% of markets where LTE service is commercially available today.”

Source: http://www.gsacom.com/news/gsa_374.php

LTE subs to climb from 114 M in 2013 to 258 M in 2014

The Yankee Group's report notes that the Global Mobile Suppliers Association forecasts there will be 152 commercial LTE networks in 65 countries by the end of 2012, up from 47 networks at the end of 2011. As a result, Yankee predicts there will be 114 million active LTE connections globally by the end of 2013, increasing to 258 million by the end of 2014.

//fiercewireless.com

4 reasons Why You Need a LTE Phone

1. Overall Device and Network Performance
2. Streaming Media
3. Sharing Your LTE Connection via Mobile Hotspot
4. Videoconferencing over LTE

//cio.com

Samsung, HTC and LG lead in LTE smartphone sales in Europe

At the moment Samsung, HTC и LG smartphones lead the race, but China-based and other players are ready to step into the segment.

In the exception of Germany and Norther Europe countries, most operators focusing on sales of LTE mobile data cards, mobile hot-spots and household wireless broadband devices.

In Northern Europe the mostly adopted is Samsung Galaxy S2 LTE, Vodafone Germany has launched:

HTC Velocity 4G
HTC One XL
Samsung Galaxy S2 LTE
LG P936 Optimus True HD LTE

Deutsche Telekom additionally has HTC One XL and Samsung Galaxy S3 LTE.

Sales of LTE smartphones totalled only 1.9 million units in Europe in 1H2012, according to GfK.

\\digitimes.com

LTE iPhone 5 may lure AT&T users to Verizon

With its larger LTE network, Verizon could benefit if AT&T iPhone buyers need to switch carriers to grab the higher speed, says a Jefferies & Co. analyst. //news.cnet.com

Yes. And Verizon has bigger coverage as well.

47% of US consumers don't feel need for 4G LTE

47% of surveyed don't feel they need access to a 4G LTE network
26% thought all 4G LTE networks were largely the same

Research note: despite all the 4G advertizing, consumers aren't really focused on it.

51% of respondents indicating that either they didn't know who had the best 4G network or that ann 4G networks were the same.

Of the 55% apparently contemplating next iPhone purchase, 44% indicated they would choose Verizon as their carrier, 29% - AT&T, 14% - Sprint, 13% T-Mobile.

//newc.cnet.com

Focusing on the customer experience will be crucial to differentiate RCS services from OTT

The LTE coverage and performance of SK Telecom's LTE network is similar to that of the company’s 3G mobile service and it was achieved in just a year-and-a-half since the launch of its commercial LTE service.

Q:  Will technology such as the IMS based Joyn be able to compete with OTT voice players?

Dr. Choi, Jin-sung, is senior vice president and head of technology strategy office for SK Telecom, Korea:  OTT service only enables communication between customers who downloaded the application, whereas RCS services like Joyn allows users to call/chat with and send multimedia contents to any number stored in the phone address book. RCS services’ strength lies in the stability, reliability and security guaranteed by telecommunications companies. Thus, a speedy response focusing on the customer experience will be crucial to differentiate RCS services from OTT services.

Q: Is there enough innovation occurring in the mobile network industry? Can you provide some examples?

Dr. Choi: At present, the mobile industry is witnessing an evolution to 4G LTE, the fastest telecommunications network. High speed networks not only enable fast mobile internet service but also support the advent of more innovative services. For instance, ultra-fast LTE networks will lead to the creation and provision of real-time network games and mobile video streaming services as well as more innovative convergence services like health care and smart learning services.

\\telecoms.com

HTC EVO 4G LTE - 1 penny for new Sprint's customers

Amazon Wireless is currntly offering up Sprint's latest 4G LTE smartphone for a mere penny with the new 2-year contract. This is much lower then the US$199.99 price that Sprint currently asks for the device. \\gottabemobile.com

New GSA report: Status of the Global LTE TDD Market

This new report incorporates data and analysis from GSA's Evolution to LTE report (published July 11, 2012) and Status of the LTE Ecosystem report (published July 3, 2012) and summarizes LTE TDD operator commitments, trials, studies, network deployments, commercial launches, and spectrum developments worldwide, and LTE TDD user devices availability. Available for www.gsacom.com registered site users to download.

The largest contiguous bands are at 2.3 GHz (100 MHz, band 40) and within the 2.6 GHz (band 38). China also has band 39 (1880-1920 MHz). LTE TDD system is being deployed using 2496-2690 MHz (band 41) in USA. UK Broadband is deploying its LTE TDD system in 124 MHz of spectrum in 3.4-3.6 GHz (band 42).

9 commercial LTE TDD systems are launched (by July 11)
38 LTE TDD network deployments, trials, studies activities worldvide.
68 user devices can operate in the LTE TDD mode
- 2300 MHz band 40 - 53 devices
- 2600 MHz band 38 - 59 devices
- 2600 MHz band 41 - 5 devices
19 FDD 800/1800/2600 FDD LTE devices also support LTE TDD band 38 (2.6 GHz)

Operators goes to LTE 1800

1800 MHz spectrum is used in over a quarter of launched LTE networks worldwide.  Use of 1800 MHz for LTE is also gathering pace – of 17 commercial networks launched since the beginning of May 2012, 7 were deployed with spectrum in the 1800 MHz band. \fiercewireless.com

A Profile of Spectrum Bands Used for Commercial LTE Deployments Source: Tolaga LTE Market Monitor 2012

Tolaga's Radio Spectrum Intelligence:

• Where spectrum in the 1800 MHz band is unallocated, regulators need to consider its expedited release in the context of existing operator holdings and LTE plans. 
• If unused or underutilized spectrum is identified, regulators may assess opportunities for its reclamation and reallocation, depending upon demand. 
• Where spectrum re-farming or flexible use is not permitted in the band, such restrictions should be urgently revisited to allow for technological neutrality at 1800 MHz, and indeed in other legacy bands.

\fiercewireless.com