Long-term evolution (LTE) continues to grow faster than any other mobile communications system technology.
This is according to a report by the Global Mobile Suppliers Association (GSA), which notes LTE gained 182 million connections in Q1 2016, almost four times faster than 3G/HSPA systems.
The GSA points out that 3G/HSPA subscriptions grew by 48 million, while GSM subscriptions fell by 120 million in the same quarter. The number of LTE and LTE-Advanced subscriptions is expected to pass the 3G/WCDMA-HSPA global total in 2020, and possibly sooner, the association says.
Africa almost tripled its LTE subscriptions base to nine million in the year to 31 March, says the GSA.
SA, with six commercially launched LTE networks, has the highest number of networks in Africa, followed by Ghana, Nigeria and Uganda, which have four networks each. The six South African operators which have deployed LTE are Vodacom, MTN, Cell C, Telkom, Neotel and Afrihost.
This year, South African operators upped the ante in rolling out various LTE offerings. The telcos, during the beginning of the year, were switching on LTE-Advanced connections. Vodacom, Cell C and MTN recently also announced successful testing of LTE-Unlicensed.
Analysing mobile subscriptions data provided to GSA by Ovum for Q1 2016, GSA revealed the number of LTE and LTE-Advanced subscriptions reached 1.29 billion worldwide by 31 March. Over 645 million LTE subscriptions worldwide were gained during the past year, representing 100% annual growth.
Alan Hadden, vice-president of GSA, says: "LTE subscriptions were signed up during Q1 2016 at an average of two million per day and the rate is accelerating. LTE is now connecting over one in six mobile subscribers worldwide (17.4%)."
The Asia region, with over 734 million LTE subscriptions, further grew its share of global LTE subscriptions quarter-on-quarter to reach 56.8%.
By March, China had passed 511 million LTE subscriptions, adding 96.3 million in the quarter. North America remains the second largest LTE market with 253 million, though its share of the world market further declined 2.6% in the quarter to 19.6% of the global total. The European share of the global total is 14%.
Strong growth was recorded again in the Latin America and Caribbean region to reach 68.5 million 4G/LTE subscriptions. Some 11.1 million LTE subscriptions were added in the Middle East region in Q1 to reach 46.6 million. Russia has 16.7 million LTE subscriptions, and India has almost four million.
Some 503 operators have commercially launched LTE systems in 167 countries, according to GSA data. It forecasts there will be at least 550 commercially launched LTE networks by end-2016. The historic milestone of 500 commercially launched LTE networks was passed in May and reached in 77 months from first service launch, almost five years less than the time taken by 3G/WCDMA systems, and six months faster than HSPA systems.
More than one in three operators are investing in LTE-Advanced system deployments. Around 25% of LTE operators have commercially launched LTE-Advanced service, including several LTE operators that are now introducing LTE-Advanced Pro technologies, sometimes referred to as 4.5G, which is established as a major industry trend in 2016.
LTE-Advanced Pro systems can support peak downlink speeds up to 1Gbps and beyond.
Share