GSA, the Global mobile Suppliers Association, has confirmed that LTE subscriptions are growing faster than any other mobile communications system technology. Referring to newly-released data provided by Ovum Ltd, GSA calculated that LTE subscription net additions outpaced 3G/WCDMA-HSPA by 21% during the last 6 months of 2014, with LTE leading in both Q3 and Q4.

According to GSA, there were 497 million LTE subscriptions worldwide by 31 December 2014. A total of 290 million LTE subscriptions were gained in the year, equivalent to 140% annual growth. 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. 

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.

GSA further forecasts at least 450 commercially launched LTE networks globally by end 2015, up from 364 that had entered service by the end of last year.