LTE subscriber totals have surpassed WiMAX in 2Q12, reports ABI Research. Report also predicts that LTE handsets will surpass 80-percent of device shipments during 2016. According to new market data from market intelligence firm, in South Korea, the United States, and Japan, the number of LTE subscribers surpassed that of WiMAX subscribers in 4Q11, 1Q12, and 2Q12, respectively.

“In mid-2014, even subscribers to LTE in TDD mode will have surpassed WiMAX subscribers at which point WiMAX subscribers will begin their permanent, slow decline,” says research director Phil Solis.

TD-LTE subscriber growth is slow with only a handful of smaller mobile operators currently servicing active subscribers.  ABI adds that it will greatly accelerate towards the end of 2013 and into 2014 when larger mobile operators with TDD spectrum start adding LTE subscribers – especially China Mobile.

In a another report, company outlines that mobile capital expenditure in Western Europe contracted 3.8% quarter-on-quarter (QoQ) even though mobile operators are building out coverage for 4G, and to a lesser extent enhancing capacity and coverage of their 3G networks. Not only was QoQ spend down but also, year-on-year (YoY) growth was down significantly (19%).