LTE subscriptions in North America has soared to 22.3 million, a increase of almost 19 million in 12 months at the end of the 3Q 2012. This represents 51 percent of all 43.7 million LTE connections worldwide, reports 4G Americas. 128 commercial LTE networks have been launched in 58 countries to date.

German mobile spectrum auction bids totaled EUR3.25 billion on day 23. It is up from EUR3.19 billion the day before.

According to IHS iSuppli, the new iPad is more expensive to produce than the iPad 2 at the time of product launch, even though the retail price points are the same. The 32GB LTE model’s bill of materials (BOM) is nearly 9 percent higher than an iPad 2 equipped with 32GB and 3G wireless, which carried a cost of approximately $335 at the time of product launch.

Sprint has announced the next evolution of the HTC EVO family: HTC EVO 4G LTE. It will be available in the second quarter for $199.99. The availability date will be announced later.

GSA has confirmed that 72 LTE operators have launched commercial LTE services, including 25 networks launched so far in 2012. Commercial LTE services are now available today in 37 countries.