A recent LTE report from GSA confirms that commercial networks quadrupled in 12 months and so far 80 LTE operators have launched commercial services. In 2012, 33 networks has been launched till June 4. This figure includes 7 commercial LTE TDD systems which are launched in Brazil, India, Japan, Poland, Saudi Arabia and Sweden.
A new Traffic and Market Report from Ericsson says that 85 percent of the world's population will have internet coverage via 3G by 2017 and there will be close to nine billion mobile subscriptions, compared to six billion by the end of 2011. Report expects mobile data traffic to grow by 15 times between 2011 and 2017.
LTE subscriptions around the world may exceed 40 million by the end of 2012 says ABI Research. This will represent a fourfold increase over the nine million global LTE subscriptions in 2011. The wide range of expected LTE smartphone launches in 2012 from major mobile manufacturers are the main reason behind the increase in LTE subscriptions.
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.
Sprint and Sierra Wireless will launch a 4G Tri-Fi Hotspot on May 18. The new device supports both 4G technologies LTE and WiMAX with the additional capability to connect to a 3G network outside of 4G coverage areas.
Sony Mobile Communications has launched two new LTE Android smartphones Xperia GX and Xperia SX for the Japanese market. LTE enabled Xperia smartphones support download speeds of up to 75mbps and comes with 1.5GHz dual core processors for faster performance and Reality Display. Xperia GX and Xperia SX will be available in the Japanese market from summer 2012.
The Small Cell Forum says that public access small cells could play a key role in providing additional mobile coverage, capacity and new services in both urban and rural areas.
A new report says that that Britain will see significant economic and social benefits from the introduction of 4G LTE mobile broadband. Research is commissioned by Everything Everywhere and released from Capital Economics.
United Mobile Apps, a Bangalore, India based startup has raised series A funding of $1 million, led by Mumbai Angels. Company plans to use this funding to focus on 4G LTE Technology and also to scale up its employee count in the next few months.
FCC has approved the transfer of AWS spectrum licenses from AT&T to T-Mobile USA, clearing the way of operator's planned $4 billion network modernization and 4G evolution plan. Earlier announced operator's LTE roadmap had assumed successful reframing of spectrum and regulatory approval of AT&T break-up spectrum transfer.
87 million 4G devices are expected to be sold in 2012, says ABI Research. With 294% year-on-year increase, 4G subscriptions are really going to take off in 2012. LTE will take major share of this market as WiMAX is running out of favor from vendors and operators.
Maravedis-Rethink projects 458 million dual-mode (TD-LTE + FDD-LTE) devices activated by 2016, according to the latest research report titled "Global 4G Device Forecast 2012-2016."