LTE Becomes Real; 3G Gaining Ground

Despite the buzz about LTE, only 11% of total cellular subscriptions worldwide are 3G, according to market research and consultancy In-Stat. By 2013, the percentage will rise to 28%. Meanwhile, LTE is moving beyond talk and into real contract awards.

HSPA is the main beneficiary of the drive to 3G as it leads both new deployments and contract awards so far in 2009. Ericsson and Huawei led the infrastructure providers in new contract awards for HSPA. The new, high profile contract awards in 3G included China Unicom, Telecom Italia and Telefonica.

"The roll-out of 3G worldwide is important, but the story of the day is LTE becoming a reality," says Allen Nogee, In-Stat analyst. "LTE contracts have been awarded in Japan, Singapore, United States, Norway, and Sweden. Infrastructure leaders are far from decided; however, Alcatel-Lucent, Ericsson, and Huawei are the early beneficiaries of the early LTE contract awards."

Posted to the site on 10th June 2009