The end is near for WiMax in the 4G race. Well, not exactly, but according to new IHS iSuppli research, worldwide LTE subscribers will increase rapidly over the next two years, surpassing WiMax subscribers in 2012. Ready to see the 2014 forecast?
If IHS Suppli research proves accurate, in 2014 worldwide LTE subscribers will reach 303.1 million, compared to just 33.4 million for WiMax. With more than nine times the subscribers, LTE will be poised to dominate next-generation network deployments.
At CES 2011, we saw a huge showing of LTE devices by Verizon Wireless. Of the ten devices showcased, there were three tablets, four smartphones, two notebooks and one mobile hotspot. This didn’t even include the existing LTE USB dongles released before the show.
Forecasts and predictions aside, WiMax currently enjoys a sizable lead in the 4G race, maintaining a dominant market share. In the US, At&t and Verizon Wireless chose LTE for their 4G networks. In Europe, Vodafone and TeliaSonera are also committed with current projections topping ten million subscribers.
In 2010 there were 6.8 million LTE subscribers worldwide. 2011 forecasts predict that number to jump to 14.9 million. This growth will be attributed to more than 30 new LTE operators launching service this year. Wimax, on the other hand, has a majority of operators in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa and the Americas. Adding more operators in those regions will be critical to the technology’s future.
Now it’s time to tell us what you think. Do you agree with the 2012, 2013 and 2014 forecasts of 4G worldwide subscribers? Will LTE really see this level of growth so quickly? Sound off.
via Cellular-news
