2G, 3G & 4G Subscriptions, Deployments and Infrastructure Contracts Database Q4'2013

With over 250 commercial network launches and over a thousand LTE-enabled devices available in the market as of December 2013, LTE adoption has considerably gained momentum throughout the globe. Unique market and operator requirements have driven several early LTE launches. Driven by these early launches global LTE subscriptions reached nearly 130 Million in Q4'2013. From an operator viewpoint U.S. operators dominate the market with a 37% market share thanks to the tremendous coverage footprint of tier 1 operators Verizon Wireless & AT&T. The market share of U.S. operators is followed by Japanese and Korean operators NTT DoCoMo, KDDI, SoftBank, LG Uplus, SK Telecom and KT which represent 38% of all LTE subscriptions worldwide. Going forward, the LTE market is set to grow at a CAGR of 56% over the next 7 years and will eventually represent more than 20% of all mobile connections by 2020. From an infrastructure manufacturer perspective Ericsson, Huawei, Nokia Siemens Networks and Alcatel-Lucent are leading the market and account for a combined market share of 85% of all LTE contracts. Ericsson is also leading the market from a technology neutral perspective with a 24% stake in all global 2G/3G/4G contracts.

Covering over 810 operators, 53 infrastructure vendors and 222 countries worldwide the "2G/3G/4G Subscriptions, Deployments and Infrastructure Contracts Database Q4'2013" tracks global cellular network deployments, infrastructure vendor contracts, and subscriptions by technology, data protocol, category (pre-paid, post paid), region, country, and operator.

The report includes: • Infrastructure contracts by technology, data protocol, region, country, vendor and operator • Infrastructure market share by equipment type, region, country and vendor • Network deployments by technology, data protocol, region, country and operator. • Number of cellular network subscriptions (as of Q4'2013) by air interface technology, data protocol, region, country and operator • Five-year subscriptions forecasts by air interface technology, data protocol, region, country and operator • Subscriptions market share data by air interface technology, data protocol, region, country and operator. • Penetration data by region and country • Population data by region and country

source: www.sacbee.com

M2M world allaince delivers first multi operator global solution

The M2M World Alliance, which is comprised of Etisalat, KPN, NTT DOCOMO, Rogers, SingTel, Telefonica, Telstra and VimpelCom, today officially unveiled its solution which aims to simplify and promote the adoption of machine-to-machine (M2M) communications worldwide.

The unique solution will leverage the operators' combined global presence to benefit customers who are looking for regional or global M2M deployments. It allows companies to enjoy connectivity throughout the Alliance coverage area with in-market rates. Additional benefits include easier compliance with local market regulations and the potential for multinationals to provide global technical support from a single market.

The name "M2M World Alliance" has recently been created to identify the group's coordinated operations.  Its multi-coloured logo represents the Alliance's aspiration to coordinate the delivery of M2M services globally.

"We believe that our unique and seamless solution will drive rapid growth in the adoption of M2M communications worldwide by giving our customers the ability to operate connected devices globally at a reduced cost," said Angel David Garcia Barrio, Chairman of the M2M World Alliance. "With operations in more than 60 countries, the Alliance's global footprint presents multinational organizations with a seamless approach to deploying connected devices in multiple countries at one time."

M2M communications are used when machines - a broad term for equipment used in all sorts of industries, including consumer electronics, utilities, agriculture and construction - connect and exchange information with information technology infrastructure. It is considered by many as the latest stage in the internet's evolution: when cyberspace reaches beyond the traditional confines of computers to connect to any device with a microprocessor.

Major growth areas identified by the M2M World Alliance for its global solution include connected cars, fleet management, smart meters, consumer electronics, game consoles, wearable electronics, telehealth and security solutions.

"Access to a simple, seamless SIM solution on a global platform presents a significant growth opportunity for global businesses deploying connected devices," said Mansell Nelson, Vice President, M2M, Rogers Communications. "Our single SIM card makes it easier for businesses to deploy connected devices in multiple countries and will drive further growth for the machine-to-machine business at Rogers."

source: www.newswire.ca

MTN announces Bloemfontein LTE service

 Mobile operator MTN announced on Tuesday that it had launched higher speed Long Term Evolution in Bloemfontein as part of a national rollout.

Data consumption in SA has emerged as a key driver of revenue for operators and LTE is expected to significantly improve the user experience of mobile internet.

"Data traffic continues to grow exponentially, led by video and users want to be connected to content and friends, everywhere and always, expecting perfect quality, zero latency, and limitless speed with zero costs," said Eben Albertyn, chief technology officer at MTN SA.

Vodacom and MTN were first to launch LTE services in SA, and though there is a shortage of spectrum, the strategy of recycling spectrum has seen penetration in some areas.

Generally, LTE is available in the metropolitan areas of the country, and the GSMA has urged the government to accelerate the allocation of spectrum.

One of the hurdles in the provision of LTE spectrum has been the delay in SA moving toward Digital Terrestrial Television. Analogue free to air TV occupies some of the frequency required for LTE to become universally available.

"There're policy makers and there're politicians. Politicians love to say things like 'South Africa will have the analogue digital transition by 2012'. They love to make these pronouncements - ambitious terms - but not necessarily backed up by reality," Peter Lyons GSMA director for spectrum policy in Africa and the Middle East told News24 recently.

In developed markets like Japan, the smartphone penetration of 76% has resulted in a mobile internet revolution that has seen operators like NTT Docomo being able to offer a range of rich media services and mobile payment solutions on mobile devices.

Japan eliminated 2G networks in 2011, and LTE connections already make up nearly a quarter of national coverage.

source: www.news24.com