100M Connections are Reached through 4G LTE

4G LTE networks are basically still in their infancy, although a major portion of the U.S. is covered. About 90 percent is covered by the four major carriers. Research firm Wireless Intelligence has it pegged that we have now reached 100 million connections on a global basis.

Wireless Intelligence, by its own words, is the definitive source of mobile operator data, analysis and forecasts. It uses over 13 million individual data points which are updated daily, and its service provides coverage of the performance of 1,140 operators and 1,153 mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) across 3,505 networks, 65 groups and 236 countries worldwide.

According to a recent report from Wireless Intelligence, we have reached the 100 million connection mark. These connections come across 163 networks that are currently operating in 70 countries.

The report speculates that the number of countries will almost double to 120 by the end of 2017, and the number of networks will increase by more than two and a half times to more than 400 million in the same time frame. Joss Gillet, a senior analyst at Wireless Intelligence, predicts that by the of 2017 there will be more than 900 million LTE connections with the one billion mark being reached by only the first half of 2018.

 “Around 100 LTE networks have launched last year globally and as many are expected to launch this year,” Gillet said. “Even if the 4G LTE global market is still in its infancy, mobile operators worldwide are eager to replicate the success stories seen in the US where operators have already started turning the page over the 2G chapter.”

At this point, only five countries are leading the way with 90 percent of the international LTE connections market. The five countries should come as no surprise. We, of course, have the U.S., along with Australia, Canada, Japan and South Korea.

Everyone wants a faster connection. Since more people are using their mobile devices for work, faster speeds means that corporations will have more completed. For the individual, it means that movies will play smoother and we cannot forget the all-important: it means that more shopping will get done!