Asia-Pacific adds half a billion+ LTE subscriptions

22 Mar 2018
Joe Barrett

Asia-Pacific region adds more than half a billion new LTE subscriptions in a year

22 March 2018, London –  The Global mobile Suppliers Association (GSA) confirms that LTE now accounts for more than a third of all mobile subscriptions globally (35.7%).  The latest data, provided to GSA by Ovum, reveals that there were 2.8 billion LTE subscriptions around the world at the end of December 2017, compared to 1.96 billion subscriptions a year earlier.

The fast growth of LTE subscriptions is expected to continue over the next five-year period. According to the Ovum data, LTE subscriber numbers are set to top 5.6 billion by the end of 2022 (more than 60% of all mobile subscriptions globally at that time).

At present, the Asia Pacific (APAC) continues to lead in terms of LTE adoption. Operators in the region added 572 million new LTE subscriptions in the twelve-months to the end of 2017. The Asia-Pacific now accounts for 62% of all LTE subscriptions worldwide. Meanwhile, Africa and Latin America & the Caribbean sustained very fast LTE adoption rates, accomplishing growth of 73% and 67% respectively.

Ovum’s data predicts that 5G is set for rapid growth after 2019. Next year is expected to deliver fewer than half a million subscriptions. However, the new technology is set to gain momentum in subsequent years, reaching nearly 400 million subscribers by the end of 2022.

Joe Barrett, President of GSA, said, “LTE continues its rapid growth globally. We have witnessed some tremendous adoption rates in Asia Pacific and Latin America; and in Africa too, albeit from a small starting point. Given current trends, GSA expects LTE subscriptions to account for more than half the market by the end of 2020. The next five-year period will also be an exciting time for 5G. The new technology’s first significant impact will be felt between 2020 and 2022. Global growth will accelerate after that.’’