Driving 4G Adoption: Global Mobile Innovation

Introduction

Abstract

In this report, Parks Associates analysts provide an overview of operators' LTE deployments and dissect mobile operators' LTE strategies in the U.S. and globally, with a focus on bandwidth management and network monetization. The report also includes the latest consumer data from Parks Associates' primary research along with a forecast of 4G mobile subscribers through 2016.

"The consumer demand for fast mobile Internet is seemingly insatiable," said Jennifer Kent, Research Analyst at Parks Associates. "Carriers are making heavy investments in next-gen networks but need to find innovative ways to leverage their technology to better monetize their assets."

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

The Bottom Line

1.0 Report Summary

• 1.1 Purpose of Report
• 1.2 Scope of Report
• 1.3 Research Approach

2.0 4G Technology Snapshot

• 2.1 Long Term Evolution (LTE)
  • 2.1.1 LTE FDD and TDD
  • 2.1.2 LTE Advanced
  • 2.1.3 Voice over LTE (VoLTE)
• 2.2 WiMax and WiMax 2

3.0 Mobile Operators' LTE Strategies

• 3.1 LTE Deployments
  • 3.1.1 U.S. Mobile Network Operators
  • 3.1.2 Global Mobile Network Operators
  • 3.1.3 Enabling LTE Deployments: Network Equipment Vendors
• 3.2 LTE Spectrum and Network Management
  • 3.2.1 Spectrum Fragmentation
  • 3.2.2 Network Consolidation (M&A) and Network Sharing
  • 3.2.3 Small Cells and Wi-Fi Offloading
• 3.3 Monetizing LTE
  • 3.3.1 Mobile Data Pricing Plans
  • 3.3.2 Value Added Services
    • Mobile Entertainment Services
    • Cloud Services
    • Connected Home Services
    • Rich Communicate Suite-enhanced (RCS-e)
    • VAS Enabler Profiles
  • 3.3.3 VoLTE
  • 3.3.4 Machine-to-Machine (M2M)

4.0 Consumer Perspectives

5.0 Market Forecasts

• 5.1 Market Drivers and Barriers
• 5.2 Forecast Methodology
• 5.3 Forecast of LTE Mobile Subscribers

6.0 Market Implications and Recommendations

7.0 Appendix

• 7.1 Global LTE Deployments
• 7.2 Glossary
• 7.3 Index of Companies

Figures

• Companies Interviewed or Researched for Report
• LTE FDD and LTE TDD Compared
• Theoretical Mobile Data Speeds: LTE vs. LTE-Advanced
• Planned VoLTE Deployments
• LTE Equipment Vendor Strategies and Key Contract Wins
• LTE Frequencies in Major Mobile Markets
• Network Management Solution Providers By Functions
• Select Network Bandwidth Management Solution Providers
• Select Network Bandwidth Management Solution Providers
• Select Network Bandwidth Management Solution Providers
• Select Network Bandwidth Management Solution Providers
• Verizon's ShareEverything Mobile Pricing Scheme
• Mobile Data Usage by Size of Mobile Data Plan
• Orange UK Swapables
• Over-the-Top Message, Voice and Video Services
• Machine-to-Machine: Market Segments, Applications, and Business Models
• Importance of 4G/LTE, by Knowledge of Terms
• Importance of 4G/LTE, by Mobile Service Provider
• WiFi Use for Media Streaming, by Data Quota
• Inhibitors to Tablet Mobile Data Plan Adoption
• LTE Market Drivers and Barriers
• Forecast Methodology and Source of Assumptions
• Global LTE Subscriber Growth by Region (2010-2016)
• LTE Deployments: North America
• LTE Deployments: Western Europe
• LTE Deployments: Eastern Europe
• LTE Deployments: Asia & Pacific
• LTE Deployments: Rest of World

Driving 4G Adoption: Global Mobile Innovation published by Parks Associates in July 28, 2012. This report consists of 60 Pages and the price starts from US $ 3200.

Press Release

APAC to Overtake North America in 4G/LTE Subscriptions as Global Adoption Exceeds 50 Million Subscribers in 2012

Global Information Inc. would like to present a new market research report, "Driving 4G Adoption: Global Mobile Innovation" by Parks Associates.

The Asia & Pacific region is poised to overtake North America this year in number of 4G/LTE subscribers, thanks to large gains in South Korea and Japan, according to Parks Associates.

Parks Associates new report Driving 4G Adoption: Global Mobile Innovation finds Asia & Pacific will claim over 53% of all 4G/LTE subscribers by the end the year, helping push the total number of subscribers over 560 million globally by 2016.

"Fifteen carriers in Asia & Pacific now have live LTE services, with affordable pricing models that prompt robust subscriber growth in this region," said Harry Wang, Director, Digital Health and Mobile Product Research, Parks Associates. "Mobile operators worldwide have committed to 4G/LTE as the network technology of the future, but financial conditions, handset costs, and spectrum license availability will all influence the pace and scope of regional deployments."

Parks Associates research:

• Global 4G/LTE subscribership will increase from 9 million in 2011 to over 560 million in 2016.
• In 2016, 4G/LTE subscribers will account for only 8.8% of worldwide mobile subscriptions.
• More than 50% of U.S. broadband households have at least one smartphone.
• 61% of U.S. mobile phone users have some knowledge of the term "4G," but only 20% understand the term "LTE."
• As of June 2012, 83 carriers have launched LTE networks in 43 countries; 40 more carriers intend to deploy LTE by year end.

"Deciphering optimal mobile data pricing schemes is an important piece of operators monetization efforts, and many are already experimenting with their mobile data pricing plans," said Jennifer Kent, Research Analyst, Parks Associates. "Verizon Wireless recently introduced its ShareEverything plan, which allows users to share one data quota across multiple mobile broadband devices. Share data plans should encourage subscribers to add more mobile devices, while offering unlimited text messaging mitigates the threat of third-party messaging services like Whatsapp."

Kent added that operators must control costs through network optimization and capture new market opportunities by offering consumers compelling value-added services and expanding their presence into the M2M market.

In Driving 4G Adoption: Global Mobile Innovation, Parks Associates analysts dissect mobile operators 4G strategies in the U.S. and globally, with a focus on bandwidth management and network monetization. Using interviews with key industry players, evaluations of the market landscape and core technologies, and primary consumer data, the report explains the industrys movement towards LTE, provides visibility of current and near-term LTE deployments, analyzes key LTE monetization strategies, and forecasts global LTE subscribers through 2016.