LTE MARKET ANALYSIS

In telecommunications, long-term evolution is a standard for wireless broadband communication for mobile devices and data terminals. LTE connection is used for high-speed data on mobile phones and data terminals. Demand for mobile data and broadband services is growing at a fast pace, fuelled by an increase in smartphones and consumer applications. Various technologies under LTE include LTE–FDD, TD-LTE, and LTE Advanced. Components of LTE comprise LTE infrastructure, chipsets, terminal equipment (module, phone, router, tablet and USB modem), network services, and LTE testing equipment.

The global LTE Market was accounted for US$ 610.7 Mn in terms of value in 2019 and is expected to grow at CAGR of 78.6% for the period 2020-2027.

Market Dynamics- Drivers

1. Increasing need for higher data rates and greater spectral efficiency is expected to drive growth of the global LTE market during the forecast period

There is a massive demand for high-speed wireless networks, owing to a significant rise in global bandwidth consumption. The need for online communications has gained momentum across all demographics and human activity areas with blogs, texting, podcasts, instant messaging, personal networking sites, etc. LTE is an IP data network that offers enhancements to existing mobile technologies and enables operators the capacity and speed to handle a rapid increase in data traffic. LTE provides higher data rates as compared to competing technologies by using radio waves in the same bandwidth. LTE can be used for wireless internet access, access to rich content, and multimedia applications such as videos, movies, e-learning, downloads of large files, and HD-multimedia content at higher uplink and downlink speeds. Therefore, these factors are expected to drive growth of the global LTE market during the forecast period.

2. Massive adoption of LTE by operators in the Asia Pacific is expected to propel the global LTE market growth over the forecast period

Many operators in Asia Pacific are making massive investments in network infrastructure. Emergence of low-cost headsets manufactured in China has led to increase in mobile data consumption in the region. This, in turn, has increased the demand for LTE networks in Asia Pacific. For instance, in 2010, CSL Ltd. introduced LTE in Hong Kong and Japan. The company now plans to cover 70% of the Japanese population by 2015. With China Mobile’s planned large-scale launch in China and SoftBank in Japan, Bharti Airtel and Reliance Communications in India launching their networks, Asia Pacific is a driver for huge infrastructure spending by network operators. Hence, these factors are expected to propel the global LTE market growth in the near future.

Statistics:

Asia Pacific held dominant position in the global LTE market in 2019, accounting for 40.0% share in terms of value, followed by North America and Europe respectively

Figure 1: Global LTE Market Share (%) in terms of Value, By Region, 2019

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LTE Market - Impact of Coronavirus (Covid-19) Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic is expected to drive the LTE market across the globe in year 2020-2021 owing to the increase in the demand of LTE connections. There are several countries such as India and Spain who have imposed lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Owing to this, companies are conducting meetings on online platforms and also increased spending on IT infrastructure due to government rules and regulations. For instance, In July 2020, Department of Communications of India ordered IT companies to extend work from home policy for their employees till 31^st December 2020. The employees require high speed internet connectivity to attend online meetings and to work on the online platforms. Owing to mentioned factors, the COVID-19 pandemic is expected to drive the LTE market during the year 2020-2021.

Market Dynamics- Restraints

1. Issues regarding compatibility are expected to restrain growth of the global LTE market during the forecast period

The wireless industry is focused on ensuring compatibility between various standards and devices. However, the complete interoperability is yet to be achieved. Users need to take LTE-enabled phones from one carrier to another and get the same experience. The arrival of 4G LTE was supposed to unite the industry, joining factions that spent years in their respective technology camps such as CDMA and GSM networks. Moreover, spectrum fragmentation has occurred due to carriers having built their networks using incompatible spectrum frequencies. Therefore, these factors are expected to restrain growth of the global LTE market during the forecast period.

2. Undeveloped roaming on LTE networks is expected to hinder the global LTE market growth over the forecast period

As the development of smart devices continues, the demand for any time and anywhere access to content, services, and applications is increasing. Mobile technology has been evolving to keep up with expectations, in order to sustain this increasing demand for data. Although roaming is relatively common in 2G and 3G services, 4G LTE is still in the early stage of development since operators are focused on building their LTE networks before getting on roaming transactions. Therefore, these factors are expected to hinder the global LTE market growth in the near future.

Market Opportunity

1. Convergence of IT and telecom-media, LTE, and cloud can present lucrative growth opportunities in the global LTE market

Emergence of smartphones has led to evolution of networks from being voice-centric to data-centric delivering pervasive connectivity. Central to this convergence trend are cloud and LTE technologies, which have been maturing in tandem. Mobile operators seek to direct the conversion and obtain the benefit of innovation in telecom and IT domains in order to improve their services. More specifically, placing storage and computing resources and its convergence with mobile solutions to enable advanced end-user services is a trend to watch out for in the future.

2. Emergence of connected devices and Internet of Things (IoT) can provide major business opportunities in the global LTE market

The global sophisticated connected device market is expanding rapidly, which in turn, is expected to boost growth of LTE deployments. For instance, connected device users can be automatically taken to a web portal or landing page that can be personalized according to user requirements. Furthermore, the Internet of Things (IoT) or the machine-to-machine (M2M) sector covers a wide range of telematics and telemetry applications and services such as tracking vehicles, finding lost items, pets, and wandering Alzheimer’s patients, smart grids, pay-as-you-drive systems, and subprime loans market.

Figure 2: Global LTE Market Value (US$ Mn), 2017 - 2027

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The global LTE market was valued at US$ 610.7 Mn in 2019 and is forecast to reach a value of US$ 63,225.1 Mn by 2027 at a CAGR of 78.6% between 2020 and 2027.

Market Trends

1. Research and development activities among market players

Major companies are focused research and development activities, in order to enhance the market presence. For instance, in May 2013, AT&T Inc. launched AT&T Beam, a 4G LTE USB modem with a built-in LCD screen manufactured by Sierra Wireless. Furthermore, in December 2012, China Mobile Hong Kong launched a converged network of TD-LTE and LTE-FDD in Hong Kong.

2. Agreements, partnerships, and collaborations among market players

Major companies are focused on collaborations and partnerships, in order to gain a competitive edge in the market. For instance, in September 2013, T-Mobile US Inc. partnered with NTT DoCoMo USA to strengthen the latter’s network service for the Japanese expatriates in the U.S. In October 2013, Sprint Corporation entered into an agreement with Rogers Communications Inc. to provide a comprehensive in-car telematics and infotainment solution, Sprint Velocity, in Canada. Manufacturers using Sprint Velocity would be able to leverage Rogers Communications Inc.’s wireless networks for connected vehicles.

Value Chain Analysis

Value chain in the LTE industry comprises suppliers, OEMs, network equipment vendors, network infrastructure integrators, service providers (carriers), chipset vendors, user equipment manufacturers, software/application providers and end-users (customers). Suppliers provide semiconductor parts, components, mechanical parts, and machinery needed by OEMs and chipset vendors. OEMs and network equipment vendors are often integrated in the industry. Network equipment manufacturers provide network equipment and software to mobile operators and application/service providers. Telecom companies and service providers need to maintain secure, high quality network infrastructure and interoperable communication and services.

Competitive Section

Major companies operating in the global LTE market are AT&T Inc., Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd., Verizon Wireless, Nokia Solutions and Networks B.V., Sprint Corporation, Alcatel-Lucent, T-Mobile US Inc., LM Ericsson, China Mobile Ltd., and Bharti Airtel Ltd.

Key Developments

1. Major companies are focused on product launches, in order to enhance the product portfolio. For instance, in May 2017, AT&T Inc. introduced LTE-M network to enable a new generation of Internet of Things (IoT) devices and applications.
2. Major market players are involved in product development, in order to gain a competitive edge in the market. For instance, in February 2020, Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. launched new 5G products and solutions.