Rollouts of LTE networks are approaching a peak, according to a new report from Infonetics Research.
"In the mobile infrastructure market, the third quarter of 2014 was almost a carbon copy of last quarter, and we are now reaching the peak of plain LTE rollouts, which are so brisk in China that they are overshadowing strong activity in Europe, the Middle East, and Russia," notes Stéphane Téral, principal analyst for mobile infrastructure and carrier economics at Infonetics Research.
Some highlights:
- Operators are currently spending around $5.6 billion per quarter on LTE, and this has prompted Infonetics to raise its 2014 forecast for the global macrocell 2G, 3G, and 4G mobile infrastructure market to $45.4 billion, up from $43 billion the prior year
- Investments initially earmarked for 2015 have shifted to 2014, reinforcing Infonetics' prediction that the LTE market will peak in 2015
- The worldwide macrocell 2G/3G/4G mobile infrastructure market totaled $11.2 billion in 3Q14, up 0.4% sequentially, and up 10% year-over-year
- Nokia Networks moved into the #1 spot for LTE revenue in 3Q14, propelled by strong performances in the U.S. and China
- China continues to push LTE through the roof, but the rest of the world is also moving fast to LTE, with 331 commercial networks launch.
http://www.infonetics.com/pr/2014/3Q14-Mobile-Infrastructure-Market-Highlights.asp
