The number of LTE connections doubled during 2015. The growth in global subscriptions passed one billion at the end of 2015 and the market is increasing by about 50 million a month. The Global Mobile Suppliers Association (GSA) has confirmed that LTE passed the 1 billion subscriptions milestone in the fourth quarter, adding almost 156 million connections to end 2015 with a total of 1.068 billion.
A total of 480 operators have commercially launched LTE network in 157 countries, according to GSA data announced in January. GSA forecasts there will be 550 commercially launched LTE networks by the end of 2016, with more than 1 in 3 operators investing in LTE-Advanced system deployments. Some 116 operators, nearly 1 in 4 of all LTE operators, have commercially launched LTE-Advanced service in 57 countries.
Some pricing related details on LTE growth from 4-G Reports
New LTE Pre Pay & lower priced Post Pay plans: MNOs are expanding their LTE customer base by addressing lower priced segments, with lower Post Pay price points and with Pre Pay. With new LTE launches, the trend is for the MNO to introduce LTE without a price premium.
For example, in September 2015 Irish MNO Meteor (a subsidiary of Eircom) launched its LTE service without a price premium. Orange (Spain) in October also introduced LTE as standard for its Pre Pay customers, following similar moves by Spanish rivals Vodafone & Yoigo.
Lower cost LTE price plans are being offered by more MNOs: Selected MNOs are introducing low cost LTE plans. Some examples highlighted:
- Free Mobile (France): Free Mobile offers a Euro €2 per month tariff which includes 50 MB of mobile data, unlimited SMS/MMS and 120 minutes of calls for use domestic and to 110 countries and Free WiFi.
- Zain (Bahrain): Zain Bahrain has introduced a Dangerous pre pay add on for BD 1.5 (USD 4) per week with free on-net calling, selected IDD calls, 50 minutes & 3 GB of mobile data.
- DiGi (Malaysia): DiGi Malaysia provides a smartphone tariff starting from MYR 25 (USD 6) per month with a 1 GB data allowance, free social media, unlimited calling and texting to 3 on-net numbers and free apps.
Some MNOs are introducing higher LTE data allowances: experts have identified 32 LTE plans that have a data allowance of 100 GB and over, typically provided for PC/laptop/tablet devices as a premium product.
- Telia Denmark: Telia Denmark provides a 100 GB smartphone plan for DKR 399 (USD 59) per month.
- TDC Denmark: TDC Denmark provides TDC Mobile Broadband with up to a 300 GB LTE data allowance for DKR 349 (USD 52) per month
- Zain Kuwait: Zain Kuwait provides a 500 GB, 750 GB and 1024 GB data allowance, running a promotion with double the data.
- Viva Kuwait: Viva Kuwait provides unlimited data as part of its Postpaid bundles KWD 30 (USD 100) per month and above.
More LTE growth price promotions are being introduced:
- TIM Italy: TIM Italy is offering a half price promotion for its 4G Internet with 4 GB of data – reducing the monthly fee from Euro €10 to Euro €5.
- Zain Kuwait: Zain Kuwait have introduced free internet at weekends for its Pre Pay users for an unspecified period as well as double the data.
- Vodafone Netherlands: Vodafone Netherlands have introduced a series of price reductions for its Red plans with the most expensive plan being offered at Euro 47 per month instead of the standard rate of Euro 75 per month.
More here [LTEto5G]
This article was first published here, and is reproduced with kind permission.
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