326 Million Dual-Mode 4G Devices to be Activated by 2016

MARAVEDIS RESEARCH :

MONTREAL, Canada, May 31, 2011 - 326 Million Dual-Mode (3G + LTE) Devices will be Activated by 2016 according to Maravedis' latest research titled "Global 4G Device Forecast 2011-2016". "All LTE devices activated during 2010, including USB data cards, modems and notebooks, were single-mode," said Cintia Garza, author of the report. "However, LTE+3G smartphones have emerged during 2011 as more LTE operators begin to add LTE to their device offering, in particular smart phones whose adoption will be key to LTE uptake." In the United States, Sprint's early success with WiMAX smart phones suggests a very promising uptake for LTE smart phones.

Many other carriers around the world are also looking at introducing smart phones in their LTE device portfolio by the end of 2011, such as NTT DoCoMo (Japan), and Yota (Russia). "By 2013, more than 50% of LTE devices activated worldwide will support both FDD and TDD duplex modes, once TD-LTE deployments consolidate in China, India, Malaysia, Korea and other APAC countries," continued Garza. "On the other hand, 75% of the LTE devices will support legacy systems (2G/3G) and 9% will support WiMAX technology; these devices will mainly include smart phones, tablets and USB dongles".

Tablets are also one of the most promising devices in the 4G device market. Maravedis' report predicts tablet shipments will grow from 46 million in 2011 to nearly 150 million by 2016. Apple iOS is expected to remain the most popular tablet for the coming years, reaching 46% market share by 2016.

Additional Research Findings:

260 million dual-mode (TD LTE + FDD LTE) devices will be activated by 2016Android will account for 48.5% of the smart phone market, Windows 21% and iPhone (iOS) 16.5% by 2016.

APAC and Europe will account for the largest number of smart phones and tablets activated by 2016.

By 2016, 95% of the tablet installed base will be 3G/4G enabled.