4G Americas reports 100 million LTE connections worldwide

USA: 4G Americas reports that the number of LTE connections worldwide will pass 100 million this week, according to estimates by Informa Telecoms & Media, with the US and Canada capturing 57 million subscriptions of that global total. There are 172 operators in 70 countries with LTE networks and more than 250 commercial LTE networks are expected by the end of this year.

"Canada and the U.S. continue to outpace the world in LTE connections with a hefty 57 percent of all LTE connections," stated Chris Pearson, president of 4G Americas. "We are pleased to report that 20 Latin American operators have commercially deployed LTE networks and the number of connections in the region is quickly increasing."

Global
* 172 commercial LTE networks today; 250 commercial LTE networks expected by the end of 2013.
* Over 450 total commitments to LTE deployment by wireless operators to date.
* 68 million LTE connections at the end of 2012; 100 million as of May 2013, representing an increase of nearly 50 percent in five months.
* Nearly a doubling of connections forecast in 2013 to 134 million LTE connections.
* LTE connections are forecast to reach 1 billion by early 2018.

North America
* 22 commercial LTE networks deployed in Canada and US.
* 38 million LTE connections at the end of 2012; 57 million LTE connections as of May 2013 with 57 percent global market share.

Latin America
* 20 commercial LTE networks in 9 countries: Antigua & Barbuda, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Paraguay, Puerto Rico and Uruguay.
* More than 136,000 LTE connections (May 2013)
* Forecast 2 million LTE connections at the end of 2013.