LTE to revolutionise mobile broadband

 The market analyst bullishly predicts that the recession will not in the longer term adversely affect LTE based mobile broadband, which could offer bandwidth up to 100 Mbps at commercial launch. Juniper calculates that LTE mobile broadband will generate globally $70 billion worth of revenues within the first five years of deployment.

Key drivers for the rapid growth, says Juniper, will be mobile commerce and payments, the mobile web and the need to return to economic growth. Juniper estimates that LTE’s main markets will be the developed nations of North America, Western Europe, the Far East and China, which together will likely account for 90% of the market by 2014. 

Furthermore, Juniper Research suggests that what it calls the new “exciting” technology will also bridge the gap between the mobile and consumer electronics, creating a new connected era for devices such as portable games consoles and digital cameras.

Yet on a more realistic note, Juniper warns that a number of key issues need to be addressed before this new dawn arrives. Commented Juniper researcher Howard Wilcox, “LTE will offer broadband speeds of up to 100 Mbps or more: this is at least five times faster than the best mobile broadband now and around 20 times faster than most people experience via fixed DSL. The challenge for mobile operators is how to make profits yet keep prices attractive enough for subscribers to sign up. It’s all about the business case.”