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Nearly Half of U.S. Smartphone Users Consider 4G Very Important when Choosing a Mobile Provider
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Mobile data traffic has more than doubled in each of the last four years, and the consumer appetite for data will push worldwide 4G/LTE subscribership over 560 million by 2016, according to international research firm Parks Associates.
"Nearly 50% of U.S. smartphone users consider 4G/LTE access as very important when choosing a mobile service provider," Jennifer Kent, Parks Associates' mobile research analyst said. "Operators such as AT&T and Verizon are building consumer awareness around 4G/LTE by touting the benefits of the technology. Carriers need to capitalize by experimenting with new mobile data pricing plans and offering new LTE-supported value-added services."
A consumer survey fielded this quarter by Parks Associates finds LTE service is more important than handset selection for smartphone owners when evaluating mobile providers.
Additional Parks Associates research:
- As of June 2012, 83 carriers have launched LTE networks in 43 countries; 40 more carriers intend to deploy LTE by year end.
- Global 4G/LTE subscribership will increase from 9 million in 2011 to over 560 million in 2016.
- Verizon carried 60% of global LTE traffic on its network as of May 2012.
- AT&T deployed LTE in August 2011, and it is currently live in 51 markets covering 74 million POPs.
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