AUSTIN, TX --(Marketwired - May 18, 2016) - In the U.S., the majority of mobile data usage is on LTE. As mobile consumers continue to use an increasing amount of mobile data, especially on video, mobile operators must increase the capacity of their LTE networks.
Today, LTE is predominantly in the 700 MHz, PCS, AWS-1 and 2.5 GHz spectrum bands in the U.S. mobile networks. However, over the next few years U.S. mobile operators are expected to start to refarm their 3G spectrum and decommission 2G networks entirely. When this happens, additional spectrum in the 850 MHz and PCS bands can be used for increased LTE capacity.
Furthermore, as another way to increase capacity, mobile operators will also start significant densification of their networks using small cells, thus readying themselves for the deployment of 5G architectures toward the end of the decade. And the operators will also start to deploy LTE in the new AWS-3 and WCS spectrum they have acquired over the last few years. This will result in a shift of LTE traffic to the high-bands.
In order to quantify the amount of mobile data traffic in each spectrum band, in its most recent market study, iGR, a market research consultancy focused on the wireless and mobile industry, has forecasted the U.S. mobile data traffic for the 2015 to 2020 period for each spectrum band used for LTE.
"In order to keep up with mobile demand, U.S. mobile operators will utilize a wider range of spectrum bands over the next five years," said Iain Gillott, president and founder of iGR. "iGR's latest market study provides the opportunity to see how the different spectrum bands will support LTE and eventually 5G."
iGR's new market study, U.S. Mobile Data Forecast by Spectrum Band, 2015 - 2020: The Impact of Densification, provides a five-year forecast for the amount of mobile data traffic in each spectrum band used for LTE, the amount of traffic in high- and low-bands, and the share of traffic in each. In addition to the forecasts, the market study discusses the factors that influence mobile data demand in the U.S. and current trends and statistics for each of the four major U.S. mobile operators.
The following key questions are addressed in the new research study:
- What are the drivers of mobile data traffic?
- What are some of the limiting factors on the amount of mobile data traffic?
- What is mobile data usage today in the U.S. and at what rate is mobile data usage expected to grow over the forecast period?
- How much mobile data traffic is used by an average mobile connection in the U.S. and at what rate is the average mobile data usage expected to grow over the forecast period?
- How much mobile data traffic is used by each quartile in the U.S.?
- How much mobile data traffic is sent over each of the spectrum bands used for LTE in the U.S.: 700 MHz, PCS, AWS-1, 2.5 GHz?
- How will the amount of traffic in each band change as mobile operators refarm 850 MHz and PCS bands for LTE?
- How will the amount of data traffic in each band change as the mobile operators deploy LTE in more AWS-1 spectrum and start to deploy AWS-3 and WCS bands?
The information in this market study will be valuable for:
- Mobile operators
- Device OEMs
- Mobile infrastructure and equipment OEMs
- Content providers and distributors
- Financial and investment analysts.
The new report can be purchased and downloaded directly from iGR's website at www.iGR-inc.com.
About iGR
iGR is a market strategy consultancy focused on the wireless and mobile communications industry. Founded by Iain Gillott, one of the wireless industry's leading analysts, in late 2000 as iGillottResearch, iGR is now in its sixteenth year of operation. iGR continuously researches emerging and existent technologies, technology industries, and consumer markets. We use our detailed research to offer a range of services to help companies improve their position in the marketplace, clearly define their future direction, and ultimately improve their bottom line.
iGR researches a range of wireless and mobile products and technologies, including: smartphones; tablets; mobile wearable devices; connected cars; mobile applications; bandwidth demand and use; small cell and het-net architectures; mobile EPC and RAN virtualization; DAS; LTE; VoLTE; IMS; NFC; GSM/GPRS/UMTS/HSPA; CDMA 1x/EV-DO; iDEN; SIP; macro-, pico- and femtocells; mobile backhaul; WiFi and WiFi offload; and SIM and UICC.
A more complete profile of the company can be found at www.igr-inc.com.
Contact Information:
Contact iGR
Iain Gillott