The International Communications Market 2010
Most comparator countries have plans for the deployment of 4G mobile services
A flurry of launches of 4G network services is expected over the next couple of years as spectrum becomes available. The 800MHz 'digital dividend' band (which will become available in most countries between 2010 and 2013 following the switchover to digital TV) is viewed as particularly important because of the high level of coverage it can potentially provide.
The chart below shows the LTE deployment plans from the largest operators in a selection of comparator countries. The availability of enabled devices and infrastructure solutions at economically viable prices remains critical to roll-out and take-up of LTE around the world; for example, the Polish regulator UKE delayed its tender of 2.6GHz frequencies for LTE until 2011 after receiving requests from operators to delay, since they believed that LTE was not ready to be launched commercially. Different national contexts will also determine the timing and pattern of deployment.
Chart
