Latin America accounts for a tiny proportion of the world’s LTE subscribers, but recent growth in the region has been rapid and analysts predict it will add around 180 million new LTE connections in the next five years.
There were 16 million LTE connections in the region in March 2015, an increase of 13 million over 12 months, according to figures from Ovum that were published by 4G Americas last week.
With global LTE connections reaching 635 million in the first quarter of the year, up 150% on Q1 2014, Latin America accounts for just 2.5% of the total. But the region’s 396% growth rate, albeit from a very small base, is a sign of things to come.
"Starting this year, we are in the midst of a rapid growth phase for LTE in Latin America with almost every country offering commercial LTE technology by at least two service providers," said Jose Otero, director of Latin America and the Caribbean at 4G Americas.
"Brazil, Colombia and Mexico continue to hold the lion’s share of LTE lines in the region," he added. "However, by the end of the year, there may be several countries with more than 5% market share for LTE – with accelerated LTE subscriber adoption in Chile and Peru and the potential in Argentina."
LTE connection in Latin America and the Caribbean will reach 196 million by the end of 2019, according to Ovum forecasts.
As it stands, the region has 67 commercial LTE networks in 27 countries.
It has 282 million HSPA and HSPA+ connections, up by 70 million on Q1 last year.
