LTE-based broadband worth $70bn by 2014

Juniper Research has found that revenues from LTE mobile broadband subscribers will exceed $70 billion globally by 2014, creating a new connected era for devices such as portable games consoles and digital cameras, with vendors already eyeing the prospects.

Put another way, LTE will bridge the gap between the mobile and consumer electronics worlds.

Nevertheless, the business case remains tricky: LTE will offer broadband speeds of 100Mbps or more, 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 and keep prices sufficiently low to attract and keep subscribers.

Juniper also reckons:

• LTE's main markets will be North America, Western Europe, the Far East and China, which together will account for 90% of the market by 2014;
  
• mobile commerce and payments, the mobile web and the need for economic growth will drive mobile broadband;
  
• the recession could have a short term impact, but LTE's longer term prospects should not be adversely affected.