LTE device ecosystem grew 26% in the last year

The LTE device ecosystem has expanded by 26% over the past year to reach 13,700 devices, according to the Global Mobile Suppliers’ Association (GSA).

The LTE Ecosystem report published by the industry body found that devices have been launched by 705 manufacturers, including devices supporting the FDD LTE and TD-LTE standards and the LTE-related cellular IoT standards LTE Cat-M1 and narrowband IoT.

Meanwhile the nascent 5G device ecosystem is taking shape. As of mid-March, the GSA had identified 34 announced devices – including regional variants, including 11 smartphones.

This is an improvement on the 22 5G devices identified by mobile industry consultancy Hadden Telecoms in a report issued earlier in the month

According to the GSA, devices have been announced across seven form factors – phones, hotspots, indoor customer premises equipment, outdoor customer premises equipment, modules, dongles or adapters, and USB terminals.

The industry body said it expects the global 5G device ecosystem to grow rapidly as more commercial 5G services are launched.