4G Services Global Market Report 2024

The 4G services market size has declined steeply in recent years. It will decline from $585 billion in 2023 to $540 billion in 2024 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -7.7%. The decline in the historic period can be attributed to high initial investment, energy consumption, environmental concerns, supply chain disruptions.

The 4G services market size is expected to see steep decline in the next few years. It will decline to $438.3 billion in 2028 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -5.1%. The decline in the forecast period can be attributed to saturation of 4g coverage, stringent regulatory, shift in consumer preferences, vast competition. Major trends in the forecast period include enterprise solutions, 5G preparations, improved roaming services, content streaming optimization, security enhancements.

The surge in demand for high-speed internet connectivity is propelling the growth of the 4G services market. This demand has witnessed a substantial increase in recent years, driven by the rising use of smart devices. The proliferation of social media, online content activities, voice search/commands, smart home devices, gaming, and e-commerce has led to an increased need for high-speed internet connectivity. Eurostat reported in August 2022 that high-speed internet coverage for EU households reached 70.2% in 2021, up from 59.8% in 2020. The escalating online activities are fueling the requirement for high-speed connectivity, thereby augmenting the potential of the 4G services market.

The growing number of smartphone users is anticipated to drive the expansion of the 4G services market in the foreseeable future. Smartphones, combining mobile phone functionalities with handheld computer capabilities, rely on high-speed internet for applications such as social media, video streaming, and online transactions. Uswitch Limited reported in February 2023 that the UK saw a 3.8% increase in mobile connections to 71.8 million in 2022 compared to 2021. With the UK population expected to reach 68.3 million by 2025, approximately 95% (around 65 million individuals) are projected to own smartphones. Consequently, the increasing smartphone user base is a key factor propelling the growth of the 4G services market.

A significant trend in the 4G services market is the emergence of machine-to-machine (M2M) and IoT infrastructure. Alternate telecommunications networks are established primarily to support M2M/IoT, offering low-cost wireless M2M with faster data rates and affordable equipment for low-bandwidth data transmission. Initiatives by Weightless (U.S.) SIG, SigFox (Fr.), and others provide M2M/IoT solutions that integrate coverage, battery life, cost module, and operational simplicity, claiming to significantly enhance established cellular networks. Sierra Wireless sees 4G/LTE as the preferred technology for M2M deployments, emphasizing the role of cellular connectivity in IoT. Sierra Wireless has collaborated with hardware vendors and network carriers on LTE-M (LTE for M2M), providing low power consumption, easy deployment, interoperability, good security, mobility, low overall cost, and excellent coverage.

Major players in the 4G services market are innovating by developing new products such as payment devices to gain a competitive edge. Payment devices, electronic tools facilitating financial transactions, were introduced by Paytm in August 2023. Paytm launched two 4G-enabled payment devices, Paytm Pocket Soundbox and Paytm Music Soundbox. The Paytm Pocket Soundbox, a portable device, delivers instant audio payment alerts for on-the-move merchants. The Paytm Music Soundbox serves as both a speaker for payment notifications and a Bluetooth-enabled music playback device. These 'Made in India' devices, with extended battery life and 4G connectivity, aim to meet the evolving needs of mobile merchants, including cab drivers, electricians, and delivery agents. This product introduction underscores Paytm's commitment to innovation and technological leadership in in-store payments.

In March 2021, Verizon Communications Inc., a U.S.-based telecommunications company, acquired Bluegrass Wireless LLC for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition expanded Verizon's presence in the Kentucky market, incorporating approximately 210,000 customers and enhancing its network capabilities in rural service areas. The move reinforces Verizon's dedication to providing a superior customer experience and performance. Bluegrass Wireless LLC, the acquired company, is a U.S.-based telecommunications provider offering wired and wireless services.

Major companies operating in the 4g services market report are Apple Inc., Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., Verizon Wireless, China Mobile Limited, AT&T Mobility LLC, Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd., Lenovo Group Ltd., China Telecom Corporation Limited, Vodafone Group PLC, Cisco Systems Inc., China Unicom (Hong Kong) Limited, KDDI Corp., Orange S.A., Telefónica S.A., Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson, KT Corporation, ZTE Corporation, Bharti Airtel Limited, Telstra Corporation Limited, S.K. Telecom Co. Ltd., Nokia Networks, Alcatel-Lucent SA, Motorola Mobility LLC, Telenor ASA, NTT DoCoMo Inc., T-Mobile International AG & Co. KG, MetroPCS Communications Inc., U.S. Cellular, Sprint Nextel Corporation.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the 4G market in 2023. The regions covered in the 4g services market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the 4g services market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Italy, Spain, Canada.

The primary technologies associated with 4G services include LTE-FDD (frequency division duplex), LTE-TDD (time division duplex), LTE-Advanced, Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), and High Speed Packet Access (HSPA+). LTE-FDD involves separate downlink and uplink transmission in adequately distinct frequency bands, while TDD features downlink and uplink transmission in non-overlapping time slots. Connection plans for 4G services include pre-paid, post-paid, and broadband options, catering to a diverse range of users in the retail, corporate, government, or public sector realms. These end users encompass various entities, such as retail businesses, corporate entities, and government or public sector organizations.

The 4G services market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides 4G services market statistics, including 4G services industry, global 4G services market size, regional shares, competitors with a 4G services market share, detailed 4G services market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the 4G services industry. This 4G services market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

The 4G services market consists of sales of wireless MAN-advanced, UMB, iBurst, and MBWA (IEEE 802.20) system, and Flash-OFDM. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. Only goods and services traded between entities or sold to end consumers are included.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.