Conclusions from Case Studies

Abstract

Chapter 8 serves to summarise many of the lessons to be culled from the case studies in previous chapters. Initially, two specific issues are addressed in detail: firstly, the financial data are summarised so that comparisons can be made and, secondly, the implications for equipment vendors are considered. It is of interest that auctions have been used almost universally to assign new spectrum, so comparisons are easier to make than in the case of 3G, but at the same time many auctions have involved multiple spectrum bands which was not the case for 3G. The chapter then moves on to more general matters, taking account of the interplay between technology, finance and operators. At this stage, conclusions must be a little tentative, but it seems unlikely that they will need to be significantly revised. As of the time of writing, the 100 million subscription mark for LTE had been crossed and subscriber growth is extremely rapid. Clearly, the need for superfast connectivity is a massive driving force behind the rapid adoption of new technology and it will not be long before LTE-Advanced becomes established in the countries that lead the technological advance.