PRESS RELEASE
Samsung accelerates global LTE market possibilities with world's first commercial dual-mode LTE handover devices
Seoul, Korea - Jul 31, 2013 - Samsung Electronics today announced the world's first commercial devices capable of TDD-LTE (Time-Division Duplex) and FDD-LTE (Frequency Division Duplex) seamless handover technology. Samsung will launch TDD/FDD Dual Mode LTE versions of the Samsung GALAXY S4 and Samsung GALAXY S4 mini, which will enable continuous and seamless voice and data communications even as the devices switch between two different types of LTE networks.
"Samsung continues to accelerate global LTE market deployment, addressing technical challenges faster than anyone else. With today'sTDD/FDD LTE seamless handover devices announcement, Samsung again demonstrates the company's commitment to driving better, more convenient customer experiences," said JK Shin, co-CEO and president of the IT & Mobile division of Samsung Electronics. Shin added, "The first commercially available TDD/FDD seamless handover devices will allow customers to fully enjoy the benefits of fast mobile data communications no matter where they are."
While the majority of the global LTE market is based on FDD-LTE technology, TDD-LTE, the alternative LTE technology, is expected to see increased adoption in the US, China, Australia, Middle East, Northern and Eastern Europe, and Southwest Asia, and to gain a more pronounced position in the global LTE market. Seamless handover between FDD-LTE and TDD-LTE networks is a critical feature for end-user customers and mobile operators, especially in markets where the both technologies are deployed.
As a market pioneer in LTE technology, Samsung's new support of seamless handover with the GALAXY S4 will enable even more convenient, ultra-fast mobile data communications, and provide users with smooth and seamless data communication without delays or interruptions while browsing or on calls during network handover. In addition, the seamless handover will enable a true global LTE roaming solution, enabling users to enjoy fast and rich multimedia data communication wherever they are. For mobile operators, use of both TDD-LTE and FDD-LTE frequencies can help them effectively manage data traffic and sustain quality of service. For example, mobile operators can allocate data traffic from FDD-LTE frequency to TDD-LTE frequency when FDD-LTE frequency is heavily loaded.
Samsung is the first player in the global mobile industry to provide dual-mode (TDD-LTE/FDD-LTE) smartphones.
Samsung will continue to launch TDD-LTE devices in other markets throughout third quarter.
Samsung's LTE Innovation
Samsung's innovation in the LTE market is driven by the company's determined investment in LTE technology and launching of various LTE-enabled devices.
Samsung was the world's first to showcase LTE technology in 2008, and has been leading the market expansion and technology standardization for high speed mobile data communication ever since. After launching GT-B3710 Dongle, the world's first commercial LTE device, the company went on to introduce Craft, world's first LTE mobile phone, to the US market in 2010.
In 2012, GALAXY S III, world's first device supporting VoLTE technology was introduced, and in June, GALAXY S4 LTE which enables LTE-A communication service twice as fast as the standard LTE, was launched.
Samsung is driving the popularization of the global LTE market by launching over 60 million LTE devices for over 150 mobile carriers in 50 countries across the globe.
According to market research firm Strategy Analytics, the global LTE market will increase 20% annually on average, from 270 million devices in 2013 to 680 million devices in 2017. TDD-LTE market is expected to take up 18% of the entire LTE market by 2015, as 14 mobile carriers from 10 countries across the globe provide TDD-LTE services.
※ Annual LTE Devices Market Data (Unit: million), Strategy Analytics
|
|
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
5 yr CAGR |
|
Global |
270.7 |
396.8 |
497.8 |
594.8 |
683.3 |
20% |
About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in technology, opening new possibilities for people everywhere through relentless innovation and discovery. We employ 236,000 people across 79 countries with annual sales of US$187.8 billion. To discover more, please visit www.samsung.com.
