Spectrum allocation is one other issue operators have to contend with. “Markets such as Australia have enough existing spectrum that can be re-farmed for LTE. But this is not the case for other markets and operators will have to wait for regulators to issue new spectrum at either 2.6Ghz or 700Mhz.”
This delay in spectrum allocation, according to McCormick, is a key reason why LTE isn’t being rolled out as fast in the Asia Pacific, compared to Europe and the US.
Singapore’s top two carriers, Starhub and SingTel, declined comment on potential problems associated with LTE rollouts and instead expressed optimism.
A SingTel spokesman said the company had embarked on regional trials in 2010 to “help SingTel and its associates and joint venture companies better understand LTE and determine the best approach and strategy for its adoption in their respective local markets”.
A Starhub spokesman said the company had completed technical trials in 2010 with an LTE rollout planned for later this year. The Starhub spokesman added the company did not expect LTE services to take off till next year.
How fast LTE could gain ground in a market may simply lie in how heavily carriers are willing to subsidize compatible devices, said Foong. “With several carriers having spent considerable sums on iPhone subsidies, carriers may be somewhat reluctant to get onboard too soon.”