Global 4G/LTE subscribership is expected to skyrocket from 9 million last year to more than 560 million in 2016, according to a new report from Parks Associates.

Still, the technology research firm estimates that in 2016, just 8.8 percent of worldwide mobile subscriptions will be for 4G/LTE services. As of last month, a total of 83 carriers had launched LTE networks in 43 countries. An additional 40 carriers are expected to deploy LTE by the end of the year.

Also, the Asia-Pacific region is positioned to overtake North America this year in the number of 4G/LTE subscribers, according to the report. The company estimates that the Asia-Pacific region will claim more than 53 percent of all 4G LTE subscribers by the end of the year.

Right now, 15 carriers in the Asia-Pacific region offer LTE services, Harry Wang, director of digital health and mobile product research at Parks Associates, said in a statement. Affordable LTE pricing has lead to "robust subscriber growth" in the region, namely in South Korea and Japan.

"Mobile operators worldwide have committed to 4G/LTE as the network technology of the future, but financial conditions, handset costs, and spectrum license availability will all influence the pace and scope of regional deployments," he added.

The report also noted confusion about the terms 4G and LTE. Currently, 61 percent of U.S. mobile phone users have some knowledge of the term 4G, but just 20 percent understand the term LTE.

From the article, "Global 4G LTE Usage Expected to Skyrocket", by Angela Moscaritolo. 

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