Report: LTE public safety investment skyrockets

The research, which was carried out by SNS, also suggests that over the next three years, the market is likely to increase by a compound annual growth rate of around 45 per cent. By 2020, up to 3.8 million LTE devices will be shipped for use by public safety sector organisations.

Other findings include that at present, more than 45 per cent of all public safety LTE operates using spectrum in the 700 MHz range, primarily bands 14 and 28. This includes in-service, planned, pilot, and demo networks.

Speaking of the findings, a spokesperson for SNS Research said: “Until recently, LTE has predominantly been considered a supplementary mobile broadband technology in the public safety sector. However, with the standardisation of capabilities such as mission-critical PTT, [the technology] is increasingly being viewed as an all-inclusive critical communications platform.”

The spokesperson continued: “A number of dedicated public safety LTE networks are already operational across the globe, ranging from nationwide systems in the oil-rich Gulf Cooperation Council region, to citywide networks in Spain, China, Pakistan, Laos and Kenya.