As of June 26, 2018, roaming traffic for 4G connections originating from the Asia Pacific region to other parts of the world has experienced a remarkable growth of 317% over the past year. On a global scale, the volume of inter-regional roaming for 4G connections has exceeded non-LTE data roaming traffic earlier this year, rising from 46% in 2017 to 54%, according to data provided by Syniverse.
This growth was determined through an analysis of year-on-year trends in roaming activity on Syniverse's worldwide platform. In the previous year, LTE accounted for 26% of roaming traffic from the Asia Pacific region, whereas in 2018, it constituted 43% of the total traffic.
Syniverse's examination also disclosed that the majority (57%) of roaming traffic originating from the Asia Pacific region in 2018 still relies on older network technologies like 3G. This highlights the necessity for mobile operators to prioritize the enhancement of network capabilities. Such improvements are vital before the Asia Pacific region can fully embrace global deployments of emerging technologies such as 5G, which will play a significant role in shaping the future of smart cities and the Internet of Things (IoT).
John Wick, Syniverse's General Manager, noted, "Asia Pacific is a hub of innovation for 5G, with ongoing trials. However, seamless connectivity and roaming across countries and regions at the 4G LTE level will play a crucial role in facilitating widespread adoption of 5G in this diverse region. LTE serves as the initial technological foundation that must be established before achieving the smart city and IoT capabilities enabled by 5G, with data speeds 100 times faster than today's legacy technologies."
The GSMA predicts that the Asia Pacific region will lead the global IoT sector, projecting a revenue of $386 billion by 2025. To fully realize this potential, Syniverse emphasized that the region should first establish a strong 4G connectivity base. This foundation will ensure compatibility between 5G networks and other advanced services in the future.
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