Predictions for 2016: LTE-A, LTE-U, 5G and IoT

As RCR Wireless News prepared for its 2016 Analyst Predictions Day, the editorial team met with analyst Roger Entner of Recon Analytics and Chris Pearson of 4G Americas to hear their forecasts for the year ahead. The conversation was part of RCR Wireless News’ 2016 predictions webinar, which also included perspective from InterDigital and Sonus.
Below are some of the key takeaways related to LTE-Advanced, smartphone sales, LTE-Unlicensed, “5G” and the “Internet of Things.”
Smartphone sales
Analyst Roger Entner of Recon Analytics thinks smartphone sales could decline for the first time in history next year. Entner said Americans are holding onto their existing phones for longer, and he sees the average device replacement cycle creeping up to 28 months next year, from 26.8 months in 2015.