Samsung ranks 4th in global LTE equipment market
Kim Young-ki, head of Samsung Electronics' network business division, shows the firm's 5G network gear in a press conference at the tech firm's headquarters in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, July 13. / Courtesy of Samsung Electronics
By Jun Ji-hye
Samsung Electronics has captured fourth place in the global long-term evolution (LTE) networks equipment market, beating Chinese tech company ZTE.
The improved performance is meant to be a good signal for the Korean tech giant that is moving aggressively to establish a strong presence in the fifth-generation (5G) network equipment market.
According to a U.S.-based market researcher, Dell'Oro, Thursday, Samsung took an 11 percent market share in the global LTE equipment market in the second quarter this year.
Huawei took the No.1 spot with a 28.9 percent market share, while Ericsson and Nokia were ranked second and third with 27.6 percent and 25.8 percent market shares, respectively.
ZTE had been in fourth place but yielded its position to Samsung.
It marked the first time that the Korean firm's market share exceeded 10 percent.
The firm has consistently raised its market share in the LTE equipment market from 5 percent in 2017 to 6.8 percent in the first quarter this year.
The company's market share in the market for all networks including 3G has jumped as well to 9 percent from 3.9 percent last year.
Samsung Electronics has shown its confidence in continuing to expand its market share in the 5G equipment market.
“We are aiming to secure a 20 percent market share in the global network equipment market by the end of 2020,” said an official from Samsung Electronics.
On Sept. 14, SK Telecom, the nation's top mobile carrier, picked Samsung Electronics as one of the preferred bidders for its 5G network equipment along with Nokia and Ericsson ahead of the launch of the world's first commercial 5G service in March next year.
KT, the second largest mobile carrier, and LG Uplus, the smallest player, have yet to announce their 5G partners.
Samsung Electronics has also clinched a series of supply deals with U.S. mobile carriers, paving the way to expand its presence in the American market.
On Sept. 10, AT&T said Samsung Electronics, Ericsson and Nokia will supply its 5G network equipment, without disclosing the financial details or how much equipment each of the three suppliers will supply.
Samsung Electronics also signed a deal with Verizon in January to supply equipment for LTE and 5G networks. And in May, the Korean firm inked a supply deal with Sprint.