Higher than expected demand for LTE smartphones could lead to shortages until the latter part of the year. According to Digitimes, Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics and HTC have all expressed concerns about being able to meet demand. Global sales could reach as high as 70 million smartphones in 2012.
Qualcomm is shortages of its 28nm chipsets due to of insufficient production capacity. The issue also affects Qualcomm’s Snapdragon S4 chipset production.
Samsung currently accounted for 57% of LTE smartphone sales in the first quarter of 2012. It is followed by Motorola Mobility with 17% and LG with 13%. Apple, whose next iPhone is rumoured to support LTE, could be the least affected thanks to its “favored inventory status” with many suppliers.
According to the Global mobile Suppliers Association (GSA), there are 72 LTE networks currently in operation in 37 countries. This could jump to 134 networks in 57 countries by the end of the year.