Report: Spectrum fragmentation will result in costlier LTE smartphones

The plethora of spectrum bands used for LTE (Long-Term Evolution) will result in more expensive devices, and also make the ability to roam globally using the technology less likely, according to industry organization GSM Association's research arm Wireless Intelligence.

Wireless Intelligence predicts there will be 38 different spectrum frequency combinations used in LTE deployments by 2015, thanks to ongoing spectrum auctions, license renewals and reallocation initiatives across a wide range of frequency bands. That fragmentation will have several repercussions, according to Joss Gillet, senior analyst at Wireless Intelligence and author of the report. The number of combinations means economies of scale won't be as good and prices won't come down as much as they could if fewer spectrum bands were used as volumes increase, Gillet said.