The launch of LTE Advanced (LTE-A) services by Korea-based telecom operators has further enhanced the leading market position of Korea-based handset vendors in their home market, leaving little room for international brands.

　　The top-three Korea-based telecom operators – SK Telecom, KT and LG Uplus – all began to offer LTE-A services in the second half of 2013, pushing Korea's handset vendors to lead other international brands to launch smartphones supporting LTE-A technology.

　　LTE-A service subscribers currently account for over 50% of total handset subscribers in Korea, according to Park Joon Su, deputy product director of LG Uplus.

　　Among the top-three telecom operators, SK Telecom accounts for 50% of total LTE-A subscribers and KT and LG Uplus share the remaining 50%, Park added.

　　Over 90% of handsets purchased by LG Uplus currently are LTE-enabled models, revealed Parks, noting that more than 80% of these LTE phones come from Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics and the remaining 20% from Pantech mostly.

　　Other handset brands, including Apple, Sony Mobile Communications, HTC, Nokia, are expected to roll out models supporting LTE-A technology soon, as the US, Japan, Hong Kong and a number of countries in Europe are expected to launch LTE-A services in 2014, according to industry sources.