The firm estimates that more than 40 percent of devices will operate in that part of the spectrum. Most mobile operators prefer the lower bands for LTE as these bands provide better range and indoor reception than higher frequency bands.

Once operators establish LTE coverage, they will add frequency duplex and time duplex capacity at the higher frequencies, in particular at 2.3- and 2.6-GHz, according to market researcher Christopher Taylor. He said that Verizon and AT&T Mobility will be among the first to use the 700-MHz bands for LTE.