As Everything Everywhere looks to be taking steps towards launching an LTE network in the UK, research group NPD has claimed the standard now accounts for 7 percent of all handsets on the US market, with iPhone 4S leading the line.

NPD reports consumers across the country are "exhibiting a strong association between LTE and 4G", with more than a quarter of consumers who purchased LTE handsets in 2011 seeking LTE technology.

Advantage Apple

Of all 4G technology, HSPA+ is currently the most popular with 22 percent of smartphone sales, thanks in no small part to it being the only 4G standard sold by both AT&T and T-Mobile.

NPD also cites the fact that HSPA+ is the only 4G technology equipped in Apple's "popular" iPhone 4S.

"HSPA+, which has combined high throughput with practical power efficiency, has been a compelling evolutionary 4G upgrade option for carriers upgrading GSM networks," said executive director of NPD's connected intelligence group, Ross Rubin.

"With all major US carriers committing to LTE as their 4G future, it is clearly the cellular network technology that will determine the baseline for the next generation of advanced smartphones."

Other popular 4G devices include HTC's Thunderbolt and EVO, the latter of which uses Sprint's LTE alternative WiMax.

[source: NPD]