The CDMA Development Group states that, as of May 2012, there are 329 operators in 121 countries offering CDMA2000 1X and/or 1xEV-DO service.[5]
The intended 4G successor to CDMA2000 was UMB (Ultra Mobile Broadband); however, in November 2008, Qualcomm announced it was ending development of the technology, favoring LTE instead.
also see this document from Alcatel Lucent that suggests CDMA as a path to LTE, notably the image on page 4 http://www3.alcatel-lucent.com/wps/DocumentStreamerServlet?LMSG_CABINET=Docs_and_Resource_Ctr&LMSG_CONTENT_FILE=White_Papers/cdma_lte_SWP.pdf
Searching Amazon for prices of unlocked LTE handsets, they weren't far from those of 3G devices. I'm sure Tecno can deliver better pricing in a couple of years. Does one stop construction of a road because cars are expensive?
Awaiting more excuses as to why LTE is impossible.