Exterior view before an Apple event in San Francisco. AP Photo/Paul Sakuma
Currently, most smartphones use the 3G network to access wireless data, but will eventually be upgraded to a 4G LTE network.
According to a report by The Times, Samsung has the third-highest number of LTE patents at 12.2 percent.
Nokia tops the list with 18.9 percent, followed by Qualcomm at 12.5 percent.
According to CBS News, the reported threat of a lawsuit came soon after Samsung and Apple just wrapped up a heated court battle over patent infringement.
Apple had sued Samsung for allegedly copying the design of its popular iPhone and iPad.
The computer giant sought 2.5 billion dollars in damages.
A nine-person federal jury in San Jose, California ruled in favour of Apple on August 24 and awarded the company with 1.05 billion dollars in damages.