The GSA (Global mobile Suppliers Association) has published an update to its Evolution to LTE report which confirms 208 operators are now investing in LTE, which is 98 operators more than in June 2010. The number of countries and territories where LTE systems are deployed or planned has increased by 32 in the same period.
This new report confirms 154 firm LTE network deployments are in progress or planned in 60 countries, including 20 networks which have commercially launched. A further 54 operators in 20 more countries are engaged in LTE technology pilot trials or tests, ahead of formal commitments to deploy networks for commercial service (these are referred to as pre-commitment trials). Taken together, it means that 208 operators in 80 countries are now investing in LTE. The report covers both LTE FDD and LTE TDD systems.
The 60 countries and territories having firm LTE network commitments are Andorra, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong S.A.R., Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jersey, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Latvia, Libya, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Monaco, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore , South Africa, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tunisia, UAE, UK, Uruguay, USA, and Uzbekistan.
LTE networks are launched in 14 countries: Austria, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Lithuania, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Sweden, USA, and Uzbekistan.
LTE is the fastest developing mobile system technology ever, and GSA has again raised its market outlook and now anticipates that at least 81 LTE networks will be in commercial service by end 2012.
The Evolution to LTE report provides a concise update of the business drivers, objectives and targets for LTE including network operator commitments and deployment/launch plans, trials, the growing eco-system including device availability, spectrum requirements and developments, Voice over LTE developments, recent industry forecasts, standardization activities including LTE-Advanced, and more.
The report notes the growing international interest and acceptance of LTE TDD and confirms numerous studies, trials and deployments underway or planned in Australia, China, India and other Asian markets, Europe, the Middle East, Russia and North America.
The strong momentum towards deploying LTE in re-farmed spectrum, particularly 1800 MHz (i.e. LTE1800) is also highlighted. GSA has established the LTE1800 Zone which can be reached via the homepage for efficient information sharing on this important market development.