A report from the GSA (Global mobile Suppliers Association), covering both LTE FDD and LTE TDD, states that 248 operators, 60% higher than a year ago, have committed to commercial LTE network deployments or are engaged in trials, technology testing or studies. GSA now expects over 100 network launches by end of 2012.
185 firm commercial LTE network deployments, 64% higher than a year ago, are in progress or planned in 66 countries, including 35 networks now commercially launched. Another 63 operators in 21 additional countries are engaged in LTE technology trials, tests or studies.
LTE TDD is also market reality following the commercial launch of three networks last month in Saudi Arabia.
35 LTE networks are commercially launched in 21 countries: Australia, Austria, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Sweden, UAE, USA, and Uzbekistan.
LTE commercial network launches timetable:
* 2009: 2 networks launched – all FDD
* 2010: 15 networks launched – all FDD
* 2011: 18 networks launched (up to October 10, 2011) – 15 FDD, 3 TDD
Alan Hadden, President, GSA announced: “Based on GSA’s research we are confident that at least 103 LTE networks will be commercially launched by end 2012.”
The move towards deploying LTE in re-farmed spectrum, particularly in the 1800 MHz band (i.e. LTE1800) is accelerating, according to the report. Seven LTE1800 networks are now commercially launched, in Australia, Denmark, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Singapore.
In Australia all three mobile operators have confirmed they will deploy LTE1800 systems (Telstra recently commercially launched its LTE network in this band). In the European Union, where operators are investing today in LTE networks or trials in more than 90% of member countries, GSA expects many of those operators will deploy LTE in 1800 MHz spectrum as part of their network strategy.
LTE1800 Zone: www.gsacom.com/lte1800