LTE update: GSA confirms commercial networks quadrupled in 12 months, 80 commercial LTE systems now launched

June 8, 2012: The GSA (Global mobile Suppliers Association) this week published an update to its Evolution to LTE report which confirms 327 operators in 99 countries have committed to commercial LTE network deployments or are engaged in trials, technology testing or studies. The report covers LTE FDD and LTE TDD system modes.

267 firm commercial LTE network deployments are in deployment, commercially launched, or planned in 86 countries. Another 60 operators in 13 additional countries are engaged in LTE technology trials, tests or studies.

80 LTE operators have launched commercial services. This figure includes 7 commercial LTE TDD systems which are launched in Brazil, India, Japan, Poland, Saudi Arabia and Sweden.

Alan Hadden, President of the GSA, said: “The number of commercial LTE networks has quadrupled in just over a year. Commercial LTE services are available in 38 countries. The pace of introduction of LTE is happening faster than most people predicted a year ago.”

LTE commercial network launches per year:

2009 = 2 networks launched
2010 = 15 networks launched (year-end cumulative total = 17)
2011 = 30 networks launched (year-end cumulative total = 47)
2012 to June 4th = 33 networks launched (total to date = 80)
GSA end 2012 forecast = raised to 144 networks in 59 countries

GSA previously confirmed LTE as the fastest developing mobile system technology ever.

The Evolution to LTE report is researched and published by GSA and provides a concise update of the business drivers, objectives and targets for LTE – Long Term Evolution and the evolved packet system, including network operator commitments, deployments, launches, trials, the growing eco-system including device availability, spectrum requirements and developments, Voice over LTE developments, standardization activities including LTE-Advanced, and more.

The Evolution to LTE report is available as a free download to registered site users at www.gsacom.com/gsm_3g/info_papers

Registration page to download this and other reports, papers, charts, etc. www.gsacom.com/php/register_form

An overview slide pack is also available: Global LTE Market Update (GSA presentation, LTE Forum 2012, Istanbul) via the link on www.gsacom.com

Numerous charts and maps depicting the mobile broadband market, growth and trends including LTE are available at www.gsacom.com/news/statistics

About GSA

GSA (Global mobile Suppliers Association) represents leading GSM, 3G/WCDMA-HSPA and LTE suppliers, delivering trusted own-researched surveys, reports, facts, stats, objective analysis and information confirming and explaining mobile communications technology and market developments, trends, evolution and opportunities.

GSA website: www.gsacom.com

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LTE1800 Zone: www.gsacom.com/lte1800

GSA LinkedIN group: www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=2313721

LTE1800 LinkedIN Group: www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=3129390

LTE TDD LinkedIN Group: www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=3978061

LTE User Devices LinkedIN Group: www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=4146472

GSA member organizations: Aeroflex • BelAir Networks • Bytemobile • Ericsson • Huawei • inCode • mimoOn • Nokia • Nokia Siemens Networks • Qualcomm • Renesas Mobile • Sony Ericsson • ST-Ericsson • Talking Eye • Telcordia Technologies