GSA forecasts 115 DC-HSPA+ networks will be in commercial service by end 2012

July 27, 2012: Two updated reports published this month by GSA, the Global mobile Suppliers Association, confirm how HSPA systems are delivering mobile broadband to new markets and achieving higher levels of performance and efficiencies enabled by HSPA+ and DC-HSPA+ deployments.

499 operators have firmly committed to deploy HSPA systems, which is 12% higher than one year ago, in 189 countries and territories.

Every WCDMA operator has commercially launched HSPA on their networks. 472 HSPA networks, 15% higher than a year ago, are commercially launched in 183 countries.

HSPA+ is rapidly spreading. 279 operators have committed to HSPA+ network deployments, representing an increase of 45% in the past year. Mobile operators entering the market today typically launch with HSPA+ capability incorporated in their networks. 234 HSPA+ networks are commercially launched i.e. 98 more than a year ago.

Almost 50% of HSPA operators have commercially launched HSPA+ on their networks.

The rapid evolution of network capabilities to using 42 Mbps DC-HSPA+ is a strong trend, as operators invest in improvements to network performance, capacity and efficiencies to maintain and enhance user experience. 90 DC-HSPA+ networks have been commercially launched which is a 130% increase over the past year. Around one in five HSPA operators have commercially introduced the DC-HSPA+ technology. 89 DC-HSPA+ systems support a theoretical peak downlink speed of 42 Mbps, while 84 Mbps DC-HSPA+ is also market reality on one network.

GSA forecasts there will be at least 115 DC-HSPA+ networks in commercial service by end 2012.

42 UMTS900 networks have been commercially launched in 900 MHz spectrum, enabling HSPA or HSPA+ operators to significantly extend mobile broadband coverage, typically as a result of re-farming a portion of existing spectrum which had previously been used for GSM voice service.

HSPA and HSPA+ deployments status – global:

472 HSPA operators are commercially launched in 183 countries (GSA survey: July 18, 2012)
100% of WCDMA operators worldwide have also deployed HSPA
367 commercial HSPA networks (over 77%), support 7.2 Mbps (peak DL) or higher
232 HSUPA networks commercially launched in 108 countries, i.e. 49% of HSPA operators have launched HSUPA
167 HSUPA networks support up to 5.8 Mbps peak UL and another 12 networks support 11.5 Mbps peak
HSPA Evolution (HSPA+) is mainstream. 279 HSPA+ network commitments globally
234 HSPA+ networks are in commercial service in 112 countries
Almost 50% of HSPA operators have commercially launched HSPA+
Evolution to DC-HSPA+ technology is a strong trend; 90 DC-HSPA+ networks are commercially launched
Market outlook: GSA forecasts at least 115 DC-HSPA+ networks will be in commercial service by end 2012
42 commercial UMTS900 operators are launched i.e. HSPA, HSPA+ or DC-HSPA+ deployed in the 900 MHz band

Full details about all HSPA and HSPA+ network commitments, deployments, and commercial launches worldwide are contained in the following reports and are available to registered site users to download via the links on www.gsacom.com

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

Numerous charts and maps depicting the mobile broadband market, growth and trends including HSPA, HSPA+ and 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.

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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