List of Carriers Planning LTE Deployment Tops 100

There are now 101 firm LTE network deployments in progress or planned in 41 countries, according to the Global mobile Suppliers Association (GSA). This figure includes three LTE systems which have launched commercial service – in Sweden, Norway, and Uzbekistan. GSA anticipates up to 22 LTE networks will be in commercial service by end 2010. The report provides an update on LTE activities in each country.

Another 31 operators are engaged in various LTE pilot trials and technology tests (these are referred to as pre-commitment trials). Taken together, it means that 132 operators are now investing in LTE in 56 countries.

Alan Hadden, President, GSA said: “Our latest Evolution to LTE report shows how the pace towards LTE has quickened, which is easy to see from the increasing numbers of operator trials and announcements, and positive actions by several regulatory bodies around the world”.

The updated GSA report notes that while the majority of LTE deployments today are using the FDD mode, there is significant operator interest in the TDD mode.

LTE FDD and LTE TDD are complementary technologies and standardized by 3GPP. A number of key technology milestones have been demonstrated in recent weeks which confirm how the LTE TDD system is maturing towards commercialization.

The GSA report is online.
http://www.gsacom.com