LTE network deployments in 101 firms in progress – GSA

LTE network deployments in 101 firms are in progress or planned in 41 countries, according to a report by Global mobile Suppliers Association. The number of network commitments is 71 percent higher than GSA reported in a similar survey six months ago.

 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 of this year.

Another 31 operators are engaged in various LTE pilot trials and technology tests. Taken together, it means that 132 operators are investing in LTE in 56 countries.

 LTE networks are now being deployed for commercial service or planned in Armenia, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Latvia, Libya, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, The Philippines, UAE, UK, USA, and Uzbekistan.

Governments around the world are preparing the way to ensure the availability of spectrum to support delivery of enhanced mobile broadband services for the mass market, by allocating or preparing for the release of new spectrum such as 2.6 GHz and in the digital dividend, 700 MHz, 800 MHz bands or re-farming existing spectrum such as 900 MHz, 1800 MHz or facilitating a combination of new and re-farmed bands.

 The report notes that several trials licences have been granted in many countries to allow operators to familiarise with the technology, features and performance aspects. A number of tenders for spectrum licenses have been announced or confirmed in recent weeks for the granting of spectrum suitable for LTE deployments, including in Australia, Brazil, Chile, Poland and the UK. Several auctions are scheduled for completion in the next few months. While the majority of LTE deployments today are using the FDD mode, the study confirms operator interest in the TDD mode.The recently concluded BWA spectrum auction in India has paved the way for large scale introduction of TDD LTE.