LTE Continues to Gain Momentum Globally

The Global Mobile Suppliers Association (GSA) has published new data showing that 101 LTE network deployments are in progress or in planning stages in 41 countries around the globe. Another 31 operators are engaged in various LTE pilot trials and technology tests making for a total of 132 operators in 56 countries currently investing in LTE, GigaOM reports.

The GSA predicts that 22 commercial LTE networks will be up and running by the end of this year. That number is expected to balloon to 50 by the end of 2012, according to IntoMobile. The news doesn't bode well for WiMax. Clearwire, the first 4G operator in the United States has already begun toying with the notion of switching to LTE.