LTE gathers momentum: 110 networks planned

Stuart Corner
Tuesday, 08 June 2010 14:34

Business IT - Technology

The Global mobile Suppliers Association (GSA) has published an update to its Evolution to LTE report showing 110 operators in 48 countries investing in LTE networks.

According to the GSA, 80 operators have made firm commitments to deploy LTE networks in 33 countries, up from 64 network commitments two months ago).

"LTE networks are now being installed or planned for commercial service in Armenia, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong SAR, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Latvia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, The Philippines, Portugal, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden, Taiwan, UAE, USA, and Uzbekistan," it says.

GSA anticipates that up to 22 LTE networks will be in service by end 2010, and at least 45 by end 2012. TeliaSonera launched the first commercial LTE networks in December 2009 in Norway and Sweden. There are also 30 pre-commitment pilot LTE networks, technology trials and studies in 15 more countries.

The Evolution to LTE report (available free) summarises the status of both FDD and TDD versions of LTE. A large-scale demonstration network is showcasing TD-LTE at the World Expo in Shanghai, and several user devices are launched or planned.

GSA could not resist taking a swipe at WiMAX noting that: "A leading WiMAX operator [Yota in Russia] has also recently announced the company has decided to shift to LTE."