GSA raises forecast for LTE networks
October 13, 2011: The GSA (Global mobile Suppliers Association) has published an update to its Evolution to LTE report, highlighting accelerating deployments of LTE networks. The GSA report covers both LTE FDD and LTE TDD system modes. 248 operators, 60% higher than a year ago, have committed to commercial LTE network deployments or are engaged in trials, technology testing or studies. GSA now expects over 100 network launches by end of 2012.
185 firm commercial LTE network deployments, 64% higher than a year ago, are in progress or planned in 66 countries, including 35 networks now commercially launched. Another 63 operators in 21 additional countries are engaged in LTE technology trials, tests or studies.
LTE TDD is also market reality following the commercial launch of three networks last month in Saudi Arabia.
35 LTE networks are commercially launched in 21 countries: Australia, Austria, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Sweden, UAE, USA, and Uzbekistan.
LTE commercial network launches timetable:
* 2009: 2 networks launched – all FDD
* 2010: 15 networks launched – all FDD
* 2011: 18 networks launched (up to October 10, 2011) – 15 FDD, 3 TDD
Alan Hadden, President, GSA announced: “Based on GSA’s research we are confident that at least 103 LTE networks will be commercially launched by end 2012.”
The move towards deploying LTE in re-farmed spectrum, particularly in the 1800 MHz band (i.e. LTE1800) is accelerating, according to the report. Seven LTE1800 networks are now commercially launched, in Australia, Denmark, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Singapore. In Australia all three mobile operators have confirmed they will deploy LTE1800 systems (Telstra recently commercially launched its LTE network in this band). In the European Union, where operators are investing today in LTE networks or trials in more than 90% of member countries, GSA expects many of those operators will deploy LTE in 1800 MHz spectrum as part of their network strategy.
LTE1800 Zone: www.gsacom.com/lte1800
The Evolution to LTE report (October 12, 2011) is available as a free download to registered site users at www.gsacom.com/gsm_3g/info_papers
Registration to download reports, papers, charts, etc. from the GSA website only takes a minute at www.gsacom.com/php/register_form.php4
Numerous charts and maps depicting the mobile broadband market, growth and trends including LTE are available at www.gsacom.com/news/statistics.php4
GSA website: www.gsacom.com
News/updates RSS Feed: www.gsacom.com/rss/gsanews.php4
GSA LinkedIN group: www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=2313721
LTE1800 LinkedIN Group: www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=3129390
LTE TDD LinkedIN Group: www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=3978061
Twitter: www.twitter.com/gsacom
Facebook page: www.facebook.com/pages/Global-mobile-Suppliers-Association-GSA/12346277101255
GSA member organizations: Aeroflex • AnyDATA Inc • Avvasi • Bytemobile • Ericsson • Huawei • inCode • mimoOn • Nokia • Nokia Siemens Networks • Qualcomm • Renesas Mobile • Sony Ericsson • SpiderCloud Wireless • ST-NXP Wireless • Talking Eye • Telcordia Technologies • Velocent Systems
