The GSA (Global mobile Suppliers Association) has published an update to its Evolution to LTE report, confirming 49 LTE operators have now launched commercial services.

285 operators, over 30% higher than 6 months ago, have committed to commercial LTE network deployments or are engaged in trials, technology testing or studies. The GSA report covers LTE FDD and LTE TDD system modes.

The GSA report confirms 226 firm commercial LTE network deployments, 36% higher than 6 months ago, are in progress or planned in 76 countries, including 49 networks which are now launched, and another 59 operators in 17 additional countries are engaged in LTE technology trials, tests or studies.

49 LTE networks, which is more than double the number 6 months ago, have launched commercial services in 29 countries: Armenia, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belarus, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, Japan, Kuwait, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Puerto Rico, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Sweden, UAE, Uruguay, USA, and Uzbekistan.

Alan Hadden, President of the GSA, said, "Operators around the world in both mature and emerging economies strengthened their commitments and investments in LTE technology in 2011. The number of commercial networks more than doubled as operators obtained new spectrum, and many were also able to re-farm existing spectrum (particularly in the 1800 MHz band) for LTE deployments."

LTE commercial network launches per year:

2009 = 2 networks launched
2010 = 15 networks launched
2011 = 29 networks launched
2012 = 3 networks launched (to January 3)

GSA forecast for end 2012 = 119 commercial LTE networks in over 50 countries.

Source: .Cellular-news