There are 194 mobile operators who have launched commercial 4G LTE networks in 75 countries, to date.
According to the new “Evolution to LTE” report by the Global Mobile Suppliers Association (GSA), LTE is the fastest developing mobile system technology ever, with 107 4G LTE networks launching commercial services in the last year.
The number of countries offering commercial 4G LTE services also went up by 70 percent in the last year.
There are 443 operators in 130 countries now making investments into 4G LTE, which includes 391 firm network commitments (i.e. networks that have been launched, or are in the process of being deployed or planned) as well as 52 network carriers who are currently engaged in LTE technology trials, tests or studies.
When it comes to the variations of LTE, TDD is the preferred technology choice by operators who have unpaired spectrum.
Out of the 194 live commercial LTE networks, 18 are LTE-TDD systems, 50 percent of which have been deployed within combined LTE FDD and TDD networks, which the GSA says is a growing trend.
To date, 200 user devices have been announced which now support the LTE-TDD mode.
“LTE is an industry success. We have raised our market outlook in view of the quickening pace of commitments and deployments. GSA forecasts there will be 260 commercially launched networks in 93 countries by end 2013,” said Alan Hadden, President of the GSA.