According to Global Mobile Suppliers Association (GSA), worldwide, the number of long term evolution (LTE) networks will grow from 364 in 2014 to 460 in 2015.
As per GSA, so far, 393 operators have commercially launched LTE in 138 countries. About 107 operators commercially launched LTE service in the past year, meanwhile, another 644 operators are currently investing in LTE networks across 181 countries. Further, about 116 operators or about 30 per cent of the operators are investing in LTE-Advanced networks. At present, globally, 64 operators have already launched commercial LTE-Advanced service in 39 countries. At the end of March 2015, as many as 14 operators introduced HD voice service through voice over LTE technology in seven countries.
In terms of technology, the most widely used spectrum band for LTE network deployments continues to be 1800 MHz (3GPP band 3). At present, 45 per cent of the LTE networks are deployed in the 1800 MHz band. Over 43 per cent of LTE user terminals can operate in the 1800 MHz band. The next most popular contiguous band for LTE deployments is 2.6 GHz (band 7) and accounts for 25 per cent of LTE networks. Further, 800 MHz (band 20) is by far the most popular sub 1 GHz coverage band choice for operators providing LTE services.
As per GSA, while most operators deployed LTE networks in paired spectrum using the frequency division duplex (FDD) mode, the operators with unpaired spectrum continue to rollout networks using LTE time division duplex (LTE-TDD) technology, particularly in China. For example, globally, 54 operators, more than 1 in 8 of all LTE operators, have launched LTE service using the TDD mode in 34 countries. Band 40 (2.3 GHz) has emerged as the most widely deployed spectrum band. About 16 operators have deployed both LTE-FDD and LTE-TDD modes in their networks. Going forward, converged LTE networks with the deployment of both FDD and TDD modes is fast becoming a priority with the operators.
Further, 10 operators have commercially launched LTE using APT700 (700 MHz) band 28 spectrum. APT700 is a key coverage band for LTE with near-global market potential. GSA states that about 42 countries have committed to or recommend APT700 band 28 spectrum for LTE deployments across markets. So far, 76 APT700 (band 28) user devices comprising smartphones, tablets, customer premise equipments and Mi-Fi hotspots have been announced by operators and vendors.
