LTE Footprint Growing Rapidly, North America Leads in Subscription

Operators worldwide are embracing LTE at faster rate now. According to a recent GSA report 301 operators have committed to commercial LTE network deployments, more than 50% jump in a year.

Operators worldwide are embracing LTE at faster rate now. According to a recent GSA report 301 operators have committed to commercial LTE network deployments, more than 50% jump in a year.  57 LTE operators have launched commercial services so far. 

GSA confirms that 242 firm commercial LTE network deployments are either in deployment, commercially launched, or are planned in 81 countries. Another 59 operators in 14 additional countries are engaged in LTE technology trials, tests or studies.

LTE has made its presence felt in America’s region. According 4G Americas, there are 8 commercial LTE networks in North America. In North America, the LTE market continues to grow in 4Q 2011, adding 2 million subscriptions to finish the quarter with 5.3 million subscriptions, making it by far the leading region in the world for LTE with 71 percent of global LTE subscriptions.

In addition, there are 5 commercial LTE networks in Latin America and 300,000 LTE connections are expected by the end of 2012

While LTE FDD is hugely favored across the world, TDD version of LTE is also becoming popular. GSA says that five LTE TDD networks are commercially launched – in Brazil, Japan, Poland and Saudi Arabia.