GSA confirms 347 LTE user devices, with smartphones and tablets leading growth

April 4, 2012: An update to the ‘Status of the LTE Ecosystem’ report published this week by the GSA (Global mobile Suppliers Association) confirms that 63 manufacturers have announced 347 LTE-enabled user devices.

Around 250 new LTE user devices have been announced over the past year.

Alan Hadden, President of the GSA, said: “The main growth trend in 2012 so far is the launch of LTE-capable smartphones and tablets. We report that the number of smartphones has increased by one third since January 2012. The number of LTE-capable tablets increased 72% in the same period.“

According to the GSA report, there are 64 LTE smartphones and 31 tablets, including frequency and carrier variants.

Research for the report considered user devices for FDD and TDD modes, form factors, operating frequencies, and the fallback technologies which are supported when customers move outside the LTE coverage areas (i.e. ability to access HSPA, HSPA+, DC-HSPA+, EV-DO, or TD-SCDMA systems).

347 LTE devices breakdown by form factor: 41 Modules 31 Tablets 13 Notebooks 2 PC Cards 1 Femtocell 64 Smartphones 131 Routers 64 DonglesNote that certain products are carrier or country specific and are not available in all markets.

217 LTE devices also operate on either HSPA, HSPA+ or 42 Mbps DC-HSPA+ networks. Within this figure, 91 LTE devices support 42 Mbps HSPA+ technology.

108 LTE devices support EV-DO networks.

The report also considered the availability of devices by frequency band and support of the likely required combinations. The report findings are summarized below for the main LTE bands: 700 MHz (US Digital Dividend, various bands) 170 devices 800 MHz (EU Digital Dividend, Band 20) 72 devices 1800 MHz (Band 3) 75 devices 2600 MHz (Band 7) 94 devices 800/1800/2600 MHz 57 devices AWS (Band 4) 72 devices

The majority of LTE user devices today support the 700 MHz band where LTE networks and services are developing fastest, especially in North America. As LTE network rollouts accelerate in other regions, particularly in Europe where operators are primarily using 2600 MHz, 1800 MHz and 800 MHz digital dividend spectrum, in many cases using all three bands, manufacturers are responding with products for these markets. For example, the number of user devices capable of operating in 2600 MHz spectrum (band 7) has increased by 44% since January 2012. The choice of LTE1800 (band 3) devices is rapidly expanding as more operators focus on the opportunities from deploying LTE systems in 1800 MHz spectrum. There are now 75 LTE1800 user devices, which is 50% higher than GSA reported in January 2012.

The range of LTE TDD devices is also expanding as operators in all regions are preparing for a wave of commercial launches of TDD systems. 53 LTE TDD capable devices are included in the 347 total figure.

LTE is the fastest developing mobile system technology ever. According to another GSA report (Evolution to LTE report – March 13, 2012), 301 operators in 95 countries are currently investing in LTE.

LTE update: GSA confirms commercial networks quadrupled in 12 months, 80 commercial LTE systems now launched

June 8, 2012: The GSA (Global mobile Suppliers Association) this week published an update to its Evolution to LTE report which confirms 327 operators in 99 countries have committed to commercial LTE network deployments or are engaged in trials, technology testing or studies. The report covers LTE FDD and LTE TDD system modes.

267 firm commercial LTE network deployments are in deployment, commercially launched, or planned in 86 countries. Another 60 operators in 13 additional countries are engaged in LTE technology trials, tests or studies.

80 LTE operators have launched commercial services. This figure includes 7 commercial LTE TDD systems which are launched in Brazil, India, Japan, Poland, Saudi Arabia and Sweden.

Alan Hadden, President of the GSA, said: “The number of commercial LTE networks has quadrupled in just over a year. Commercial LTE services are available in 38 countries. The pace of introduction of LTE is happening faster than most people predicted a year ago.”

LTE commercial network launches per year: 2009 = 2 networks launched 2010 = 15 networks launched (year-end cumulative total = 17) 2011 = 30 networks launched (year-end cumulative total = 47) 2012 to June 4th = 33 networks launched (total to date = 80) GSA end 2012 forecast = raised to 144 networks in 59 countries

GSA previously confirmed LTE as the fastest developing mobile system technology ever.

The Evolution to LTE report is researched and published by GSA and provides a concise update of the business drivers, objectives and targets for LTE – Long Term Evolution and the evolved packet system, including network operator commitments, deployments, launches, trials, the growing eco-system including device availability, spectrum requirements and developments, Voice over LTE developments, standardization activities including LTE-Advanced, and more.