51 telecoms launch LTE networks so far in 2014: GSA

As many as 51 telecom operators have launched LTE networks so far in 2014, said GSA.

The number of commercial LTE networks is expected to be more than 350 by the end of this year, said GSA.

The total number of LTE subscriptions is likely to reach 300 million from 245.4 million by March 31, 2014.

318 operators have commercially launched LTE networks and service in 111 countries.

45 percent of LTE networks or 144 telecom operators in 70 countries launched LTE networks using 1800 MHz. Over 40 percent of devices or 769 devices can operate in the 1800 MHz band.

26.4 percent of networks currently uses 2.6 GHz spectrum.

GSA said 55 commercially networks across 33 countries are on 800 MHz spectrum.

800 MHz has 467 products in the 4G market.

LTE networks growth

Alan Hadden, president of GSA, said: “Using sub 1 GHz spectrum including the 700 MHz and 800 MHz bands is fundamental for rural and wide area LTE coverage, and in many cases enhances the experience when using mobile broadband services indoors.”

1 in every 8 or 39 LTE TDD networks are commercially launched in 26 countries.

26 operators have launched LTE service using the TDD mode, and 13 operators have deployed both TDD and FDD modes together in their networks.

66 operators in 35 countries are investing in VoLTE studies, trials or deployments, including 10 operators in Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, South Korea and the USA who have commercially launched HD voice service using VoLTE.

GSA recently confirmed 92 models of smartphones (including carrier and frequency variants) support VoLTE.

LTE networks capable of supporting 150 Mbps peak downlink (for Category 4 user devices) are commercially launched in at least 36 countries.

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