In a recent LTE report, GSA (Global mobile Suppliers Association) has confirmed that 412 operators are investing in LTE technology in 125 countries across the globe. This year so far 11 commercial launches have taken place where as 98 operators commercially launched LTE service in the past 12 months. By the end of 2013 GSA expects 244 commercial LTE networks in 87 countries

In addition, 357 operators have made firm deployment commitments in 113 countries, of which 156 operators have launched commercial services in 67 countries. A further 55 operators are engaged in trials and studies in 12 additional countries.

The band 3 (1800 MHz) is the prime band for LTE network deployments as over 44% of commercial LTE networks utilize 1800 MHz compared to 37% of networks only four months ago. LTE1800 is deployed in 69 commercial networks in 43 countries. The second most popular band used in commercially launched LTE networks is band 7 (2.6 GHz) followed by band 20 (800 MHz), then band 4 (AWS).

Report further highlights that so far 14 operators have launched commercial services using LTE TDD. Most LTE TDD networks are deployed in band 38 (2.6 GHz) and band 40 (2.3 GHz).