GSA has confirmed that 96 operators have launched commercial LTE services in 46 countries so far. According to GSA, 347 telecoms operators in 104 countries are committed to commercial LTE network deployments or are engaged in trials, technology testing or studies. 68 operators have launched commercial LTE services in the past 12 months.

GSA adds that 292 operators have made firm commitments to deploy commercial LTE networks in 93 countries. The number of operators committed to LTE network deployments has increased by 23% in the past year. A further 55 operators in 11 more countries are in a pre-commitment stage, engaged for example in LTE technology trials, tests or studies. GSA forecasts there will be 152 commercial LTE networks operating in 65 countries by December 31, 2012.

However in a separate report, 4G Americas announced that 100 operators have now launched commercial LTE services in 49 countries, 67 of which were launched in the past 12 months. It included the most recent launch of LTE by regional network operator C-Spire Wireless in the U.S. According Informa Telecoms & Media, 133 commercial LTE networks are expected by the end of 2012 and over 440 total commitments to LTE by network operators to date. Total number of LTE connections has reached 27.7 million at the end of second quarter 2012.

According to 4G Americas, in North America, 16 LTE commercial networks are deployed in Canada and U.S with 15.4 million LTE connections, representing 56 percent of global LTE connections at the end of second quarter 2012. In Latin America, 7 LTE commercial networks have been deployed in Brazil, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Uruguay.

Both reports have slight differences on numbers but overall LTE deployment progress had been impressive so far and trend is expected build up.