As of now 80 operators have made firm commitments to deploy LTE networks in 33 countries according to a recent GSA report. Also Up to 22 LTE networks are expected to be in service by end 2010 and at least 45 are expected to be in service by end 2012. So the obvious question - Who are the vendors ?

Based on GSA data no one can claim more than 80, that's sure. Lets have a look, what vendors say about their LTE portfolio (in alphabetical order)

Alcatel-Lucent

Alcatel-Lucent’s end-to-end LTE network solution includes eNodeBs (base stations), Wireless Packet Core, IP/MPLS mobile transport, a comprehensive IMS solution and the ng Connect ecosystem with content and application vendors.

Alcatel-Lucent has been selected to support more than 45 LTE trials around the globe and has secured commercial contracts with two of the largest operators (read AT&T & Verizon) in the world.

The company also founded the ng Connect Program, a global initiative to drive the development of an open and diverse ecosystem of LTE device manufacturers, content providers and application partners.

Ericsson

Ericsson LTE system (4G) includes LTE Radio Base stations, which are part of the new RBS6000 series, Evolved Packet Core network and mobile backhaul solutions. Ericsson has been driving open standards and has had the highest impact on the released LTE specifications. Ericsson expects to hold 25 percent of all essential patents for LTE, making it the largest patent holder in the industry.

Ericsson has signed commercial LTE contracts with five major operators to date, including AT&T, Verizon Wireless and MetroPCS  in the US, NTT DoCoMo in Japan and TeliaSonera in Sweden.

 Huawei

Huawei has been awarded more than 60 LTE contracts, including nine commercial LTE contracts. Huawei has also expanded its scope to focus on end-to-end R&D, including eNodeB, EPC (evolved packet core), terminal devices (USB/CPE) and chipsets. 

To date, Huawei has submitted more than 4,700 LTE/EPC standard proposal contributions to 3GPP and holds 181 LTE essential patents, accounting for 34% of the infrastructure vendors in LTE essential patents.

Motorola

Motorola’s LTE solution is comprised of its OFDM broadband platform, SON solution and second generation LTE eNodeB WBR 700 series. Motorola’s LTE portfolio also includes its evolved packet core (EPC) solution - the Wireless Broadband Core (WBC) 700 portfolio. The Motorola WBC 700 is comprised of Motorola’s mobility management entity (MME), packet and serving gateways (P-GW and S-GW), and a policy and charging rules function server (PCRF).

Motorola has commercial readiness for LTE deployments through its involvement in more than 20 LTE trials or engagements with customers around the world - including its contract with Zain Saudi Arabia and activities with KDDI and China Mobile Communications Corporation (CMCC).

NEC

NEC's LTE solutions provide an extremely flexible platform that offers operators smooth, simple and seamless migration from their existing networks.

In addition to its domestic accomplishments in Japan, NEC has done LTE trials for Telefonica in Spain, SingTel in Singapore & O2 in UK.

Nokia Siemens Networks

Nokia Siemens Networks' end-to-end LTE solution centers around the  Flexi Multiradio BTS  and the Evolved Packet Core elements Flexi NG and Flexi NS. Additionally, NSN has unique IP backhaul and backbone solutions and a award-winning VoLTE (Voice over LTE)  solution. 

According to a Reuters report, Nokia Siemens Networks has 30 LTE trials globally and is in talks with 15 top-tier operators to build commercial networks.

ZTE

To date, ZTE  has deployed five commercial LTE networks and built 40 LTE trial networks for leading telecom operators in Europe, North America, Asia-Pacific and MEA. 

ZTE had announced that by late 2009 it had applied for more than 1,700 LTE/SAE patents. With its SDR (Software Defined Radio) solution, ZTE enables operators to cost-effectively host multiple networks on the same base station, enabling them to easily upgrade to an LTE commercial network.

With LTE equipments supplied by Ericsson, TeliaSonera launched the world's first and largest LTE service in Stockholm last year in December. Ericsson has already taken the honors of being fist in comercial deployment.

Ericsson trial claim (company provided number) is not available but based on reported trials I would say it should be more than 40.

Huawei claims overall highest number but in USA market Ericsson & Alcatel-Lucent leads the way.