GSA (Global mobile Suppliers Association) has announced that 237 operators have either launched commercial service, or are in trials, tests or studies highlighting the growing investment in LTE.

According to recent GSA report 174 firm commercial LTE network deployments are in progress or planned in 64 countries, including 26 networks that have commercially launched. A further 63 operators in 21 additional countries are engaged in LTE technology trials, tests or studies. The report also notes a significant increase in LTE-related activities in many developing markets, including technology trials.

26 LTE FDD networks are commercially launched in 18 countries: Austria, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Singapore, South Korea, Sweden, USA, and Uzbekistan.

"Growing industry acceptance of the benefits of deploying LTE in 1800 MHz spectrum, which is increasingly supported by regulators and policy makers, confirm 1800 MHz as a core band for LTE globally," said Alan Hadden, President, GSA.

GSA also indicated srong momentum towards deploying LTE in re-farmed spectrum, particularly 1800 MHz (i.e. LTE1800). As per report five LTE1800 networks are now commercially launched, in Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Singapore, and the global reach of LTE1800 is evident in the growing activity in markets including Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Namibia, Russia, Singapore, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Thailand and the UK.

The Evolution to LTE report (August 31, 2011) is available as a free download to registered site users at http://www.gsacom.com/gsm_3g/info_papers