LTE on track for 22 deployments by year-end, 45 by 2012

The Global mobile Suppliers Association said that it expects 22 LTE networks to be up and running by the end of this year with an additional 23 networks operational by the end of 2012.
The GSA added that 80 operators have made “firm commitments to deploy LTE networks in 33 countries,” an increase from 64 network commitments two months ago, and that 110 operators in 48 countries are “currently investing in LTE networks.”
Spurring the deployment plans were the recently completed spectrum auctions in Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands. Spectrum being looked at for LTE deployments around the world include 700 MHz in the Americas, and 800 MHz, 1.8 GHz and 2.6 GHz in Europe.
Those domestic plans include Verizon Wireless and MetroPCS Communications Inc., which have said they plan to have networks up and running by the end of the year, as well as AT&T Mobility, which is on track for network trials in 2011 and commercial deployments in 2012. WiMAX supporter Clearwire Corp. has also said that it was looking at possible LTE deployments using its extensive 2.5 GHz spectrum holdings, a move already announced by Russian operator Yota.
LTE technology is also expected to get a boost from the TD-LTE protocol that is gaining supporters in China.
“The success of recent LTE systems launches, newly completed spectrum auctions in 2.6 GHz and 800 MHz bands, and the continuing strong upsurge in mobile broadband worldwide are combining to produce the huge momentum for LTE we see right now,” said Alan Hadden, President of GSA. “LTE is essential to take mobile broadband to the mass market.”