The Global mobile Suppliers Association (GSA) has published an update to its Evolution to LTE Report, covering LTE FDD and LTE TDD system modes, which confirms 319 operators have committed to commercial LTE network deployments or are engaged in trials, technology testing or studies.

258 firm commercial LTE network deployments are either in deployment, commercially launched, or are planned in 84 countries. Another 61 operators in 13 additional countries are engaged in LTE technology trials, tests or studies. 72 LTE operators have launched commercial services, including 25 networks launched so far in 2012.

Commercial LTE services are available today in 37 countries, in developing and developed markets in all regions: Angola, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belarus, Brazil, Canada, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Japan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Netherlands, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Sweden, UAE, Uruguay, USA, and Uzbekistan.

Alan Hadden, President of the GSA, said: “52 operators launched commercial LTE service in the past 12 months and dozens more operators are preparing to commercially launch LTE networks this year. With hundreds of LTE user devices available now, addressing all market segments with fast subscriptions growth, LTE will enter a new phase as a mainstream technology in 2012.”