According to the Global Mobile Suppliers Association (GSA), 26 network operators have committed to deploy 3GPP Long-Term Evolution (LTE) systems. In fact, the GSA says that up to 10 operators are expected to launch commercial LTE services in 2010. Nokia, the world’s largest handset vendor, has committed to LTE as its preferred network for devices and plans to launch data-intensive devices for those networks in 2010.

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In December, the 3GPP agreed on an initial set of specifications for the technology that will be included in the Release 8 set of standards. Verizon has announced its choice of radio access network vendors—Alcatel-Lucent and Ericsson—at last month’s GSMA Mobile World Congress and plans to launch commercial services next year. NTT DoCoMo and China Mobile also are prepping deployment. Analyst firm Wireless Intelligence, though, doesn’t expect LTE to reach the mass market anytime before 2012, when it expects the first big wave of commercial availability.

The GSA also presents its research into the current status of LTE worldwide in its “Evolution to LTE” information paper. The paper offers concise information about the business drivers, objectives, and targets for LTE and for System Architecture Evolution (SAE), including network operator commitments and deployment/launch plans, device and platforms availability, latest trials results, spectrum, and plans for the future evolution of LTE for consideration for the ITU IMT-Advanced standard.

Business users and consumers today can access the Internet and e-mail using HSPA-enabled notebooks or HSPA modems including USB dongles, as well as send and receive video or music using their 3G/HSPA phones. Several operators are upgrading their networks this year with evolved HSPA (HSPA+) technology using 64QAM (quadrature amplitude modulation), enabling up to 21-Mbit/s downlink peak data speeds. Combining this technology with 2x2 multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) will mean 42 Mbits/s as a future step when devices come to market that support these speeds.

LTE will deliver significant further capacity, data rate speed and throughput enhancements, and reduced latency to support new services and features requiring higher levels of capability and performance. LTE is the next step in the user experience, further enhancing more demanding applications such as interactive TV, mobile video blogging, advanced games, and professional services.

The new system supports full IP-based (Internet protocol) network and offers harmonization with legacy 3GPP systems (GSM, GPRS/EDGE, WCDMA-HSPA) and other radio access technologies. LTE reduces the cost per gigabyte delivered as well, which is essential for addressing the mass market.

With up to 10 LTE networks are expected to launch commercial services in 2010, the paper notes that LTE is on track, attracting global industry support. With the HSPA mobile broadband eco-system in place, LTE is the natural migration choice for GSM/HSPA operators. LTE is also the next-generation mobile broadband system of choice of leading CDMA operators, with leading players expected to be in the forefront of service introduction.

The Evolution to LTE Information Paper by GSA is available now as a free download at www.gsacom.com/downloads/pdf/lte_3gpp.php4.

Global Mobile Suppliers Association

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