REPORT:

Status of
the LTE Ecosystem
April 5, 2017

This report by GSA (Global mobile Suppliers
Association) confirms 7,847 LTE user devices
launched in the market by 546 manufacturers,
and provides an analysis of the main
developments and trends. This new total is
more than 77% higher than the number of
devices reported by GSA in February 2016.
This report covers LTE FDD and TDD (TD-
LTE) models and LTE-related Cellular IoT
devices standardised by 3GPP as UE Cat M1
and UE Cat NB1 (NB-IoT). LTE is the fastest
developing mobile communications system
technology ever and is a mainstream
communications system technology with
global acceptance and supported by a mature
and fast expanding devices ecosystem.

GSA (Global mobile Suppliers
Association) www.gsacom.com

Join the discussions in these LinkedIN groups

GSA: www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=2313721

LTE1800:
www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=3129390

LTE TDD:
www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=3978061

LTE User Devices:

www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=4146472
7,847 LTE User Devices LTE device frequency bands
LTE networks are operating commercially in several
GSA monitors and researches worldwide mobile
bands. The table below confirms the bands
broadband developments and publishes facts,
amongst the most supported by the devices
statistics and trends. 581 LTE/LTE-Advanced
ecosystem.
networks are commercially launched (GSA:
Evolution to LTE report, January 2017). There were
Several devices are multiband and/or multimode.
1.92 billion LTE subs globally by end 2016. LTE
accounts for 25.1% of mobile subscriptions globally. LTE FDD
7,847 LTE user devices including frequency and 1800 MHz band 3 4,872 devices
operator variants from 546 suppliers are verified in 2600 MHz band 7 4,502 devices
GSAs database (GAMBoD). This is over 77% 2100 MHz band 1 3,885 devices
higher than the number of devices we reported in 800 MHz band 20 2,784 devices
February 2016. The number of suppliers grew 48% 800/1800/2600 tri-band 2,655 devices
in the same period. The report covers FDD, TDD 850 MHz band 5 2,179 devices
(TD-LTE), Cat M1 & Cat NB1 (NB-IoT) CIoT devices AWS band 4 2,048 devices
900 MHz band 8 1,959 devices
1900 MHz band 2 1,802 devices
700 MHz band 17 1,572 devices
700 MHz band 13 809 devices
APT700 band 28 639 devices
700 MHz band 12 539 devices
1900 MHz band 25 358 devices

LTE TDD
2300 MHz band 40 2,369 devices
2600 MHz band 38 1,889 devices
2600 MHz band 41 1,733 devices
7,847 LTE user devices - form factors 1900 MHz band 39 1,454 devices
April 2017 GSA Global mobile Suppliers Association 3500 MHz band 42 118 devices
3600 MHz band 43 93 devices
The phone form factor has the largest ecosystem.
5,125 phones including operator and frequency April 2017 GSA Global mobile Suppliers Association
variants are announced, giving an improved 65.3% Note 1: Manufacturers have not declared operating frequencies
share of all LTE device types. The LTE-connected or fallback modes for some products
tablet PC segment (644 devices) is growing strongly Note 2: Certain products are carrier or country specific and are
therefore not available in all markets
Note 3: A small number of devices currently listed as band
42/43 require to be disaggregated

LTE / 3G fallback support

91% of all LTE devices can operate on a 3G
technology, with the breakdown as follows:
6,382 devices (81.3%) can operate on either
HSPA/HSPA+/DC-HSPA+ or 3C-HSPA+
4,619 devices (58.8%) support DC-HSPA+
1,191 devices (15.1%) support TD-SCDMA
1,155 devices (14.7%) support EV-DO

98.8% of LTE phones are multimode/3G capable

LTE user devices growth
April 2017 GSA Global mobile Suppliers Association
Download above charts via the links on https://gsacom.com
Most devices operate in the FDD mode while the
number of terminals that support LTE TDD (TD-
LTE) continues to grow and gain share. 3,074 i.e.
over 39% of LTE devices support the LTE TDD (TD-
LTE) mode.
67.2% of LTE phones support DC-HSPA+
95.8% of LTE tablets are multimode/3G capable
45.6% of LTE tablets support DC-HSPA+
Category 4 UE devices
UE device Category 4 offers an enhanced user
experience and a theoretical peak downlink rate up
to 150 Mbps with peak uplink up to 50 Mbps on
compatible networks. LTE-Advanced deployment is
a major trend with wide-scale commercialization of
 carrier aggregation to combine different spectrum
bands for greater bandwidth. Many operators have
1800 MHz: largest ecosystem
launched or are deploying networks supporting UE 1800 MHz is the most popular spectrum for LTE
Category 4 devices. 4,300 devices i.e. 54.8% of deployments, used in approaching 50% of
LTE devices support speeds up to Category 4. commercially launched LTE networks globally. See
GSAs SNAPSHOT: LTE1800 global status report.
Category 6 and 7 UE devices
Deployment of LTE-Advanced systems for Category 1800 MHz (3GPP band 3) has the largest LTE user
devices ecosystem. 62% of LTE devices can
6 (300/50 Mbps) or 7 (300/100 Mbps) user devices
is a major trend. 669 devices support speeds up operate in band 3 spectrum. 4,872 LTE1800 (band
to UE Category 6 (627 devices) or 7 (42 devices) 3) user devices are announced in the market.
across most form factors.
US WCS 2.3 GHz spectrum
Category 9 and above UE devices (DL/UL)
LTE networks are being deployed in band 30 (2305-
80 Cat. 9 devices are launched (450/50 Mbps) 2315 MHz / 2350-2360 MHz) spectrum. GSA is
2 Cat. 10 device is launched (450/100 Mbps) tracking the ecosystem and confirms 61 band 30
35 Cat. 11 devices are launched (600/50 Mbps) user devices are announced.
25 Cat. 12 devices launched (600/100 Mbps)
25 Cat. 13 devices are launched (390/150 Mbps)
1 Cat. 14 device is launched (3900/1500 Mbps) LTE in 450 MHz band (LTE450)
1 Cat. 15 device is launched (up to 750 Mbps DL)
2 Cat. 16 devices are launched (up to 1 Gbps DL) 3GPP band 31 devices (452.5 - 457.5 MHz / 462.5
- 467.5 MHz) are included in GSAs tracking. 61
For updates on global LTE-Advanced network LTE450 devices have been announced.
deployments, see these brief status reports
(download via links on https://gsacom.com APT700 band
SNAPSHOT: LTE-Advanced global status Adoption of the APT700 band plan (698-806 MHz)
LTE-Advanced Carrier Aggregation by most countries across APAC and Latin America
deployments: peak speeds (note: this is a represents a major opportunity for global spectrum
restricted access paper) harmonization for LTE systems, paving the way for
ensuring the greatest economies of scale for mobile
VoLTE User Devices broadband devices and capacity, and roaming.
Operators worldwide are investing in VoLTE APT700 FDD band plan (3GPP Band 28)
enabling an HD voice experience for LTE users.
1,075 VoLTE-capable devices including carrier 2 x 45 MHz plus guard band
and frequency variants are announced. 999 of these 703-748 MHz for the uplink
devices are phones, across all price points. It 10 MHz guard band
means 18.3% of LTE phones support VoLTE. 758-803 MHz for the downlink
eMBMS (LTE Broadcast) The FDD plan (Band 28) has most support.
Devices capable of supporting LTE Broadcast APT700 is available on a near-global basis, with the
connect
ro (4.5G) the Internet
deployments
services and oftrials:
are identified inThings
NB-IoT
GSAs research. potential to be used for LTE deployments in
up in performance and mobility markets representing approaching 4 billion people.
CIoT LPWA devices (LTE technologies)
Scaling down in complexity and power For more information about APT700 developments
d LTE Cat-1 LTE-M (Cat-M1) NB-IOT
worldwide including spectrum assignments and
Up to 10 Mbps Up to 1 Mbps 10s of kbps to 100s of kbps network deployments see GSAs SNAPSHOT:
20 MHz 1.4 MHz narrowband 180 kHz narrowband
APT700 global status report download via the
nced (Today+) LTE IoT (Release 13+) link on https://gsacom.com
o 77 Cat 1 devices are launched
639 APT700 band 28 devices comprising phones,
o 19 Cat M1 devices are launched tablets, CPEs & MiFis are announced by many
Video security Wearables Object Tracking Utility metering Environment monitoring
suppliers across all price points. 10% of all LTE
o
40 NB-IoT trials, studies, deployments
20 Cat NB1 (NB-IoT) devices are launched phones can operate on band 28.
A1, AT&T, Batelco, CMCC, China Telecom, China Unicom, DT, EE,
Etisalat (UAE), KT, LG U+, M1, Megafon, MTN CI/CN/GH/NG/SA/UG/ZA, Visit the APT700 community on the GSA website
DRONE (4G/LTE-connected)
Energy Management
Connected healthcare City infrastructure Smart buildings
MTS RU, Nos, Orange BE, Safaricom, SFR, SK Telecom, Softbank,http://gsacom.com/communities/apt700/
tly widening the range ofSonera
enterprise
FI, T-Mobileand consumer
Netherlands, use
Telefonica cases
Spain, Telia SE, Telstra,
Telus, TIM Brasil, Vodafone Australia, Vodafone Ireland, VodafoneAPT700 band LINKEDIN group:
1 model with 2 variants
Netherlands,announced.
Vodafone Spain, Vodafone Turkey, Zain KW
http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=4759091
25

15

sociation GSA (Global mobile Suppliers Association) www.gsacom.com

LTE TDD devices
3GPP decided from the beginning that LTE must
support both FDD and TDD modes with the
minimum possible difference between the two
modes. The emphasis has been on leveraging
synergies between the modes to the largest extent
possible. The result is that almost all parts of the
LTE specifications are the same for both FDD and
TDD. For the current worldwide LTE TDD market
situation including network deployments and
commercial launches see the SNAPSHOT: LTE
TDD (TD-LTE) global status report download via
the link on https://gsacom.com
The LTE TDD user devices ecosystem is well
established. 3,074 i.e. over 39% of LTE devices
support the LTE TDD (TD-LTE) mode, supporting
the growing number of LTE operators using
unpaired spectrum. The smartphone is the largest
device category: 2,156 phones are included in
GSAs database. Several more products are
progressing through GSAs verification process.
3,074 LTE TDD user devices - form factors
April 2017 GSA Global mobile Suppliers Association
Bands 40 (2.3 GHz) and 38 (2.6 GHz) have the
largest choice of TDD terminals with bands 39 and
41 also being mature.
Terminal support for band 40 = 77.0%
Terminal support for band 38 = 61.4%
Terminal support for band 41 = 56.3%
Terminal support for band 39 = 47.3%
Terminal support band 42 = 3.8%
Terminal support band 43 = 3.0%
There is a good choice of multiband and dual mode
FDD-TDD devices. Bands combination 3/5/40
(relevant in India, for example) has 684 devices.
Many operators are committed to deploying LTE
TDD in 3.4 3.8 GHz spectrum (3GPP bands 42,
43), representing an important opportunity for the
wireless industry globally. 118 devices operate in
band 42 and 93 devices operate in band 43.
The expanding devices ecosystem
4G/LTE technology closes the digital divide,
delivering mobile broadband in the most efficient
way in both developing and developed economies
globally, as reported by GSA. While headlines often
focus on ever-rising performance milestones and
successes of LTE and LTE-Advanced systems and
device capabilities, it is equally important that there
is a good choice of LTE user terminals to meet the
needs of developing markets, where cost factors
and flexibility are particularly important, and can
assist to open new segments in developed markets.
This report by GSA researches the broadest range
of announced LTE devices and suppliers, thereby
ensuring that our devices database (GAMBoD-LTE)
has the widest market representation and features a
wide range of types of LTE-connected terminals
(phones, MiFis, CPEs, tablet PCs, dongles, smart
watches, cameras, drones, car hotspots, etc.)
including many produced by OEM/ODM
manufacturers, as well as the premium mobile
phone brands. GSA regularly reaches out to
hundreds of low-cost OEM/ODM suppliers of
4G/LTE phones, tablet PCs, routers etc, based in
China, India and elsewhere and includes many of
their products in the GAMBoD-LTE database.
Devices analysis using GAMBoD
GSAs unique database of 7,847 LTE user devices
referred to in this report is available for study by
authorized users of our GAMBoD-LTE analysis tool
(for more details see below). The devices database
is updated quarterly.
GAMBoD - GSA Analyzer for Mobile Broadband
Devices, is a unique search and analysis tool
developed by GSA for mobile broadband devices,
enabling searches of GSAs devices databases by
supplier, form factor, features, peak downlink and
uplink speeds, and operating frequency. Results are
presented to the user as lists, spreadsheets or
charts. Charts may be inserted into documents or
presentations, referencing GSA as the source. An
RSS feed can be set up by users to alert when GSA
adds new devices to its databases. Visit
https://gsacom.com/gambod/
With GAMBoD-LTE search 7,847 LTE devices by:
Manufacturer name
Product model number or name
Form factor
FDD selector bands
1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,17,18,19,20
21,24,25,26,27,28,29,30,31,32,62,66
TDD selector bands 38,39,40,41,42,43,44,
and CBRS
UE cat. 1,3,4,6,7,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16
 IoT device categories 0, M1, NB1 (NB-IoT)
Support for VoLTE
Support for eMBMS (LTE Broadcast)
Support for 4x4 MIMO
Support for 256QAM (downlink)
Support for LTE-U
Support for PTT
Ruggedised products
3G fallback technology supported: HSPA,
HSPA+, DC-HSPA+, EV-DO, or TD-SCDMA
Access to GAMBoD is available only to qualified
website users, which GSA defines as being either:
Registered site users who are employees of
the GSA Member companies
List of Member companies and Associates
http://gsacom.com/members/
Registered site users who are employees of
network operators (mobile or fixed)
Registered site users who are employees of
Associate of GSA enterprises (see below)
In all cases, users must be registered on the GSA
website with their corporate email address.
enabling access to all GSA reports. Associate of
GSA is not a GSA membership category.
The annual fee for an enterprise to subscribe as
an Associate of GSA on behalf of all its
employees is only GBP 2,500.00.
A discount is given to telecom regulatory authority
bodies, for whom the annual subscription is only
GBP 1,000.00.
The Associate of GSA fee gives access to all GSA
reports including restricted reports, currently being:
* Evolution to LTE (updated quarterly)
* LTE-Advanced: Peak Speeds ((updated quarterly)
The fee also enables the opportunity to promote on
the GSA website 4 pieces of corporate collateral
during the subscription year e.g. white papers,
presentations, thought-pieces, etc. to GSAs highly
targeted global industry audience and generating
attention and hundreds of high quality downloads.
Benefits commence on receipt of payment.

ASSOCIATE of GSA subscription Influential analysts, consultancies and regulatory

GSA offers medium and large-size enterprises the
opportunity to subscribe as an Associate of GSA
for which there is an annual fee, with the principle
benefits of a licence for its employees to use the
GAMBoD database and analysis tool, as well as
authorities are amongst several organizations that
currently subscribe as an Associate of GSA. An
organization wishing to apply to become an
Associate of GSA is invited to contact GSA via
email to marketing@gsacom.com

Membership of GSA is open to any supplier of products; systems or services related to the mobile
industry and brings many benefits including access to GAMBoD. The range of benefits includes enhanced
discussion, networking and influencing opportunities on the key industry topics, and unique
promotional/visibility opportunities for your company name, capabilities, positioning and messages. More
details can be found at https://gsacom.com/gsa-membership/

GSA (Global mobile Suppliers Association) represents GSM/EDGE/WCDMA-HSPA/HSPA+, LTE/LTE-

Advanced, LTE-Advanced Pro and future 5G suppliers. GSA brings together a global industry community of
telecoms professionals through its website, reports, information papers and practical activities to inform,
influence, educate, explain and promote the opportunities enabled by mobile broadband systems. The GSA
website www.gsacom.com has thousands of active registered users for knowledge gathering and
information sharing of insights, key facts, trends and analysis, and also supports a large social network
community via its LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook channels.

Website http://www.gsacom.com
News/updates RSS Feed: https://gsacom.com/rss-feeds/
GSA LinkedIN group: www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=2313721
LTE User Devices LinkedIN group: www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=4146472
LTE-Unlicensed https://www.linkedin.com/groups/8601576
Twitter: www.twitter.com/gsacom
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Global-mobile-Suppliers-Association-GSA/123462771012551

NOTES:
Errors & Omissions Excepted