144 operators with launched commercial 5G networks, in 61 countries/territories

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As of end January 2021 GSA’s data showed:

• There are 806 operators with commercially launched LTE networks (offering broadband fixed wireless access and or mobile services) Within this, GSA has identified:
• 421 operators that have launched LTE fixed wireless access services (excludes those offering MiFi/dongle services only).
• 743 operators that offer fully mobile LTE services.
• 244 operators hold licences to use spectrum for TD-LTE services, 166 of which are known to be actively using the spectrum (either deploying networks or have launched services).
• 359 operators are investing in one or more LTE-Advanced technologies.
• 210 operators are investing in LTE-Advanced Pro technologies.
• 413 operators in 131 countries/territories are investing in 5G networks in the form of tests, trials, pilots, planned and actual deployments.
• Of those, 144 operators in 61 countries/territories have launched commercial 3GPP-compatible 5G services (either mobile or FWA).
• 65 operators are identified as investing in 5G standalone (including those evaluating/testing, piloting, planning, deploying as well as those that have launched 5G SA networks).
  

Network Features

• 228 operators have deployed/launched VoLTE networks worldwide
• The NTS database tracks various LTE network technologies:
• 4×4 MIMO – 152 operators identified as investing, of which 94 have deployed/launched the technology within their commercial networks.
• 8T8R MIMO and Massive MIMO – 86 operators identified as investing in these technologies; at least 39 deployed/launched.
• 256 QAM in the DL – 125 operators identified as investing, of which 79 are known to have deployed/launched the technology within their commercial networks.
• And numerous key LTE service features:
• 36 operators investing in LAA (9 with deployed/launched networks); 12 operators investing in LTE-U (3 with deployed/launched networks); 3 operators investing in LWA (one launch so far).
• 280 operators investing in VoLTE, and 228 operators with launched VoLTE services.
• 156 companies investing in NB-IoT, 111 of which have launched services.
• 51 deployed/launched networks LTE-M networks.