LTE Unlicensed - LTE in Unlicensed Spectrum: Exec Summary March 2020

LTE in Unlicensed Spectrum and Shared Spectrum

This Executive Summary report is available for all registered users to download. A detailed report is available for GSA Members and Associates. 

The use of unlicensed spectrum for delivery of LTE services is developing steadily. GSA has identified 13 network deployments/launches concerning the various unlicensed spectrum approaches (LAA, LTE-U, LWA or LWIP) by 11 operators. A total of 42 operators around the world are known to have been investing in one or more of the technologies in the form of trials, pilots, deployments and launches. Most recent focus has been on LAA technology, which is being used in trials designed to deliver Gigabit-speed mobile services.

While development of the technology ecosystems around LTE-U and LWA have largely stalled, those operators planning to start trials or deployments of LAA will be encouraged by the increasing number of devices that are compatible with LAA.

Meanwhile, there is rapidly growing interest and momentum behind the CBRS-shared-spectrum approach in the USA.

This report is the twelfth report tracking the progress of the key technologies for using LTE (and in the future, 5G) in unlicensed and shared spectrum. GSA monitors network trials as well as deployments and the availability of modules and devices.

Please contact research@gsacom.com if you have additional information. GSA makes no guarantees that the information is complete, but reasonable efforts have been made to be comprehensive and accurate.

Key data points

Thirty-eight operators investing in LAA across 21 countries. Nine of these are understood to have deployed or launched LAA in six countries (in some cases on a limited basis).

Twenty-nine other operators are known to have been trialling, planning to deploy or deploying the technology in 18 countries.

Twelve operators have historically announced investments in LTE-U networks. Three limited-scale LTE-U networks have been deployed/launched in three countries; nine other operators are known to have invested in the technology in the form of trials, or pilots in seven countries.

One LWA network has been launched in Taiwan, with two other operators investing in the technology through trials in South Korea and Taiwan.

One eLAA trial in South Korea.

Twenty-one public network or neutral host operators identified as investing in CBRS trials in the USA, plus numerous companies looking at private network use-cases.

One hundred and thirty one devices supporting LAA and 146 devices supporting CBRS Band 48.

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