How Many 5G and LTE Networks are there in the World

Network Types

• 140 operators with launched commercial 5G networks, in 59 countries/territories

As of December 2020, GSA’s NTS database showed:

There are 806 operators with commercially launched LTE networks (offering broadband fixed wireless access and or mobile services). Within this, GSA has identified:

• 423 operators that have launched LTE fixed wireless access services (excludes those offering MiFi/dongle services only).
• 742 operators that offer fully mobile LTE services.
• 237 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).
• 357 operators are investing in one or more LTE-Advanced technologies.
• 210 operators are investing in LTE-Advanced Pro technologies.
• 412 operators in 131 countries/territories are investing in 5G networks in the form of tests, trials, pilots, planned and actual deployments.
• Of those, 140 operators in 59 countries/territories have launched commercial 3GPP-compatible 5G services (either mobile or FWA).
• 61 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

• Over 50 deployed/launched LTE-M networks worldwide

The NTS database tracks various LTE network technologies:

• 4×4 MIMO – 151 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 38 deployed/launched.
• 256 QAM in the DL – 124 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).
• 275 operators investing in VoLTE, and 226 operators with launched VoLTE services.
• 111 deployed/launched NB-IoT networks.
• 51 deployed/launched networks LTE-M networks.

The LTE & 5G Market Statistics above is from https://gsacom.com/