This report by the GSA (Global mobile Suppliers Association) provides an overview of the status of LTE mobile broadband deployments using 900 MHz spectrum (3GPP band 8), and the supporting user devices ecosystem. Currently 14 LTE900 systems are commercially launched in 9 countries. Over 20% of all LTE user devices can operate in 900 MHz spectrum. 668 LTE900 user devices have been announced by 94 manufacturers.

1. 0
LTE
in
900
MHz
spectrum
(3GPP
band
8)
–
market
status
July
31,
2015
This report by the GSA (Global mobile
Suppliers Association) provides an overview of
the status of LTE mobile broadband
deployments using 900 MHz spectrum (3GPP
band 8), and the supporting user devices
ecosystem. Currently 14 LTE900 systems are
commercially launched in 9 countries. Over
20% of all LTE user devices can operate in
900 MHz spectrum. 668 LTE900 user devices
have been announced by 94 manufacturers.
© GSA (Global mobile Suppliers
Association) www.gsacom.com
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2. 1
LTE network spectrum options
GSA (Global mobile Suppliers Association) monitors
and researches global mobile broadband
developments and publishes facts, statistics,
information and trends. GSA confirmed this month
that 422 operators have commercially launched LTE
networks in 143 countries (Evolution to LTE report,
21st
July 2015). There were 635 million LTE
subscriptions globally by March 31, 2015.
Most operators (90%) deployed LTE networks in
paired spectrum using the FDD mode. The LTE
TDD mode (TD-LTE) for operators with unpaired
spectrum continues to develop in all regions.
Currently 59 operators i.e. almost 1 in 7 of all LTE
operators, have commercially launched LTE using
the TDD mode in 35 countries. The most widely
used FDD bands in commercial use today in LTE
networks are shown below:
The most widely used spectrum for LTE network
deployments continues to be 1800 MHz (3GPP
band 3), used in 187 commercially launched
networks in 89 countries and representing over 44%
of LTE network deployments. The next most popular
contiguous band for LTE systems is 2.6 GHz (band
7) having been deployed in 100 networks. 800 MHz
(band 20) is the next most popular spectrum choice,
now used by 91 i.e. more than 1 in 5 LTE operators.
13 operators commercially launched LTE mobile
broadband service using 900 MHz spectrum (band
8) (LTE900), either as a single band system, or as
part of a multi-band deployment (GSA confirmed
there were 5 LTE900 systems in August 2014).
GSA monitors and reports on the current status of
the LTE user devices ecosystem, tracking form
factors, operating frequencies, mode of operation
(FDD and/or TDD), if 3G technologies
HSPA/HSPA+ or EV-DO or TD-SCDMA are
supported, and other capabilities e.g. support for
higher data throughput speeds (Category 4 or
Category 6), VoLTE, etc. 3,253 LTE user devices
including frequency and carrier variants have been
announced by 305 suppliers, according to GSA’s
Status of the LTE Ecosystem report published on
19th
June 2015. 1,364 new LTE devices were
launched in the previous 12 months, representing
virtually 100% annual growth, the number of
suppliers growing by 81% in this period. LTE
devices address all segments – see chart:
Smartphones underlined their status as the largest
device category. There are 1,783 LTE-enabled
smartphones with share growing to 54.8% of all
LTE device types. MiFis, LTE tablets and personal
hotspots are other fast-growing categories.
Most devices operate in the FDD mode. 1,210
devices, can operate in LTE TDD mode (TD-LTE).
The table below summarizes the operating
frequencies that are most supported by LTE
devices. Several devices are multiband and/or
multimode. Note that the choice of devices in each
band broadly aligns with the bands most used by
operators in their LTE network deployments.
Note 1: Manufacturers have not declared operating frequencies
or fallback modes for some products
Note 2: Certain products are carrier or country specific and are
therefore not available in all markets
3,253 LTE User Devices
GSA monitors and researches worldwide mobile
broadband developments and publishes facts,
statistics and trends. Over 400 LTE networks are
commercially launched globally (GSA: Evolution to
LTE report). GSA forecasts this figure will rise to
460 networks by end 2015. There were 635 million
LTE subscriptions globally by March 31, 2015.
3,253 LTE user devices including frequency and
operator variants are announced by 305 suppliers
according to GSA’s research. 1,364 new devices
have been announced since July 2014 i.e. 72%
growth. The number of suppliers grew 81% in the
same period (July 2014 = 168 suppliers).
3,253 LTE user devices - form factors
June 2015 © GSA – Global mobile Suppliers Association
The smartphone is the largest LTE device
category. 1,783 smartphones including operator and
frequency variants are announced, giving an
improved 54.8% share of all LTE device types. LTE
tablets and personal hotspots are also fast-growing.
LTE device frequency bands
LTE networks are commercially operating in over 20
bands (see chart “Spectrum used in LTE
networks (FDD and TDD deployments)” via the
link on http://www.gsacom.com
The table below confirms the bands that are most
supported by the devices ecosystem. Note that
several devices are multiband and/or multimode.
LTE FDD
1800 MHz band 3 1,543 devices
2600 MHz band 7 1,381 devices
2100 MHz band 1 1,185 devices
800 MHz band 20 812 devices
AWS band 4 727 devices
800/1800/2600 tri-band 739 devices
850 MHz band 5 684 devices
900 MHz band 8 668 devices
700 MHz bands 12 or 17 650 devices
1900 MHz band 2 535 devices
700 MHz band 13 457 devices
1900 MHz band 25 194 devices
APT700 band 28 139 devices
700 MHz band 12 106 devices
LTE TDD
2300 MHz band 40 869 devices
2600 MHz band 38 752 devices
1900 MHz band 39 630 devices
2600 MHz band 41 625 devices
3500 MHz band 42/43 32 devices
June 2015 © GSA – Global mobile Suppliers Association
Note 1: Manufacturers have not declared operating frequencies
or fallback modes for some products
Note 2: Certain products are carrier or country specific and are
therefore not available in all markets
LTE / 3G fallback support
3,253 LTE User Devices
GSA monitors and researches worldwide mobile
broadband developments and publishes facts,
statistics and trends. Over 400 LTE networks are
commercially launched globally (GSA: Evolution to
LTE report). GSA forecasts this figure will rise to
460 networks by end 2015. There were 635 million
LTE subscriptions globally by March 31, 2015.
3,253 LTE user devices including frequency and
operator variants are announced by 305 suppliers
according to GSA’s research. 1,364 new devices
have been announced since July 2014 i.e. 72%
growth. The number of suppliers grew 81% in the
same period (July 2014 = 168 suppliers).
3,253 LTE user devices - form factors
June 2015 © GSA – Global mobile Suppliers Association
The smartphone is the largest LTE device
category. 1,783 smartphones including operator and
frequency variants are announced, giving an
improved 54.8% share of all LTE device types. LTE
tablets and personal hotspots are also fast-growing.
LTE device frequency bands
LTE networks are commercially operating in over 20
bands (see chart “Spectrum used in LTE
networks (FDD and TDD deployments)” via the
link on http://www.gsacom.com
The table below confirms the bands that are most
supported by the devices ecosystem. Note that
several devices are multiband and/or multimode.
LTE FDD
1800 MHz band 3 1,543 devices
2600 MHz band 7 1,381 devices
2100 MHz band 1 1,185 devices
800 MHz band 20 812 devices
AWS band 4 727 devices
800/1800/2600 tri-band 739 devices
850 MHz band 5 684 devices
900 MHz band 8 668 devices
700 MHz bands 12 or 17 650 devices
1900 MHz band 2 535 devices
700 MHz band 13 457 devices
1900 MHz band 25 194 devices
APT700 band 28 139 devices
700 MHz band 12 106 devices
LTE TDD
2300 MHz band 40 869 devices
2600 MHz band 38 752 devices
1900 MHz band 39 630 devices
2600 MHz band 41 625 devices
3500 MHz band 42/43 32 devices
June 2015 © GSA – Global mobile Suppliers Association
Note 1: Manufacturers have not declared operating frequencies
or fallback modes for some products
Note 2: Certain products are carrier or country specific and are
therefore not available in all markets
LTE / 3G fallback support

3. 2
900 MHz (3GPP band 8)
900 MHz (3GPP band 8) is used globally for GSM
voice and basic data mobile communications.
Technology neutrality licensing enabled 900 MHz to
become a mainstream spectrum choice for mobile
broadband using HSPA/HSPA+ (UMTS900) with
excellent propagation characteristics for wide area
coverage (in rural areas) and in-building penetration
(rural & urban). 96 UMTS900 networks are
commercially launched in 60 countries (GSA: HSPA
Operator commitments report, 16th
May 2015). The
UMTS900 devices ecosystem is mainstream.
900 MHz spectrum is typically limited due to its use
for GSM, however using 900 MHz as an LTE band
is gaining traction and the main infrastructure
vendors offer LTE900 solutions.
14 operators have commercially launched LTE
using 900 MHz either as a single band system, or
as part of a multi-band deployment, as listed below:
Country LTE900 operator
Czech Republic Vodafone
Indonesia Indosat
Indonesia Telkomsel
Indonesia XL Axiata
Liechtenstein Swisscom
Netherlands (The) T-Mobile
Singapore Singtel
Slovenia Telekom Slovenije
South Korea KT
Sweden Tele2
Sweden TeleNor
Taiwan Ambit Microsystems
Taiwan Chunghwa Telecom
Taiwan Taiwan Star
Source: GSA’s Evolution to LTE report 21
st
July 2015 & Singtel
press release 28
th
July, 2015
With many GSM licences approaching expiry dates,
regulators often allow technology neutrality with
renewal, or auction returned spectrum with
technology neutrality licences.
Many additional operators are deploying or
considering using 900 MHz for LTE network
deployments where this is feasible – see below.
LTE-Advanced carrier aggregation enables
operators to combine spectrum assets in different
bands and amounts so that sufficient bandwidths
including relatively small bandwidths can be
efficiently allocated for higher MBB speeds.
900 MHz for LTE: global status
In addition to the above stated LTE900 commercial
service launches, additional developments
regarding 900 MHz spectrum allocations and usage
for LTE systems are indicated below (for full details
per operator please see GSAs Evolution to LTE
report published on 21st
July 2015).
ALBANIA: In August 2014 regulator Electronic and
Postal Communications Authority AKEP approved the
refarming of GSM bands (900 MHz, 1800 MHz) for LTE.
ANGOLA: On December 18, 2013 Unitel demonstrated
LTE-Advanced carrier aggregation by combining 900
MHz and 1800 MHz spectrum on its live network
AUSTRALIA: In February 2013 Telstra announced plans
to deploy LTE in re-farmed 900 MHz spectrum – some
sites are running now. In July 2013 Telstra demonstrated
carrier aggregation using 900 MHz and 1800 MHz
spectrum. In July 2014 Telstra announced plans to close
its 2G/GSM network by end 2016.
AUSTRIA: On July 28, 2014 RTR approved proposals by
the incumbent mobile operators to refarm their existing
GSM spectrum for 3G and 4G/LTE use.
BAHRAIN: Batelco, Viva and Zain received permits in
2013 to deploy LTE networks using 900 MHz
BULGARIA: 900 MHz is an option for LTE deployment.
COLOMBIA: MinTIC published the conditions for the
proposed auction of spectrum in the 700 MHz, 900 MHz,
1,900 MHz and 2.5 GHz bands. Comments were
required by June 12, 2015.
CROATIA: HAKOM launched a consultation into use of
900 MHz (and 1800 MHz) for LTE.
CYPRUS: PrimeTel acquired technology-neutral 900,
1800 and 2100 MHz spectrum.
GERMANY: Regulator BNetz auctioned 270 MHz of 700,
900 and 1800 MHz spectrum in 2015. All three
incumbent operators acquired spectrum in these bands.
Telekom and Vodafone each additionally obtained 20
MHz of 1.5 GHz TDD spectrum. This spectrum can be
combined with existing LTE spectrum assets using
carrier aggregation to increase downlink capacity, or
could be used in small cell solutions, or for LTE
Broadcast by deploying eMBMS.
GUATEMALA: Regulator SIT said suitable bands for LTE
include 900 MHz.
HUNGARY: In 2014 NMHH held an auction of 800 MHz,
900 MHz, 1800 MHz & 2.6 GHz spectrum. Results:
• Magyar Telekom won 800, 900, 1800 MHz & 2.6
GHz Vodafone won 800, 900 MHz & 2.6 GHz
• Telenor won 800, 900 MHz & 2.6 GHz
• DiGi (new market entrant) won 1800 MHz

4. 3
INDIA: DoT concluded an auction of technology-neutral
900 MHz (and 1800 MHz) spectrum in February 2014.
The winners of 900 MHz spectrum, which may be used
for LTE deployments, were Bahrti Airtel (3 areas), Idea
Cellular (1 area), and Vodafone India (3 areas).
IRELAND: An auction by ComReg in 2012 concluded
with Hutchison 3, Meteor, Telefónica and Vodafone
each receiving 900 MHz spectrum (and 1800 MHz).
JAPAN: Softbank Mobile owns licences to operate
mobile systems in 2.1 GHz FDD (band 1), 1.5 GHz (band
11) and 900 MHz (band 8). LTE is launched in band 1.
MALAYSIA: MCMC is consulting on re-farming
850/900/1800 MHz.
MOLDOVA: ANRCETI offered 4G licences to each of the
3 mobile networks in the ranges 2500-2690 MHz and
3400- 3800 MHz. In July 2015 ANRCETI launched a
consultation about 800 & 900 MHz spectrum for LTE.
NORWAY: Telenor, TeliaSonera and Telco Data each
won new 900 MHz spectrum in a 2013 auction. 900 MHz
spectrum licences currently allocated to Telenor and
TeliaSonera will expire in 2017. Nkom opened a
consultation in June 2015 concerning the planned
spectrum sale in mid-2016.
ROMANIA: Orange, Vodafone and Cosmote each
obtained new 900 MHz spectrum. RCS & RDS plans to
deploy LTE in its 900 MHz spectrum, though 3G is the
current priority.
RUSSIA: the principle of technology neutrality applies to
the 900 MHz band, following a similar earlier decision for
1800 MHz.
SINGAPORE: M1, Singtel and StarHub announced they
will close 2G/GSM services from April, 2017 with
spectrum to be refarmed for 3G/HSPA and 4G/LTE.
Operators’ rights to use 900 MHz expire in April 2017.
IDA plans to auction this spectrum and 700 MHz
(APT700). Incentives are proposed to encourage a new
player. Bidding is expected to take place in early 2016.
On 28
th
July 2015 Singtel announced commercial launch
of LTE service using 900 MHz within a tri-band 337 Mbps
Category 9 LTE network
SLOVENIA: AKOS auctioned additional 900 MHz
spectrum in April 2014 to Si.mobil, Telekom Slovenije,
and Tušmobil.
SOUTH KOREA: In the area where KT provides 20 MHz
wideband LTE services, KT also provides 10 MHz
multicarrier service by bringing into use 10 MHz of 900
MHz band 8 spectrum. In addition KT is using Carrier
Aggregation to combine 10 MHz B3 and 10 MHz B8 in
the other area where 20 MHz wideband is not used. KT
plans to support 20 MHz B3 combined with 10 MHz B8,
subject to availability of UE terminals. KT commercially
launched 3-band 300 Mbps LTE-Advanced service in the
major areas of 85 cities with availability of commercial
Cat 6 compatible Samsung Galaxy Note 4 phones on
January 23, 2015. The LG G Plex2 Cat 6 phone was
offered from January 30, 2015. The 300 MBps service
had been available from December 28, 2014 for users
with non-commercial terminals to experience the tri-band
carrier aggregation performance. The service combines
10 MHz B1 + 20 MHz B3 + 10 MHz B8.
SPAIN: Vodafone plans to refarm 900 MHz for rural
mobile broadband coverage. Additional 900 MHz
spectrum was acquired by Vodafone, Telefonica and
Orange following an auction.
THAILAND: AIS is preparing to deploy an LTE network
using 900 MHz and 1800 MHz spectrum that AIS will bid
for at the auction in November 2015
TURKEY: BTK will auction 390 MHz of 800, 900, 1800,
2100 & 2600 MHz LTE spectrum in August 2015.
Provision is made for a new market entrant.
UK: operators are allowed to refarm 900 MHz spectrum
for LTE network deployments. A 3dB increase in
maximum transmit power when using 900 MHz spectrum
has also been approved.
UKRAINE: some operators are seeking technology
neutrality principles for 900 MHz to allow LTE.
IMPORTANT
IT SHOULD BE NOTED that technology neutral 900
MHz licences have been granted in many additional
countries. It is therefore possible that 900 MHz will be
used in LTE network deployments by even more network
operators.
The summary of developments provided above in this
report is based on the practical activities or statements
made in the respective markets.
LTE900 devices
668 LTE900 devices (i.e. over 20% of LTE devices)
including operator variants are announced by 94
manufacturers – see form factor chart below.
Source:
GSA’s Status of the LTE Ecosystem report 19
th
June 2015

5. 4
The number of LTE900 user devices almost
doubled since August 2014. The number of
LTE900-capable smartphones increased by 131%
from 161 to 372 currently. The number of LTE900-
conencted tablets doubled in the same period.
LTE devices analysis with GAMBoD
GSA’s database of 3,253 LTE user devices is
available to users of our GAMBoD analysis tool.
GAMBoD - GSA Analyzer for Mobile Broadband
Devices, is a unique search and analysis tool
developed by GSA for mobile broadband devices,
allowing searches of our devices databases by
supplier, form factor, features, peak downlink and
uplink speeds, and operating frequency. Results are
presented in list form, or in a spreadsheet or charts.
Charts may be inserted into documents or
presentations, subject to citing GSA as the source.
An RSS feed can be set up by users to alert them to
when GSA adds new devices to its databases.
Visit www.gsacom.com/gambod
With GAMBoD-LTE, search 3,253 LTE devices by:
• Manufacturer name
• Product model number or name
• Form factor
• FDD spectrum selector bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7,
8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 20, 25, 28 and 31.
• TDD spectrum selector bands 38, 39, 40, 41,
42, and 43.
• Support for Cat 4 and Cat 6 devices
• Support for VoLTE devices
• Support for 3G fallback technologies: HSPA,
or HSPA+, or DC-HSPA+, or EV-DO, or TD-
SCDMA
All 668 LTE900 devices are included in GSA’s
GAMBoD-LTE database for study/analysis
Note: access to GAMBoD is available only to
qualified website users, which GSA define as:
• registered site users who are employees of
the GSA Member companies
• 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 have registered on the GSA
website using their corporate email address.
Get GAMBoD access as an ASSOCIATE of GSA
For non-Member or non-network operator
companies
GSA offers medium and large-size enterprises
including consultancies, analysts, manufacturers
(non-GSA members), test houses, etc. the
opportunity to become an “Associate of GSA” with
the main benefit of receiving a licence for its
employees worldwide to use the GAMBoD tools and
databases, subject to the published terms of use for
GAMBoD. “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.
Regulatory authorities can also benefit by
subscribing as an Associate of GSA, thereby
gaining access to GAMBoD, which allows those
who are shaping policy to fully appreciate
developments, trends and the current status of the
devices ecosystem for mobile broadband services,
including 4G/LTE systems.
Benefits commence on receipt of payment. To apply
on behalf of your company to become an Associate
of GSA, thus enabling access for all of your
employees to GAMBoD, please send your
instructions 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 www.gsacom.com/about/join.php4
For information about benefits of Membership and annual fee, email to marketing@gsacom.com

6. 5
ABOUT GSA
GSA (Global mobile Suppliers Association) represents GSM/EDGE/WCDMA-HSPA/HSPA+, LTE/LTE-
Advanced 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 over 69,000 registered users for knowledge gathering and information sharing of
key facts, trends and analysis, and over 24,600 connections on our social network platforms LinkedIn,
Twitter and Facebook.
Over 1 million GSA reports, presentations, information papers, maps, charts and other resources were
downloaded from www.gsacom.com in under five years.
Register for free downloads of reports, information papers, maps, charts, etc. at
http://www.gsacom.com/php/register_form.php4
RECOMMENDED FURTHER READING – sign in to http://www.gsacom.com and follow the links to:
o Evolution to LTE report
o Status of the LTE Ecosystem report
Sign in to the GSA home page and follow the link to the latest issues
CONTACTS and LINKS with GSA
GSA Secretariat: Email info@gsacom.com
GSA website: http://www.gsacom.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/gsacom
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Global-mobile-Suppliers-Association-GSA/123462771012551
News/updates RSS Feed: www.gsacom.com/rss/gsanews.php4
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LTE User Devices LinkedIN Group www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=4146472
NOTES:
Errors
&
Omissions
Excepted
General
announcements
relating
e.g.
to
future
product
collaborations
or
launches
are
not
included