Number of networks using various LTE bands
The Global Mobile Suppliers Association GSA reports that there are now 200 LTE networks launched in 76 countries . This is an increase of 112% in the past year.
Of the 200 networks 182 are LTE FDD including Tesltra and Vodafone 9 are TDD only and 9 have a mix of FDD and TDD which now includes Optus. GSA says that 443 operators are investing in LTE in 130 countries.
1800 MHz (Band 3) is the most popular band largely because, like Australia, many operators already licensed this band for GSM and used it alongside 900MHz to provide capacity in high density areas. As GSM traffic has reduced due to customers moving to 3G the capacity of the 1800MHz GSM overlay is not needed allow for the refarming of the spectrum. The next most popular band is 2600MHz (Band 7) which was very early on designated for 4G LTE and has been newly licensed. This Band 7 will be used by Telstra and Vodafone in Australia from 2014.