evolution to lte (world market report) - gsa 10052013

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Evolution to LTE Report

Introduction In this Evolution to LTE report, GSA presents the current situation based on GSAs current research, to provide the industry with facts and analysis about the global status and growth of mobile broadband enabled by LTE. The Evolution to LTE report is regularly updated and may be downloaded by any registered user of the GSA website. Information is provided about the LTE system both for FDD and TDD modes, technical standards, operator investments and commitments including listings of all network deployments, studies and trials, commercial service launches (see GSAs definition of commercial launch below), and regulatory developments including spectrum supporting LTE-enabled mobile broadband service network deployments. Details are also provided about LTE user devices which have been announced by manufacturers. Information for the production of this report was obtained in several ways, including from regular information exchanges and direct contacts by GSA with senior management in network operator organizations, regulatory authorities, suppliers and other stakeholders. This is in addition to consideration and analysis of public statements where appropriate e.g. company press releases and briefings, in order to establish the facts as accurately as possible and ensure that this report reflects the true LTE mobile broadband market situation. Comments about the report including news/updates should be sent to email [email protected] GSA provides additional LTE-related resources to complement this report, including various maps and charts, which can be downloaded by registered site users at www.gsacom.com/news/statistics.php4 Selected charts and maps are also available as PDF files see the relevant links on our home page www.gsacom.com Readers may also download these related reports:

Status of the LTE Ecosystem report Status of the Global LTE TDD Market report Status of the Global LTE1800 Market report

This report and all related materials and resources are copyright of GSA Global mobile Suppliers Association. Any texts, images, layouts or other contents may not be copied or distributed, whole or in part, without the written consent of GSA, except for personal non-commercial use. For such purposes please contact the Secretariat by email to [email protected] For further information please visit www.gsacom.com/disclaimer.php4

LTE Market Summary May 10, 2013

175 commercial networks in 70 countries

424 operators investing in LTE in 126 countries

371 operator commitments in 116 countries 53 pre-commitment trials in 10 more countries

GSA forecasts 248 commercial LTE networks

in 87 countries by end 2013

MVNOs are excluded

GSA www.gsacom.com GSA re-affirms LTE as the fastest developing

mobile system technology ever

LTE is a mainstream technology and rapid expansion globally is continuing in 2013

GSAs definition of commercial launch: The phase in which a public telecommunications operator is carrying commercial traffic on its LTE network, or offers to provide public service. Only licensed operators with spectrum assigned for use in public LTE communications networks are considered. MVNOs are not included. The LTE operators business model may be retail or wholesale. Devices compatible for use on the LTE network may be sold direct by the operator to the customer, or via distributors, resellers or other third parties, or already be owned by persons wishing to use the service.

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175 commercial LTE networks in 70 countries

Country Operator Launch Norway TeliaSonera (NetCom) 14.12.09 Sweden TeliaSonera 14.12.09 Uzbekistan UCell 09.08.10 Poland Aero2 (LTE FDD and TDD) 07.09.10 USA MetroPCS 21.09.10 Austria A1 Telekom 05.11.10 Sweden Telenor Sweden 15.11.10 Sweden Tele2 Sweden 15.11.10 Hong Kong CSL Limited 25.11.10 Finland TeliaSonera 30.11.10 Germany Vodafone 01.12.10 USA Verizon Wireless 05.12.10 Finland Elisa 08.12.10 Denmark TeliaSonera 09.12.10 Estonia EMT 17.12.10 Japan NTT DoCoMo 24.12.10 Germany Deutsche Telekom 05.04.11 Philippines Smart Communications 16.04.11 Lithuania Omnitel 28.04.11 Latvia LMT 31.05.11 Singapore M1 21.06.11 South Korea SK Telecom 01.07.11 South Korea LG U+ 01.07.11 Germany O2 01.07.11 Canada Rogers Wireless 07.07.11 Austria T-Mobile 28.07.11 USA Mosaic Telecom 07. 2011 Canada Bell Mobility 14.09.11 Saudi Arabia Mobily (LTE TDD) 14.09.11 Saudi Arabia STC (LTE TDD) later FDD 14.09.11 Saudi Arabia Zain 14.09.11 USA AT&T Mobility 18.09.11 UAE Etisalat 25.09.11 Australia Telstra 27.09.11 Denmark TDC 10.10.11 Austria 3 18.11.11 Puerto Rico AT&T Mobility 20.11.11 Puerto Rico Claro 24.11.11 Kyrgyzstan Saima Telecom 09.12.11 Brazil Sky Brazil (LTE TDD) 13.12.11 Finland DNA 13.12.11 Uruguay Antel 13.12.11 USA Cricket 21.12.11 Singapore SingTel 22.12.11 Kuwait Viva 27.12.11 Armenia Vivacell-MTS 28.12.11 Bahrain Viva 01.01.12 Hungary T-Mobile (MT) 01.01.12 South Korea KT 03.01.12 Russia Yota 15.01.12 Canada TELUS 10.02.12

USA Peoples Telephone Co-op 14.02.12 Japan Softbank Mobile XGP/LTE TDD 24.02.12 Portugal TMN (Portugal Telecom) 12.03.12 Portugal Vodafone Portugal 12.03.12 Portugal Optimus 15.03.12 Japan eAccess 15.03.12 USA US Cellular 22.03.12 Croatia T Mobile/T-Hrvatski Telekom 23.03.12 Croatia VIPNet 23.03.12 USA Panhandle (PTCI) 03. 2012 Australia NBN Co (LTE TDD) 02.04.12 India Bharti Airtel (LTE TDD) 10.04.12 Angola Movicel 14.04.12 Puerto Rico Open Mobile 19.04.12 Moldova IDC 21.04.12 Sweden 3 (LTE FDD and TDD) 23.04.12 Hong Kong CM HK (LTE FDD later TDD) 25.04.12 Hong Kong PCCW 25.04.12 USA Cellcom 30.04.12 USA Pioneer Cellular 30.04.12 Netherlands Vodafone 01.05.12 Hong Kong 3 HK 02.05.12 Netherlands Ziggo 03.05.12 Netherlands Tele2 08.05.12 Netherlands KPN 11.05.12 Netherlands T-Mobile 11.05.12 Namibia MTC 16.05.12 USA BendBroadband 17.05.12 Tanzania Smile 30.05.12 UAE Du 12.06.12 Colombia Une-UPM 14.06.12 Azerbaijan Azercell 19.06.12 Czech Rep Telefonica O2 19.06.12 Mauritius Orange 21.06.12 UK UK Broadband (LTE TDD) 28.06.12 Guam IT&E 28.06.12 Hungary Telenor Hungary 05.07.12 Dominican R. Orange Dominicana 09.07.12 Slovenia Si.mobil 12.07.12 USA Sprint 15.07.12 Oman Omantel LTE TDD later FDD 16.07.12 Australia Optus 31.07.12 Mauritius Emtel July 2012 Slovak Rep Telefonica O2 02.08.12 Hong Kong Smartone 28.08.12 Poland Polkomtel Plus Sept 2012 Russia Megafon (LTE TDD) 01.09.12 Russia MTS (LTE TDD) 01.09.12 USA C Spire Wireless 10.09.12 Singapore StarHub 19.09.12 Japan KDDI 21.09.12 Japan Softbank Mobile 21.09.12 Canada MTS 25.09.12 Denmark 3 Denmark 28.09.12

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Philippines Globe 28.09.12 Luxembourg Tango 01.10.12 Guam DoCoMo Pacific 04.10.12 Tajikistan Babilon-Mobile 06.10.12 Norway Telenor 10.10.12 South Africa Vodacom 10.10.12 USA Alaska Communications 12.10.12 Mexico Telefonica Movistar 15.10.12 Luxembourg Orange 29.10.12 UK EE 30.10.12 Uganda Smile Oct 2012 Belgium Belgacom / Proximus 05.11.12 USA Bluegrass Cellular 05.11.12 Antigua-Barb Digicel 06.11.12 Mexico Telcel 06.11.12 Italy Vodafone 06.11.12 Italy TIM 07.11.12 Montenegro Telenor 08.11.12 USA Sprocket Wireless 09.11.12 Greece Cosmote 16.11.12 Moldova Moldcell 16.11.12 USA Strata Networks 19.11.12 Moldova Orange Moldova 20.11.12 Romania Vodafone 20.11.12 Kuwait Zain 21.11.12 France Orange 22.11.12 USA Shentel 23.11.12 Estonia Tele2 27.11.12 France SFR 28.11.12 Switzerland Swisscom 29.11.12 South Africa MTN 01.12.12 Romania Orange 12.12.12 Brazil Claro 13.12.12 Angola Unitel 16.12.12 Bolivia Entel Movil 16.12.12 Greece Vodafone 17.12.12 Puerto Rico Sprint Nextel 18.12.12 Kazakhstan Altel 25.12.12 Sri Lanka Dialog LTE TDD later FDD 30.12.12 Sri Lanka Mobitel 31.12.12 USA Thumb Cellular 12.12 Malaysia Maxis 01.01.13 Canada Sasktel 31.01.13 Italy 3 Italia 01.02.13 Paraguay Personal 08.02.13 Estonia Elisa 14.02.13 Canada Eastlink 15.02.13 Oman Nawras 17.02.13 Paraguay Vox 18.02.13 Bahrain Batelco 27.02.13 New Zealand Vodafone 28.02.13 Brazil On (LTE TDD) 03.13 Lithuania Tele2 03.13 USA MiSpot 14.03.13

Dominican R. Tricom 18.03.13 Slovenia Mobitel 20.03.13 Guam iConnect 20.03.13 USA T Mobile USA 26.03.13 Iceland Nova 04.04.13 Qatar Ooredoo 16.04.13 Bahrain Zain 18.04.13 South Africa Telkom Mobile / 8ta LTE TDD 21.04.13 Malaysia Celcom Axiata 22.04.13 Uganda MTN Uganda 25.04.13 Romania Cosmote 29.04.13 Brazil Oi 25.04.13 Brazil TIM Brasil 30.04.13 Brazil Vivo 30.04.13 France Bouygues Telecom 06.05.13 Thailand True Move 08.05.13 GSA Global mobile Suppliers Association www.gsacom.com

3GPP LTE is a single global standard with FDD and TDD modes, delivering capacity, data throughput enhancements and low latency to support new services and features requiring higher levels

of capability and performance. The primary drive towards LTE from operators is the need for more capacity, performance management and improved efficiencies to lower the unit cost of delivering traffic. LTE is the next step in the user experience, enhancing more demanding applications such as interactive TV, mobile video blogging, advanced gaming, and professional services. LTE supports a full IP-based network and harmonization with other radio access technologies and is the natural evolution choice for GSM/HSPA, CDMA and WiMAX network operators, thereby enabling a single unifying global standard for even higher scale economies and simplifying roaming. LTE is a global phenomenon. Spectrum for LTE deployments Pressure on spectrum resources is high and operators should deploy the most efficient technologies available to them. LTE can be deployed in existing 2G or 3G bands and in new spectrum e.g. 2.6 GHz or digital dividend bands (700 or 800 MHz depending on region). In the USA, LTE deployments typically use 700 MHz (primarily band 13 or band 17) or AWS (1.7/2.1 GHz). New digital dividend spectrum is being allocated in Europe, Asia and elsewhere, enabling extended geographical coverage and

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improved in-building performance. Commercial LTE services are running on several networks using 800 MHz (band 20), often targeting rural broadband needs and improved indoor coverage. The capacity band in most regions is 2.6 GHz. There is high interest in re-farming 2G spectrum for LTE, especially 1800 MHz, and in a few cases 900 MHz. Most regulators adopt a technology-neutral approach. Initial LTE FDD deployments in Japan use 800/850 MHz, 1.5 GHz, 1.7 GHz and 2.1 GHz (operator-dependant). New 700 MHz (APT700) spectrum has been allocated ready for future use. Design targets for the first LTE deployments include: Instantaneous downlink peak data rate of at least

100 Mb/s within 20 MHz allocation (5 bps/Hz) Instantaneous uplink peak data rate of 50 Mb/s (2.5

bps/Hz within a 20MHz uplink allocation) Downlink: average user throughput per MHz, 3 to 4

times Release 6 HSDPA Uplink: average user throughput per MHz, 2-3 times

Release 6 Enhanced Uplink E-UTRAN optimized for low mobile speed: 0-15

km/h. Higher mobile speed between 15-120 km/h should be supported with high performance. Mobility across the cellular network shall be maintained at speeds 120 km/h-350 km/h (or even up to 500 km/h depending on the frequency band)

Spectrum flexibility: scalable to operate in 1.4, 3, 5, 10, 15 and 20 MHz allocations: uplink and downlinkpaired and unpaired

Co-existence with GERAN/3G on adjacent channels; with other operators on adjacent channels; overlapping or adjacent spectrum at country borders; handover with UTRAN & GERAN

LTE radio network products incorporate several features to simplify building and management of next-generation networks. Plug-and-play, self-configuration and self-optimization simplify and reduce network rollout and management cost. LTE is being deployed alongside simplified, IP-based core and transport networks that are easier to build, maintain and introduce services on. The 3GPP core network has also undergone System Architecture Evolution, optimized for packet mode and the IP-Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) to support all access technologies, including fixed access. This allows:

Improvements in latency, capacity, throughput Simplification of the core network, and optimization

for IP traffic, services, and growth

Simplified support and handover to non-3GPP access technologies

The resulting evolved packet system comprizes the core network, evolved packet core (EPC) and radio network. The whole system is often called LTE. LTE Category 4 enables 150 Mbps peak downlink and is the next evolution step which is market reality on a number of networks with user devices available. LTE TDD Systems Most LTE deployments use paired spectrum (FDD). The LTE TDD mode for unpaired spectrum is complementary and the perfect choice for providing high-speed mobile broadband access in unpaired spectrum. LTE TDD is gaining market traction globally, and also provides a future-proof evolutionary path for TD-SCDMA, another 3GPP standard, as widely deployed in China. LTE TDD is an integral part of the 3GPP standard, implementing a maximum of commonalities with LTE FDD and offering comparable performance characteristics and similar high spectral efficiency. Within globally assigned IMT bands for mobile services, significant resources are suitable for LTE TDD. The largest contiguous bands are 2.3 GHz (100 MHz) and within the 2.6 GHz band (50 MHz according to the CEPT band plan). There are also many deployments in progress or planned using 3.5 GHz (bands 42/43), which has significant future potential for LTE. Due to the demand for radio technologies for unpaired bands and leveraging the commonalities above, LTE TDD can exploit global economies of scale similar to LTE FDD, with a short time to market as a mainstream technology, and is thus an ideal path for WiMAX operators to grow their business, which many are adopting. LTE TDD operator commitments, system maturity and status of the devices eco-system are covered in this report. LTE-Advanced Systems LTE FDD and LTE TDD have a clear evolution towards LTE-Advanced which includes many features originally considered for the ITUs IMT-Advanced system. In October 2010 the ITU designated LTE-Advanced as an IMT-Advanced (4G) system. IMT-Advanced provides a global platform on which to build next-generations of interactive mobile services for faster data access, enhanced roaming, unified messaging and broadband multimedia. LTE-

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Advanced test systems are operating around the world, achieving transmission data rates of 1 GB/s on the downlink and 200 Mbps on the uplink. Multi-carrier LTE (an LTE-Advanced feature) is commercially launched. 3GPP published Release 10 of the standard in March 2011 and froze the features set for LTE-Advanced. Completion of Rel. 10 was the final step to ensure that the 3GPP radio interface will meet the requirements of IMT-Advanced. Several operators are preparing to introduce LTE-Advanced features in their networks in 2013.

LTE-Advanced capabilities As is the case with current work on HSPA Evolution (HSPA+), LTE work will continue beyond the current Release. It is a well-proven method in 3GPP that work is allowed to carry on, but is punctuated by a series of Releases, allowing the industry to make products and plan services from that point on. At the plenary meeting of TSG SA in September 2012, Release 11 of the 3GPP specification sets for GSM, UMTS and LTE-Advanced (and access-agnostic) systems was functionally frozen. However, a further few months are needed before all specifications can be considered complete as some features are not yet fully specified. More about 3GPP standards at www.3gpp.org

LTE networks, developments global round-up Americas USA On September 21, 2010 regional carrier MetroPCS became the first operator in the USA to launch LTE. MetroPCS offered the worlds first commercially available LTE handset, the Samsung Craft. Service was launched in Las Vegas, extended to Dallas/Forth Worth, Detroit, Boston, Sacramento and New York. Samsung SCH-R900/Craft was also the first multi-mode CDMA-LTE handset. LTE network expansion continues. MetroPCS had 2.2 million LTE subs by end 2012 and has agreed to merge with T Mobile USA, subject to shareholder approval at its meeting on April 12, 2013. Verizon Wireless commercially launched LTE using 700 MHz (band 13) on December 5, 2010. Verizon said coverage would match its 3G network by 2013. LTE service is available to over 90% of the population (287 million people, company website - May 2013). Verizon is now deploying LTE using AWS, targeting commercial service in 2H 2013. Verizon plans to deploy VoLTE late 2013-early 2014. Through its LTE in Rural America program Verizon works with partners to collaboratively build and operate an LTE network that covers over 2.6 million people in rural communities over 82,000 square miles by sharing its 700 MHz Upper C block spectrum. The current 19 LTE in Rural America participants are:

Appalachian Wireless Kentucky Bluegrass Cellular - Kentucky Cellcom Wisconsin and Michigan Chariton Valley Missouri Chat Mobility - Iowa Clear Stream - North Carolina Convergence Technologies Indiana Copper Valley Telecom - Alaska Cross Telephone - Oklahoma Custer Telephone Cooperative Idaho KPU - Alaska Matanuska Telephone Association Alaska MTPCS Montana, Louisiana, Texas NorthwestCell Missouri Pioneer Cellular Oklahoma

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Sagebrush Cellular (Nemont) Dakota, Montana

S and R Communications - Indiana Strata Networks Utah Thumb Cellular - Michigan

Pioneer Cellular launched commercial LTE service on April 30, 2012. Cellcom launched commercial LTE service on April 30, 2012 in Green Bay, Sturgeon Bay, Appleton, Oshkosh, Wausau, Oconto and Marinette Counties. Bluegrass Cellular launched commercial LTE service on November 5, 2012 covering 348,000 population. Sprocket Wireless (brand of Cross Telephone) commercially launched its first phase of 4G LTE service including portions of the Muskogee and Pittsburg counties in Eastern Oklahoma on November 9th, 2012. Strata Networks launched commercial service on November 19, 2012. Thumb Cellular commercially launched 700 MHz LTE service in December 2012. KPU Telecommunications (Alaska) i.e. Ketchikan Public Utilities plans to lease a 22 MHz block from Verizon Wireless. AT&T Mobility commercially launched LTE service on September 18, 2011 in 700 MHz (band 17) in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio. The LTE network is now live in 222 markets (May 8, 2013 company website) and is planned to cover 300 million people by end 2014. AT&T plans to close its GSM network by 2017 latest, and intends to re-farm the spectrum to support its 3G and 4G networks. In January 2013 AT&T announced plans to pay Verizon Wireless the sum of US$ 1.9 billion for 700 MHz B band spectrum covering 42 million people in 18 states, plus AWS spectrum in markets including Phoenix, Los Angeles, Fresno, and Portland. All of this spectrum will be used for LTE. The deal could be completed in 2H 2013 and is subject to regulatory approval. VoLTE will be deployed by end 2013. T-Mobile USA commercially launched LTE service on March 26, 2013 in AWS spectrum. The target is to reach 100 millions population coverage by mid-2013, and 200 millions by end of 2013. Service is available at launch in Baltimore, Houston, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Phoenix, San Jose, and Washington, D.C. MiSpot, a new subsidiary of Agri-Valley Communication, commercially launched 700 MHz LTE service on March 14, 2013 to residents and

small businesses in rural communities in 37 counties in northern and central Michigan. Aircell aims to use LTE to boost its in-flight network capacity if sufficient spectrum is obtained. Bay Area Regional Interoperable Communications System (BayRICS) vision was established by the 10 Bay Area Counties and 3 core cities, San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose in 2006 through the creation of a strategic plan with the goal of providing voice and data interoperability throughout the Bay Area region. BayRICS is a state of the art communications system-of-systems. Bay Area Wireless Enhanced Broadband (BayWEB) is the broadband component of BayRICS which has acquired 700 MHz in which an LTE-based public safety system is intended to be deployed. In April 2011, the first public-safety LTE pilot network in the San Francisco Bay Area was tested. These tests were commissioned by the East Bay Communications System Authority, which oversaw the pilot LTE network deployment. BendBroadband announced on May 17, 2012 that the company had upgraded its network, making it the first carrier in Central Oregon to offer commercial LTE service. BendBroadband announced it would shut down its HSPA+ wireless network at end June 2012 after which it will only offer the LTE service. C Spire Wireless holds 700 MHz band 12 spectrum for most of Mississippi, Tennessee and Alabama and commercially launched LTE service on September 10, 2012 in McComb, Brookhaven, Meridian and Greenville. Due to limited device support for band 12, C Spire currently uses only band 25 (1850 1915 / 1930 - 1995 MHz) for LTE and service is available in 36 markets (March 1, 2013 company website). CenturyLink plans to deploy LTE in 700 MHz, after spending USD 149 million in the 700 MHz auction on 69 A and B block concessions.. Enhanced Telecommunications Corporation (ETC) is deploying an LTE network in Indiana. Leap Wireless' Cricket subsidiary commercially launched LTE on December 21, 2011 in Tucson in AWS spectrum. Coverage for Las Vegas was announced in October 2012. Cricket planned to cover 21 million POPs by end 2012, and introduce several

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LTE smartphones. Leap Wireless signed a 5-year wholesale agreement with Clearwire for capacity off-load. CDMA operator Alaska Communications (ACS) commercially launched 4G/LTE service in AWS spectrum on October 12, 2012 in Anchorage, Fairbanks and Juneau. Initial devices included Samsung Galaxy SIII, Galaxy Note, and the BandLuxe 4G LTE Wireless Router. Clearwire Corp. is deploying LTE TDD in 2496 2690 MHz (Band 41) and released results of trials carried out on LTE TDD and FDD systems in Phoenix, Arizona. Clearwire is a member of the Global TD-LTE Initiative, and in August 2011 committed to deploy an LTE overlay, incorporating key features of LTE-Advanced. The LTE TDD mode is expected to be deployed in 20 MHz of spectrum with 2,000 LTE TDD sites operating by June 2013, at which time VoLTE will also be supported. Sprint commercially launched LTE FDD service on July 15, 2012 in 10 MHz of existing 1900 MHz spectrum (band 25) in 15 cities: Atlanta, Athens, Calhoun, Carrollton, Newnan and Rome, Ga.; Dallas, Fort Worth, Granbury-Hood County, Houston, Huntsville, San Antonio and Waco, Texas; and St. Joseph and Kansas City, Mo.. Initial smartphones offered include HTC EVO 4G LTE, Galaxy Nexus, LG Viper 4G LTE, and Samsung Galaxy SIII. The Sierra Wireless 4G LTE Tri-Fi Hotspot is also offered. Sprint plans to use 2.5 GHz in future and also use 800 MHz (ESMR spectrum) by moving iDEN customers onto its CDMA PTT service. Sprint confirmed LTE coverage served 58 markets (mid-March 2013, company website) and plans to have 250 million LTE pops coverage by end 2013 and continue fill in of smaller markets with LTE from early 2014. Sprint said it would not sell WiMAX service after 2012 and is deploying LTE-Advanced technology in 800 MHz in 2013 using 3GPP Release 10 in a 10 x 10 configuration. Softbank (Japan) plans to buy 70% of Sprint Nextel for $20.1bn, subject to shareholders and regulators approval, and could be completed by mid-2013. Shenandoah Telecommunications (Shentel) is an affiliate of Sprint Nextel having access to the latters 800 and 1900 MHz spectrum in return for building a

compatible LTE network. Shentel launched commercial LTE service on November 23, 2012 in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. In May 2013 the company confirmed that LTE coverage had reached 75% of its network footprint. As part of a $32.1 million stimulus grant, Commnet Wireless, LLC (subsidiary of Atlantic Tele-Network Inc.) will develop and operate an LTE network in the Navajo Nation. The grant, plus partial matching funds, will provide broadband infrastructure access to the Navajo Nation across Arizona, New Mexico and Utah, enabling fixed and mobile service for over 30,000 households (c. 135,000 people) and 1,000 businesses in 15 of the largest communities in the Navajo Nation, including Window Rock, Shiprock, Kayenta, Chinle, and Tuba City. The project will also provide high-capacity connectivity on the combined middle-mile backbone to 49 more tribal communities. Satellite TV provider Dish Network applied to the FCC in August 2011 for approval to deploy LTE-Advanced in S-band Mobile Satellite Services (MSS) spectrum bought from TerreStar, added to spectrum acquired from the purchase of satellite company DBSD North America, for a total of 40 MHz (2000-2020 MHz and 2180-2200 MHz). This spectrum is now known as AWS-4. FCC granted formal approval to DISH on December 11, 2012 subject to specificed power level restrictions to avoid interference to the adjacent AWS-H spectrum which is scheduled to be auctioned. AWS-H comprises 1915 1920 MHz (uplink) and 1995 2000 MHz (downlink), which is adjacent to PCS-G spectrum occupied by Sprint. In March 2012 the FCC issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for stand-alone terrestrial services using 2 GHz MSS spectrum. If the waiver is allowed, LTE-Advanced service is not anticipated before 2016. Greenfield operator Lightsquared is planning to deploy the first US wholesale-only LTE network, and selected its infrastructure supplier for deployment using 1.4 to 1.6 GHz, mostly (46 MHz) in L-Band. However the company must work through major regulatory obstacles because the FCC ruled that its proposed operating frequency interferes with GPS and aircraft flight safety systems. Lightsquared filed for bankruptcy in May 2012 in order to try to continue operations, and has control over its Chapter 11 status as the company continues its reorganization efforts.

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Rural CDMA operator Mosaic Telecom (NW Wisconsin) holds 700 MHz and AWS spectrum and launched commercial LTE service in July 2011. NetAmerica Alliance LLC aims to help bring LTE mobile broadband services to 700 MHz and AWS spectrum holders for consumers and businesses in smaller markets and rural areas. NetAmerica joins forces with rural independent license holders deploying new converged 4G mobile/fixed networks and provide them with business and network services including combined buying power, nationwide branding, 24x7 network monitoring, core networking elements, apps development and other key services. www.netAmericaAlliance.com Network operators Etex Telephone Cooperative, Panhandle Telephone Cooperative, Peoples Telephone Cooperative, and S&T Telephone Cooperative/Communications are committed to LTE network deployments and joined NetAmerica Alliance. On October 26, 2011, NetAmerica Alliance announced a live LTE pilot network. NetAmerica Alliance members are using the pilot network to develop, test and refine operating methodologies prior to turn-up of commercial service. Peoples Telephone Cooperative launched commercial LTE service in rural Texas on February 14, 2012 having replaced its WiMAX offer with LTE in 700 MHz. The initial service phase moved over 200 residential users from WiMAX to LTE in Eastern Texas. Panhandle (PTCI) owns spectrum covering six counties comprised of more than 45,000 people, nearly 20,000 households and covers over 7,500 square miles. PTCI launched commercial LTE service at end March 2012, initially in rural Oklahoma; the network consists of 45 towers covering 5,000 square miles and 30,000 population covered. O2 Secure Wireless, an Internet communications company, has embarked on phase one of its LTE network strategy. The company plans to provide coverage to over 500,000 customers in under-served or unserved markets in Florida, Kentucky, Mississippi, Alabama, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Public Service Wireless is deploying a 700 MHz LTE network in central and south-west Georgia.

South Georgia Regional Information Technology Authority is deploying a 700MHz LTE system. WiMAX operator SpeedConnect is deploying infrastructure in Michigan that includes LTE and WiMAX technologies. Texas Energy Network (TEN) is deploying an LTE network, initially targeting the oil and gas industries beginning with the Eagle Ford Shale region. United Wireless has added LTE to its CDMA network and deployed its LTE network in 700 MHz band 12 spectrum, planning to launch when sufficient devices for this band are available. US Cellular in partnership with King Street Wireless commercially launched 700 MHz LTE service on March 22, 2012 in selected cities in Iowa, Maine, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Texas and Wisconsin. 30 new markets were activated on November 5, 2012. By end of 2012, 58% of its customer base were covered by LTE, planned to rise to 87% by end 2013. VTel Wireless is deploying an LTE network in rural Vermont, to be completed by December 2013. West Central Wireless, subsidiary of Central Texas Telephone Cooperative, is deploying an LTE network. The company also uses LTE for fixed wireless services in the 700 MHz band, though this is not used by its mobile subscribers, but will be offered on a wholesale basis to other carriers. US regional operator Penasco Valley Telecommunications (PVT) is deploying an LTE network in the states of New Mexico and Texas, which will operate under the Fuego Wireless brand. CDMA operator nTelos Wireless, which serves Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia is deploying an LTE network targeting service launch by end 2013 in selected markets. The company said devices will support bands 2, 4 and 25. On January 25, 2011 the FCC mandated LTE for first responders (public safety communications). Mandating of a single technology by the FCC is unprecedented. The Order and FNPRM requires all 700 MHz public safety mobile broadband networks to

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use a common air interface, specifically LTE, to support roaming and interoperable communications. The City of Charlotte Council awarded a contract in October 2011 for an LTE Public Safety Network in the dedicated Public Safety 700 MHz band. On April 26, 2012 two key members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Communications and Technology - Congressman Cliff Stearns and Congresswoman Doris Matsui, introduced a bill (H.R 4817) calling for re-purposing and pairing of the 1755-1850 MHz band with the internationally harmonized 2155 2180 MHz band (FCC's AWS-3). H.R. 4817 would require pairing and auction within three years of February 22, 2012. The President would be required to clear 1755-1780 MHz within 5 years unless it can be shown that relocation of a particular government assignment is not possible "without jeopardizing essential military capability." If H.R. 4817 is enacted and the paired 50 MHz block is auctioned and put into use in the near term, it would be a big step toward lessening the "spectrum crunch". PUBLIC SAFETY Band 14 (788-798/758-768 MHz) Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department

(LVMPD) trialling LTE in band 14. Miami-Dade police trialling LTE in band 14

The Iowa Statewide Interoperable Communications System Board (ISICSB) issued a request for proposals (RFP) for industry-funded, LTE public safety broadband network proof-of-concept demonstrations (LTE PSBND), which will be used to educate public safety and officials at the federal, state, county, local, and tribal levels about LTE statewide public safety wireless communications systems. Proposals were requested by June 19, with Iowa state planning to award a contract running from July 1, 2012 until June 30, 2013. (GovWin blog) The FCC has adopted revised rules to enable Wireless Communications Service (WCS) licensees' to use up to 30 MHz of underutilized 2.3 GHz spectrum for wireless broadband services. 20 MHz may be used for mobile broadband, leaving 10 MHz for fixed broadband, which in future may be used as a downlink path for mobile broadband users.

Canada Rogers Wireless launched Canadas first commercial LTE service on July 7, 2011 in Ottawa. Coverage reached 60% of population (October 1, 2012) and is planned to cover 95 markets in 2103. On September 19, 2012 Rogers announced the 2600 MHz enabled version of the LG Optimus G LTE smartphone would be exclusively available from Rogers. In April 2013 the company said it would be first to launch the BlackBerry Q10 smartphone on its 2.6 GHz LTE spectrum. The 2600 MHz band is little used in Canada, and is facilitated by Rogers and Bell in their partnership company Inukshuk Wireless which built a network using pre-WiMAX technology but was later shelved. Rogers statement: The Rogers LTE 2600 MHz bandwidth is in all markets where we offer LTE AWS 2100. In most markets where 2 x 20MHz (2600 MHz) is available, the LG Optimus G is capable of theoretical max speeds of up to 100 Mbps. In smaller LTE markets that have 2 x 10 MHz (2600 MHz), the LG Optimus G can reach theoretical max speeds of up to 75Mbps. The LG Optimus G went on sale November 13, 2012. In May 2013 Rogers its dual-band AWS/2.6 GHz LTE network as LTE Max. Bell Mobility commercially launched LTE in Toronto, Mississauga, Hamilton, Kitchener-Waterloo and Guelph on September 14, 2011 and now covers 67% of the population (BCE 2012 Full Year Results). Customers outside LTE coverage fallback to DC-HSPA+ or HSPA+. EastLink simultaneously commercially launched HSPA+ and LTE services in 2100 MHz spectrum (AWS) on February 15, 2013. TELUS launched commercial LTE service on February 10, 2012 and coverage has now reached nearly 70% of the population (March 2013). MTS Allstream commercially launched LTE service on September 25, 2012 commencing in Manitoba. LTE service is available in Winnipeg and Brandon. SaskTel launched commercial LTE service in 2100 MHz (AWS) spectrum on January 31, 2013 in Regina, Saskatoon, Clavet, Dundurn, Langham, Lumsden, Martensville, Osler, Pense, Vanscoy, Warman, and

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White City. In 2013 the LTE network will be extended to Dalmeny, Balgonie, Estevan, Moose Jaw, North Battleford, Prince Albert, Swift Current, Weyburn and Yorkton. Future phases are dependent on SaskTel being successful in the 700 MHz auction expected in November 2013. VoLTE will be deployed in 2013. Sasktel has also awarded a trial contract using LTE TDD to help determine the feasibility of wireless broadband and voice services for customers in predominantly rural locations. The trial is being conducted in rural locations in Saskatchewan and runs from December 2012 until August 2013. Wind Mobile confirmed an LTE trial in February 2011. Videotron plans to deploy LTE. Rural WiMAX operator Xplornet Communications announced on December 8, 2011 completion of LTE TDD tests in 2.6 GHz and 3.5 GHz bands. The trials demonstrated a seamless LTE TDD option over existing WiMAX infrastructure, offering a smooth migration path from WiMAX to LTE TDD. The 3.5 GHz trial used the same band that Xplornet uses for WiMAX. The current network has 380 tower sites (early 2013). The 2.6 GHz trial was enabled by a development license from regulator Industry Canada. Industry Canada is planning to auction 700 MHz (aligning with the US band plan) on November 19, 2013 and auction 2.6 GHz spectrum within a year of the 700 MHz auction. Antigua and Barbuda Digicel launched commercial 4G LTE services using 700 MHz (band 17) on November 6, 2012. LTE covers 70% of the population (January 2013). Argentina Telefonica Movistar completed lab trials of LTE in March 2010, and a field trial in 2010 in Buenos Aires, in AWS spectrum. Personal tested LTE in Puerto Madero (June 2010), and in December 2010 announced a trial in Cordoba. Regulator SECOM announced on September 5, 2012 it would allocate to state-owned operator Arsat all the

850 MHz and 1900 MHz spectrum returned by Movistar when parent Telefonica bought some of the assets of former operator Movicom from Bell South. According to reports, spectrum in the AWS band will be auctioned in 2013 for LTE network deployments. Bahamas The Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) on August 13, 2012 awarded a 15 years 700 MHz license (24 MHz) to BTC. The announcement followed evaluation of 5 license applications, two of which were rejected as failing the minimum criteria, one application is pending approvals from other business investment and licensing bodies. The new license has coverage obligations. BTC has exclusivity in mobile services to April 2014 and plans LTE network rollout from January 2013, with services commencing within a few months. Cable TV operator Cable Bahamas Limited (CBL) is also expected to receive a license. Belize BTL (DigiCell) is deploying an LTE upgrade to its GSM network. Bermuda Fixed telecoms operator North Rock Communications has requested from the regulator a license to deploy and operate an LTE network. Bolivia Entel Movil launched the countrys first commercial LTE service on December 16, 2012 in La Paz, Cochabamba and Santa Cruz in 700 MHz and plans LTE service in all 337 municipalities by mid-2014. Regulator Telecommunications and Transport Supervising and Regulating Authorities (ATT) is intending to auction spectrum in 2013, which is expected to include blocks in 700 MHz, 900 MHz, 1.7/2.1 GHz (AWS), 1.9 GHz & 2.6 GHz bands. Brazil The auction of 2.6 GHz LTE spectrum by regulator Anatel was concluded on June 12, 2012 with the

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winners being Vivo (2 x 20 MHz MHz), Claro (2 x 20 MHz), TIM (2 x 10 MHz) and Oi (2 x 10 MHz). As no separate bids for 450 MHz spectrum were made, regulator Anatel bundled the unsold channels with the new 2.6 GHz concessions. Commercial LTE services are required to be launched in 2013 including the cities hosting the FIFA Confederations Cup football matches - Belo Horizonte, Brasilia, Fortaleza, Recife, Rio de Janeiro and Salvador by April 2013. The tournament begins in June 2013. The auction included spectrum suitable for TDD deployments, acquired by Sky Brasil Servicos and Sunrise Telecomunicacoes, the latter for Sao Paulo state. Sky Brasil Servicos commercially launched 2.6 GHz LTE TDD (band 38) in Brasilia on December 13, 2011 Sunrise changed its name to On Telecomunicacoes and commercially launched 2.6 GHz LTE TDD service in band 38 in Itatiba, Louveira, Valinhos and Vinhedo in March 2013. This will serve as a test bed for possible expansion to all of Sao Paulo state. Claro commercially launched LTE FDD service on December 13, 2012 in Recife, Campos do Jordao, Buzios and Parat, using 2.6 GHz spectrum. Service was subsequently opened in Curitiba on January 29, 2013 and Porto Alegre on March 7, 2013. Oi commercially launched LTE service on April 25, 2013 in Rio de Janeiro. The company planned to extend LTE services to Belo Horizonte, Braslia. Fortaleza, Recife, and Salvador during May 2013. TIM and Oi use shared LTE network infrastructure in the cities hosting the Confederations Cup matches. TIM Brasil commercially launched LTE service on April 30, 2013 in the six Confederations Cup venues. Vivo commercially launched its LTE network on April 30, 2013 in Sao Paulo in addition to the six Confederations Cup venues. The Sao Paulo military police force is testing LTE in 700 MHz, trialling with 5 base stations. The Brazil Army is testing LTE in 700MHz for public security solutions. The network was installed in September 2011 at two sites in Brasilia covering Esplanada dos Ministrios, and Communications Center and the Army Electronic Warfare (CCOMGEX)

CPqD tested LTE in 450 MHz reportedly in Campinas. Tests were also made using 2.6 GHz. Algar Telecom (CTBC) has conducted LTE trials in 850 MHz and 1800 MHz. Regulatory approval is needed for commercial services in these frequencies. Anatel auctioned 15 lots of spectrum sub-bands on December 6, 2011 for USD 132.7 million. 39 lots were not auctioned, including 29 for WiMAX. TIM, Oi and Sercomtel bought spectrum in the 1800 MHz band. Claro bought spectrum in the 800 MHz band. Discussions are planned on use of 700 MHz after digital TV switchover (2016). Anatel has adopted the APT700 band thus aligning with other countries in the region including Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama and Uruguay. Anatel has put the matter to a public consultation which lasts for 45 days from February 21, 2013 after which a public hearing will be held. 3.5 GHz spectrum may be auctioned later. Chile Regulator Subtel announced in July 2012 that Movistar, Entel and Claro had each won 2 x 20 MHz spectrum in the 2.6 GHz auction. Conditions include an obligation to roll out nationwide within 12 months. The other incumbents, Nextel and VTR, did not bid. In September 2012 Claro confirmed plans to commercially launch LTE in 2013. A 100-user trial has opened in Santiago. Entel PCS completed an LTE trial at the Universidad de Chile, selected its infrastructure system vendor, and is planning commercial launch in 2013. Movistar is deploying a commercial LTE network. Subtel confirmed adoption of the APT700 band plan for 700 MHz (FDD) which is scheduled to be auctioned for LTE deployments in mid-2013. Colombia UNE-EPM launched commercial LTE service on June 14, 2012 in 2.6 GHz spectrum in Bogot and Medelln, gaining 40,000 subscriptions by end 2012.

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The Ministry of ICT (MinTIC) December 29, 2011 invited expressions of interest to participate in an auction of Band IV (AWS), Band II (PCS1900) and Band VII (2.6 GHz) for 4G/LTE use. The auction was delayed and is expected to be start on June 26, 2013. 10 companies confirmed interest in bidding, local as well as foreign operators. Tigo intends to participate and confirmed plans to deploy a commercial LTE network. Nextel and Avantel are amongst the new players expressing interest in the auctions. MinTIC plans to auction for 4G/LTE:

3 blocks of 30 MHz each in the AWS spectrum; one block reserved for new players

3 blocks of 30 MHz and 1 block of 40 MHz in 2.6 GHz spectrum; 1 block reserved for new players

5 MHz of 3G/1.9 GHz will also be offered The proposed merger between Tigo and UNE-EPM received approval from the Medellin council on May 6. Approval is required from regulatory authorities. Regulator ANE has adopted the APT700 band plan. Costa Rica Claro, ICE & Movistar are interested to deploy LTE. Pan Latin American WiMAX operator IBW International, with operations in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Nicaragua is planning to migrate to 2.3 GHz LTE TDD technology. Dominican Republic Orange Dominicana launched commercial LTE service in Santo Domingo on July 9, 2012, using 1800 MHz spectrum (LTE1800). Tricom commercially launched LTE using 1900 MHz (band 2) spectrum on March 18, 2013. The network initially covers the National District, metropolitan zone of Santiago and other principal cities. Ecuador The Telecommunication and Information Society Ministry (MINTEL) announced the National Broadband Plan is to be strengthened to assist development of high speed Internet access to underserved areas. New measures include a

resolution to implement LTE in all regions. Considering the benefits of the new mobile technologies, the Telecommunication and Information Society Ministry (MINTEL) and the National Secretary of Telecommunications (SENATEL) organized various events to demonstrate new mobile technologies like LTE, in order to increase the technological and social development. The government seeks to publicize the benefits of the new mobile technologies to the society in general. CONATEL advised GSA about several LTE-focused events and trials held or planned in Ecuador. With LTE comes the opportunity to deploy networks and services, in some areas for the first time. The government has developed the National Broadband Plan, whose main objective is to provide Internet services in underserved areas and technologically isolated amongst the main goals, to achieve by 2017 at least 75% of Ecuador's population with access to broadband. To help fulfill these goals and objectives, CONATEL approved the re-allocation of frequency bands for the introduction of IMT systems as follows: 700 MHz band: 90 MHz AWS band: 120 MHz 2.5/2.6 GHz band: 190 MHz

With this decision, Ecuador continues taking concrete steps leading to the introduction of new technologies to promote broadband access. (This information was kindly provided to GSA by CONATEL August 2012). In October 2012 CONATEL announced its adoption of the APT700 band plan. State-owned operator CNT has been allocated 30 MHz in the 700 MHz band and 40 MHz in the 1700/2100 MHz (AWS) band for its LTE network and plans to launch commercial service by June 2013. This allocation has the additional objective to encourage the deployment of telecommunications networks with new technologies such as LTE standard, thereby facilitating the introduction of mobile broadband services, whose benefits have an impact on the technical, social and economic issues. At the same time, CONATEL ordered the formation of an Interagency Commission, in order to define the conditions and demands that the public operator should comply with for use of authorized frequency

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blocks, which need to be consistent with the National Broadband Plan and Good Living Plan. CONATEL has also requested the Interagency Commission to present alternatives for allocating radio spectrum to private operators (established or incoming) in the bands that are currently allocated in the National Frequency Plan for IMT services. El Salvador Pan Latin American WiMAX() operator IBW International, operating in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Nicaragua, is planning to migrate its operations to 2.3 GHz LTE TDD technology.

Guatemala Regulator SIT said suitable bands for LTE include 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, AWS, and 2.1 GHz. Pan Latin American WiMAX operator IBW International, operating in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Nicaragua is planning to migrate its operations to 2.3 GHz LTE TDD technology. Jamaica Claro is reported to be deploying an LTE system. Digicel has agreed to acquire the company from America Movil. Further announcements are awaited. Mexico On September 21, 2012 the regulator COFETEL confirmed its adoption of the APT band plan for 700 MHz digital dividend spectrum. GSA welcomes this important development which provided a strong signal to the Latin American region - comment: This clearly shows how critical regulators view international harmonization and spectrum efficiency as being. Countries need to move forward in a concerted and harmonized way to meet the requirements on economies of scale for devices and capacity for mobile broadband. Telefnica commercially launched LTE in AWS spectrum on October 15, 2012 in Ciudad de Mxico, and on October 30 in Guadalajara and Monterrey. Telefnica and Iusacell agreed a network sharing arrangement.

Telcel commercially launched LTE in AWS spectrum for post-paid customers on November 6, 2012 in Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey, Queretaro, Puebla, Ciudad Juarez, Tijuana, Hermosillo and Merida, planning to reach 26 markets by Q1 2013. The government plans to auction 700 MHz and 2.6 GHz spectrum. In August 2012 the government said it would not renew spectrum held in the 2.5/2.6 GHz band which would be recalled on expiry. Nicaragua Pan Latin American WiMAX() operator IBW International, operating in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Nicaragua is planning to migrate its operations to 2.3 GHz LTE TDD technology. Panama Cable and Wireless Panama is planning to deploy an LTE network and has identified a network partner. Paraguay Personal commercially launched LTE service in refarmed 1900 MHz spectrum on February 8, 2013, initially in Asuncion and surrounding areas. Network expansion depends on access to more spectrum. Regulator CONATEL plans to auction AWS spectrum. Vox (Copaco) launched commercial LTE service in AWS spectrum on February 18, 2013. Initially Vox launched service using 109 sites of which 89 served Asuncion and the metro area, 14 were in Ciudad del Este, 5 in Encarnacin and 1 in Pilar. A further 100 sites are planned for activation in the coming months. Tigo is planning to deploy LTE in 2.6 GHz spectrum acquired from Grupo Clarin. Peru Movistar has trialled LTE. Ministerio de Transporte y Comunicaciones del Per is expected to auction 2 blocks of AWS spectrum for LTE in 1H 2013. Puerto Rico AT&T Puerto Rico launched commercial LTE service in 700 MHz on November 20, 2011 in San Juan, and

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in Guayama, San German and Yauco in 2012. AT&T also owns 2.6 GHz spectrum. Claro commercially launched 700 MHz LTE service on November 24, 2011 and one year later offered service for dongle, smartphone and tablet users. CDMA operator Open Mobile launched 700 MHz commercial LTE service on April 19, 2012. Sprint Nextel announced commercial launch on December 18, 2012 in 1900 MHz spectrum. T Mobile USA is deploying LTE for launch in 2013. Aeronet Wireless Broadband is deploying a LTE TDD network for backbone and customer access using leased 2.6 GHz spectrum. Turks & Caicos Islands In February 2013 Digicel (700 MHz Lower B and C) and Islandcom (700 MHz Upper C) received licences to deploy commercial LTE networks. LIME did not win a licence. Digicel plans 75% population coverage within 18 months and 98% within 30 months. Uruguay Antel launched commercial LTE services on December 13, 3011 in AWS spectrum in Montevideo and Punta del Este. Antel has requested access to 700 MHz for LTE and awaits the regulators decision, and has announced plans for nationwide deployment. In May 2012 the government passed a Decree governing DTT implementation. Digital broadcasting will start within 12 months and the analog switch off will take place on November 21, 2015. In March 2013 regulator URSEC announced that an award of spectrum had been made to the 3 incumbent mobile operators following a tender process for 900 MHz, 1900 MHz and AWS spectrum. No bids were made for 900 MHz spectrum. Movistar won 4 blocks of 1900 MHz spectrum. Claro won 2 blocks of 1900 MHz and 2 blocks of AWS spectrum.

Antel did not take part in the auction and had to pay for reserved spectrum of 1 block in 900 MHz and 4 blocks of AWS. Claro intends to deploy a commercial LTE network in its newly-acquired AWS spectrum. Movistar is committed to deploy an LTE network. Wireless broadband company Dedicado is planning to invest US$ 5 million in deployment of 4Motion network using WiMAX and LTE in 3.5 GHz. US Virgin Islands AT&T Mobility is deploying LTE on St Croix and St Thomas targeting commercial service in 2013. Venezuela Regulator Conatel issued an invitation for the allocation of 35 MHz paired spectrum bands: 1930-1940 MHz paired with 1850-1860 MHz (band 2) 1945-1955 MHz paired with 1865-1875 MHz (band 2) 1810-1825 MHz paired with 1715-1730 MHz (band 3) Applications were required by June 6, 2012. Movilnet, Movistar, Digitel responded. Digitel was awarded 30 MHz of spectrum in 1800 MHz and 1900 MHz. Movilnet and Movistar each received 20 MHz of extra spectrum in those bands Digitel has announced plans to use part of its 1800 MHz spectrum to launch LTE1800-based service. Movilnet currently uses band 2 for HSPA and has been testing LTE. WiMAX operator Movilmax has a nationwide license with 48 MHz of 2.6 GHz spectrum and announced the company is migrating to LTE. On March 25, 2013 Conatel launched a consultation concerning 2.6 GHz spectrum which could be used for LTE. Comments are required by April 9, 2013.

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Asia Pacific and Oceania Afghanistan Etisalat Afghanistan claims completion of an LTE trial. The regulatory position is unclear. Australia All three mobile operators are deploying LTE1800. Telstra commercially launched LTE1800 service on September 27, 2011 in capital city CBDs (central business districts) and more than 30 regional and metropolitan centers. The NextG network upgrade uses Telstras existing 1800 MHz spectrum refarmed to deliver LTE to areas where traffic demand is most concentrated and is integrated with Telstras existing HSPA+ service in the 850MHz band. Telstra offers dual mode LTE/HSPA+ mobile broadband devices for seamless operation across 1800 MHz and 850 MHz. Telstra is trialling IMS but says it will not rush into voice until coverage is ubiquitous on the LTE layer. Telstra announced activation of its 1,000th LTE base station in May 2012. On November 1, 2012 Telstra reported LTE service availability in 100 major capitals and regional centers, 40% LTE population coverage (rising to 66% by June 2013), 820,000 4G subscriptions at October 2012, and over 100,000 iPhone 5s connected in the previous 4 weeks. In February 2013 Telstra announced plans to deploy LTE in re-farmed 900 MHz spectrum some sites are running already - and is currently trialling LTE-Advanced technologies. Some 2100 MHz spectrum will also be used in the LTE network. Telstra also acquired new APT700 and 2.6 GHz spectrum in the recent auction see below. Also see Telstra blog (by Mike Wright) http://exchange.telstra.com.au/2013/05/07/mobile-spectrum-auction-result Optus conducted an LTE1800 trial for 1,000+ users in Newcastle and Hunter Valley areas of New South Wales. Commercial LTE service launch for small business, enterprise and government customers in Sydney and Perth was confirmed on July 31, 2012 using LTE1800, before a wider launch on September 4, 2012. The Optus 4G (LTE1800) network now

covers areas of Adelaide, Sydney, Perth, Newcastle, Melbourne, Brisbane and the Gold Coast. Optus acquired Vivid Wireless giving access to 98 MHz of 2.3 GHz spectrum. Optus has opened its trial network for LTE TDD at the Optus Campus in Macquarie Park and St Marys in western Sydney. The first public demonstration achieved peak site throughput speeds over 200 Mbps and a consistent per-user range between 25 Mbps and 87 Mbps. In May 2012 Optus and Vodafone announced a major site sharing roaming deal, subject to ACCC approval. Optus also acquired new APT700 and 2.6 GHz spectrum in the recent auction see below. Vodafone Hutchison Australia (VHA) confirmed results of its first LTE1800 trial in Q4 2010 in Newcastle, NSW using 10 MHz of 1800 MHz. A second trial in Sydney followed. In September 2011 VHA announced that an agreement between the company and the Australasian Railway Association, which holds licences for 1800 MHz spectrum, to create contiguous blocks of spectrum in NSW, Victoria and South Australia, had been approved by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). VHA will use 20 MHz of 1800 MHz (LTE1800) for commercial services. Upgrading of the network (around 5,800 2G and 3G base station sites) is underway. The company confirmed commercial LTE1800 service will be launched in June 2013. NBN Co was established to design, build and operate the national broadband network and is deploying 2.3GHz LTE TDD for fixed-wireless broadband to serve rural Australia with download speeds of up to 12 Mbps and upload speeds reaching 1 Mbps, ensuring a significant improvement on existing services. NBN Co launched LTE TDD commercial wholesale services to customers on 2 April, 2012. There are currently 15 service providers who are accredited to provide services over the network and NBN Co is installing services for them across four locations in Australia, expanding to a national footprint covering 4% of the population by the end of 2015. This locks in with the same product set being offered over fibre and satellite to make the total picture of 100% population coverage. Retail price packages are available from *SkyMesh, iiNet, and Activ8Me (source: NBN Co provided to GSA) EnergyAustralias Ausgrid trialled an LTE platform at 15 sites in 2011, with the intent to migrate to a full

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LTE network. EnergyAustralia was chosen by the Government to lead the Smart Grid, Smart City demonstration project to test Australias first fully integrated, commercial-scale smart grid. WiMAX operator BigAir manages one of the largest metropolitan fixed wireless networks in Australia and has confirmed plans to deploy LTE for commercial service, expected in the 2013 timeframe. An auction by ACMA of 700 MHz APT700 digital dividend spectrum (for use from January 1, 2015) and 2.6 GHz spectrum (for use from October 1, 2014 in most places) began on April 23, 2013. Results were announced on May 7, 2013. All three biddersOptus Mobile, Telstra and TPG Internetsecured spectrum in the auction, resulting in total revenues of nearly AUS$2 billion. Vodafone Hutchison Australia withdrew before the auction. Results summary: APT700 band winners: Optus 2 x 10 MHz Telstra 2 x 20 MHz 2.6 GHz band winners: Optus 2 x 20 MHz Telstra 2 x 40 MHz TPG Internet 2 x 10 MHz More information with prices: http://engage.acma.gov.au/digitaldividend/digital-dividend-auction-results/ TPG Internet is a nationwide fixed telecoms service provider and holds international assets (submarine cable). The company plans to deploy LTE. ACMA is consulting on proposals for prioritizing more spectrum for mobile broadband including changing the status of the 3.4 3.6 GHz band to primary from secondary, and is suitable for LTE. ACMA is also evaluating the merits of using the 400 MHz band for interoperable government wireless communications. Bangladesh The Ministry of Post and Telecommunications has published a draft proposal for awarding 6 combined

3G and LTE licences; 50 MHz of 1900 MHz spectrum in five lots of 10 MHz paired is being made available. www.mopt.gov.bd/all%20backup/Draft_3G_4G_LTE_Guideline.pdf Bhutan Bhutan Telecom is deploying a network upgrade that includes LTE1800 initially for the capital, Thimpu. Brunei Regulator AITI is consulting on releasing spectrum in the 1800 MHz band suitable for LTE deployments. Comments were required by December 14, 2012. China China Mobile built its TD-SCDMA network so that sites and other elements are reusable for LTE TDD. China Mobile ran a pilot of LTE TDD technology until September 2011 using 850 base stations in 6 cities in Phase 1 working with several infrastructure, devices and chipset vendors. This followed a large-scale showcase trial network during the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai. The second phase of trials involved 13 cities and 7 suppliers and trial LTE TDD networks have recently been activated in 2 new cities - Hangzhou and Wenzhou in Zhejiang province. China Mobile plans to have 200,000 LTE TDD base sites covering more than 100 cities by end 2013. Commercial service launch is anticipated in 2013-2014 timeframe. China Mobile has 1.9 GHz, 2.0 GHz, 2.3 GHz and 2.6 GHz bands (classified as F, A, E and D bands). Trials use the D and F bands. China Mobile will initially procure 1.24 million TD-LTE terminal devices, made up of 800,000 portable Mi-Fi hotspots, 320,000 indoor CPE units and 120,000 dongles, according to press reports. China Mobile expects LTE TDD smartphones to be launched in Q3 2013. During ITU Telecom World, Dubai, October, 2012 it was announced that China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology MIIT has decided to allocate 2.6GHz (band 41 as used by Sprint, USA) ranging from 2500-2690 MHz i.e. the entire band of 190 MHz for the deployment and application of LTE TDD. This announcement made at the most authoritative meeting offered great confidence in the development of LTE TDD to the global industry and market.

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According to reports, MIIT also announced in October 2012 that 60 MHz in each of the 1800 MHz and 2100 MHz bands, i.e. a total of 120 MHz, will be allocated for LTE FDD FDD-LTE. China Telecom plans to launch an LTE service, expected in 2013, which will be integrated with CDMA systems in 17 provinces. LTE deployment timescales of China Unicom, which is testing FDD, are unclear at this time. In Hong Kong SAR, 2 x 15 MHz blocks of 2.6 GHz spectrum were obtained via auction each by China Mobile HK (Peoples Phone), Genius Brand (Hutchison Telecom/PCCW JV) and CSL Limited. On November 25, 2010 CSL Limited commercially launched its combined LTE2600/1800/DC-HSPA+ network for corporate services, extended to all customers on May 16, 2011. LTE1800 sites have been added incrementally. Although the first LTE1800 site was on air at the initial launch, now LTE1800 is more widely available in several in-building locations and in general commercial use (shown in this report to be from November 2011 as advised to us by CSL). Genius Brand is deploying a city-wide LTE network of approximately 2,000 base stations on which Hutchison and PCCW operate their respective commercial LTE services. PCCW launched commercial LTE service in 2.6 GHz spectrum on April 25, 2012. Its Mobile (+Wi-Fi) broadband service Netvigator Everywhere is supported by territory-wide 42Mbps DC-HSPA+ service integrated with the companys 100 Mbps Wi-Fi (almost 10,000 hotspots) in an auto-connect/ traffic off-load arrangement. LTE using 1800 MHz (LTE1800) was brought into commercial service in September 2012. From January 22, LTE coverage will be expanded to include the major MTR lines (the Hong Kong underground train network). Hutchison 3 HK is deploying a combined LTE FDD and TDD network and in the first phase launched its commercial LTE FDD service using 2.6 GHz spectrum on May 2, 2012. LTE using 1800 MHz (LTE1800) was brought into commercial service in October 2012. The LTE TDD mode is expected to enter service in 2013.

SmarTone announced commercial LTE1800 launch on August 28, 2012 with service available to selected customers by invitation, then generally available to customers on September 11. The company confirmed that LTE coverage would be available at the first MTR underground station (at Admiralty) on October 15, 2012. Rollout across all MTR stations and adjoining tunnels is expected to be completed in early 2013. On February 6, 2012 regulator OFCA announced the auction results after 6 bidding rounds for 90 MHz of 2.3 GHz spectrum for BWA services, divided into 3 x 30 MHz blocks. 30 MHz blocks were won each by Hutchison Telephone Company Limited, China Mobile Hong Kong Company Limited, and new entrant 21 ViaNet Group Limited. China Mobile HK launched commercial LTE FDD services in 2.6 GHz on April 25, 2012 and commercially launched 2.3 GHz LTE TDD in December 2012. The worlds first bi-directional handover between LTE FDD and TDD on a live network was announced by Ericsson and China Mobile HK on June 20, 2012. OFCA is auctioning spectrum in the 2.6 GHz range, offering five blocks of 2 x 5 MHz in the 2515 2540 MHz and 2635 2660 MHz range. The auction involved 5 bidders (China Mobile Hong Kong, China Unicom (Hong Kong), CSL Limited, Genius Brand, and SmarTone), beginning on March 18, 2013 and ending on March 19, 29013 after 18 rounds of bidding. China Unicom failed to gain any spectrum. Guam IT&E announced launch of LTE commercial services on June 28, 2012 initially for business only, using 700 MHz, extended to other users in early July 2012 as 4G LTE Wireless Data Network for the Home. DoCoMo Pacific announced launch of LTE commercial services in 700 MHz on October 4, 2012. iConnect commercially launched LTE service using 700 MHz spectrum on March 20, 2013. India The 2.3 GHz BWA auction began with 11 companies bidding for 2 blocks in each of the 22 circles. The

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government had earlier allocated one 20 MHz unpaired spectrum block each to MTNL and BSNL. Tikona Digital Networks won spectrum in 5 circles and is committed to deploy LTE TDD. Commercial launch is expected in 2H 2013. Qualcomm and Bharti Airtel won 4 circles each. Qualcomm gained spectrum in the key circles of Delhi, Mumbai, Haryana and Kerala, announced Global Holding Corporation and Tulip Telecom as initial shareholders for its LTE venture for network deployment, and started trials. In May 2012 it was announced that Bharti Airtel will buy 49% of the Qualcomm license (Qualcomm Asia Pacific QAP), comprising the 26% owned by Global Holding Corporation and Tulip Telecom, plus a further 23% of the company (according to reports, as a first step to taking full ownership in 2014). Bharti Airtel has BWA licences in four other circles - Kolkata, Karnataka, Punjab and Maharashtra. Bharti Airtel is a member of the Global TD-LTE Initiative. On April 10, 2012 Bharti Airtel commercially launched Indias first LTE service (TDD) in Kolkata. Commercial LTE service opened in Bangalore on May 7, 2012 then Pune on October 18, 2012. Service opened in Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula in March 2013. Airtel is considering expansion to New Delhi and Mumbai with spectrum acquired from the Qualcomm Asia Pacific Indian BWA operation. Aircel won BWA spectrum in eight circles and plans to commercially launch LTE TDD service in 2013, initially in Chennai and Tamilnadu. Infotel Broadband was the only pan-India winner, and was later bought by Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL). Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) is deploying an LTE TDD network for commercial launch in 2013. RIL plans to trial VoLTE. BSNL had acquired BWA spectrum licences in the 2.6 GHz band in 22 circles for $1.6 billion. BSNL and MTNL are studying introducing LTE TDD possibly in addition to current WiMAX deployments. Videocon is deploying a commercial LTE1800 network in 6 circles targeting service launch 2H 2013.

It was announced in March 2013 that SSTL bidding under the name of MTS had secured new (formerly CDMA) 800 MHz spectrum and technology neutral licences in 8 circles following a recent auction. The company is considering deploying LTE at a later date. Regulator TRAI is consulting on 700 MHz spectrum and IMT-Advanced (incl. LTE-Advanced) systems. Indonesia Telkomsel, XL Axiata, and Indosat have been trialling LTE and plan to deploy networks. Indosat trialled LTE in 2.6 GHz in 2010 and in October 2011 announced completion of an LTE1800 trial in 10 MHz bandwidth in Surabaya and Denpasar in Bali. Indosat plans to deploy LTE in re-farmed 1800 MHz spectrum. Some operators have called for new spectrum in the 700 MHz to be allocated for LTE following an analog to digital TV broadcast migration. CDMA operator Bakrie Telecom plans to introduce LTE following a trial phase. Regulator SDPPI is consulting on the use of 2300 2360 MHz spectrum (part of Band 40) for BWA services, which could lead to licences being awarded. PT Indosat Mega Media (IM2), subsidiary of PT Indosat Tbk (ISAT), selected LTE TDD technology in 2.3 GHz spectrum won in an auction for a BWA license in 2009, planning commercial service in 2013. The government is scheduled to complete regulations for 4G introduction including LTE by the end of 2013. Japan NTT DoCoMo launched Japans first commercial LTE system on December 24, 2010 in 2.1 GHz spectrum under the Xi brand, in Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka. DoCoMo aims to cover 98% of population with LTE by March 2015 and is targeting 30 million LTE subscriptions by this date. DoCoMo announced that 7 million LTE subscribers was passed during December 2012 i.e. in less than 2 years since LTE service launch and on February 19, 2013 announced that its LTE customer base had passed 10 million mark, having doubled in the previous 6 months. NTT DoCoMo has also launched LTE in 1.5 GHz (band 21) and plans to begin installing APT700 FDD

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compatible base stations in readiness for when this band is allowed for commercial LTE use in 2015. KDDI launched commercial LTE service on September 21, 2012 and continues to operate its 800 MHz CDMA network for voice traffic. The LTE service was launched in 2.1 GHz spectrum (band 1) to align with the LTE band support offered by the iPhone 5, which KDDI also introduced on the same day. Other phones will use 2.1 GHz later, and 800/1500 MHz spectrum will also be used for deployments in future. eAccess launched commercial LTE service using 1.7 GHz on March 15, 2012 (this is band 9, which is within LTE1800 band 3. A band 9 device will not work on all band 3 networks). Coverage is scheduled to cover 99% of population of Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya by end June 2012. Softbank Mobile, a member of the Global TD-LTE Initiative, commercially launched XGP/LTE TDD services on February 24, 2012 via its affiliated company Wireless City Planning which followed a pre-commercial pilot service starting on November 1, 2011 and which owns the operating license. The coverage area includes Sapporo, Saitama, Chiba, Tokyo, Yokohama, Kawasaki, Nagoya, Osaka, Kobe, Fukuoka, Fukuoka City, Kitakyushu City and covers 30 cities. The first device offered was the "ULTRA WiFi 4G SoftBank 101SI portable router. A smartphone was introduced in October 2012. The network is deployed in 20 MHz of 2.5 GHz spectrum (band 41) bought from Willcom (PHS operator) and had 997,200 subscribers as of February 2013. By October 31, 2012 over 17,000 eNodeBs deployed. Softbank Mobile owns licences to operate mobile systems in 2.1GHz FDD (band 1), 1.5 GHz (band 11) and 900 MHz (band 8), and commercially launched its LTE FDD service in band 1 on September 21, 2012 at the same time as introducing the iPhone 5. The LTE FDD service is considered by GSA to be a separate network and business from the LTE TDD deployment mentioned earlier. Softbank Corp. will acquire domestic rival eAccess Ltd. through a stock swap deal valued at $2.3 billion, which will provide Softbank not only with more subscribers, but additional radio spectrum (band 9) which e-Access currently uses for its services.

Softbank has announced plans to buy 70% of Sprint Nextel (USA) for $20.1 billion. The deal requires the approval of shareholders and regulators, and could be completed by mid-2013. Softbank has formed a partnership with Thailand's state-owned operator TOT, which will focus on joint development of a 2.3 GHz LTE TDD network using TOT's allocation of 64 MHz bandwidth. It is likely that the LTE network will be used for mobile backhaul for Wi-Fi access points and mobile cell sites. NTT DoCoMo, KDDI and eAccess were granted 700 MHz spectrum according to the APT700 FDD band plan in June 2012 for LTE deployments, which can be brought into use from early 2015. It is understood that 1800 MHz spectrum may be allocated for LTE services in Japan in future. Kiribati Telecom Services Kiribati Ltd (TSKL) is deploying a commercial LTE network using 700 MHz spectrum. Laos On May 15, 2012 the Ministry of Post and Telecommunication awarded a license to Beeline Lao to deploy LTE. Testing is currently underway in Vientiane using 1800 MHz and 2.6 GHz spectrum. Coverage will open initially in Vientiane. Commercial service launch is expected in 2013. Lao Telecommunications Company (LTC) is deploying an LTE network that is expected to enter commercial service for the public in 2013. Malaysia Regulator MCMC named 9 recipients of 20 MHz of 2.6 GHz spectrum: DiGi, Celcom Axiata, Maxis, U Mobile, WiMAX operators Asiaspace, P1, REDtone International, YTL Communications (Yes brand) and Puncak Semangat Sdn Bhd which received 30 MHz. A number of parties have enquired about access to 700 MHz, which MCMC is considering. MCMC is also consulting on re-farming 850/900/1800 MHz. Maxis launched the countrys first commercial LTE service on January 1, 2013 in 2.6 GHz spectrum, initially modem-based, following two years of trials.

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U Mobile announced on March 15, 2011 plans to launch a commercial LTE network in 2.6 GHz. In October 2011 Maxis and U Mobile signed an active RAN sharing agreement covering LTE. Celcom Axiata commercially launched its LTE service in the Klang Valley. Customers need to buy a dongle and initially get 3 months free access. By Q3 2013 Celcom palns to have 300 sites live, rising to 1,500 sites by 2015. Celcom Axiata and Maxis are reported to be discussing 900/1800 MHz re-farming. DiGi is upgrading over 5,000 sites, and plans to launch LTE in 2.6 GHz in 2013. WiMAX operator Packet One Networks P1 (Malaysia) is upgrading its 2.3 GHz network with an LTE TDD overlay. P1 says it will focus on LTE TDD in 2013. P1 base stations are dual-mode WiMAX and LTE TDD capable and by end 2012 had 2,300 WiMAX sites, 50% are LTE TDD ready. P1 expects to have 4,0005,000 LTE TDD sites by 2015. WiMAX operator Asiaspace has confirmed its plan to launch LTE TDD in 2.3 GHz in 2013. Maxis and REDtone signed an infrastructure and spectrum sharing agreement in July 2012. Both companies plan to launch their LTE services in 2013. Myanmar Mobile operator Myanmar Posts and Telecommunications advised GSA that 1800 MHz (20 MHz) has recently been standardized for LTE FDD service and will be trial launched in 2013. Nepal Ncell approached the Nepal Telecom Authority in October 2010 for a license and spectrum for LTE. Shareholder TeliaSonera is keen to proceed if permission and spectrum are granted. GSA understands that discussions with NTA continue. Nepal Telecom is deploying a 2.3 GHz LTE TDD network following spectrum assignment in 2011. Deployment is scheduled to be completed within 1

year of contract sign date (announced Feb 2012). At completion, 58 municipalities and all 3,915 VDCs will be connected (a VDC is the lower administrative part of its local development ministry). A trial using the FDD mode in 700 MHz spectrum may be undertaken. New Zealand Vodafone New Zealand launched the countrys first LTE commercial service on February 28, 2013 in Auckland, using 1800 MHz spectrum (LTE1800). Six LTE-capable devices were offered at launch. Service is scheduled to reach Christchurch (May 2013), Wellington (September 2013) and 15 more cities by end 2013. Telecom New Zealand showcased LTE in Auckland in 2011, launching trials there and in Wellington on December 7, 2012. 700 MHz, 1800 MHz and 2.6 GHz spectrum is being used. The company plans commercial launch in Auckland by October 2013. Kordia is considering an upgrade of its 2.3 GHz rural mobile network to LTE. Woosh is considering an upgrade of its 2.3 GHz rural mobile network to LTE. Woosh is a member of the Global TD-LTE Initiative. The government has adopted the APT700 FDD band plan and will auction spectrum in 9 paired 5 MHz blocks in Q3 2013 for use from January 1, 2014. Details about the auction format, rules, and implementation requirements are in development. Vodafone is trialling APT700 spectrum in the Lake Brunner area of the South Island's West Coast. The trial will last until end July 2013. The Philippines Following a period of limited commercial LTE service beginning in Boracay in April 2011 then extended to additional locations including Cebu and Davao, Smart Communications commercially launched wider LTE service on August 25, 2012 in Metro Manila using 2.1 GHz (band 1). Commercial LTE service was also launched using 1800 MHz (LTE1800 band 3) on September 5, 2012. To further extend coverage, 850 MHz spectrum (band 5) was brought into use on September 14, 2012. By end April 2013

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over 1,000 LTE sites were active in over 115 cities and municipalities. Smart is conducting LTE TDD technology trials. Globe Telecom launched commercial LTE1800 service under the Tattoo broadband brand on September 28, 2012 in Makati City, with plans to quickly expand to cover Manila, Cebu, Davao and select regions. Bayan Telecommunications indicated interest to deploy LTE in existing 1800 MHz spectrum. Singapore M1 launched commercial LTE services in the financial district on June 21, 2011 initially using 2.6 GHz, later introducing LTE1800. Nationwide coverage using dual band was announced on September 15, 2012. StarHub tested LTE in 2.6 GHz and 1800 MHz. An LTE1800 network in refarmed 1800 MHz was commercially launched on September 19, 2012 in the Central Business District (CBD), Changi Airport and Singapore Expo. StarHub plans to trial VoLTE. SingTel launched commercial LTE service on December 22, 2011 in 1800 MHz and 2.6 GHz spectrum. Initial service using dongles was in the Central Business District, and planned to extend to high data usage regions. 80% coverage of Singapore is targeted by 2012, extending to island-wide by early 2013. SingTel also trialled LTE overseas with carriers in which it holds stakes i.e. SingTel Optus (Australia), Telkomsel (Indonesia), Globe Telecom (Philippines). SingTel announced in May 2013 the company had achieved nationwide coverage and upgraded its network to Cat 4 (peak downlink speed of 150 Mbps). Regulator IDA plans to auction 1800 MHz, 2.3 GHz, and 2.6 GHz spectrum. QMax Communications has been assigned channels in the 2.3 GHz band, and the 2.6 GHz band is shared between M1, PacketOne, SingTel Mobile and StarHub for which rights will expire on June 30, 2015. The1800 MHz spectrum is currently assigned to SingTel Mobile, StarHub Mobile, and M1, and will expire on March 31, 2017. IDA seeks to attract new market entrants. For 4G services in the 1800 MHz band, IDA plans to allocate 140 MHz i.e. 2 x 70 MHz paired for LTE FDD. For the 2.3 GHz

band, 30 MHz will be allocated and will likely be for deployment of LTE TDD. IDA plans to allocate 150 MHz of 2.6 GHz i.e. 2 x 60 MHz paired, and 30 MHz unpaired. IDA said operators that successfully bid for at least 30 MHz of spectrum in the 2.3 GHz and 2.6 GHz bands will be required to provide nationwide 4G systems and coverage by June 30, 2016 - one year after existing licences expire. South Korea LG U Plus launched LTE service on July 1 2011 in 850 MHz (band 5) spectrum and announced nationwide coverage had been reached in April 2012 throughout all cities, counties, and towns. Multi-carrier was commercialized multi-carrier in July 2012 and will be applied in up to 84 cities by end July 2013 using 2.1 GHz spectrum. In addition, the company plans to utilize LTE capacity to efficiently support traffic areas by using Small Cell architecture, including picocells (April 2013) and femtocells (July 2013). Also, the LTE network will deliver LTE and HD voice without WCDMA support in Q3 2013. LG U Plus had earlier launched commercial HD voice (W-AMR) VoLTE service in August 2012. The company will commercialize LTE-Advanced in Q3 2013, deploying technologies such as CoMP, eICIC, eSON, etc. SK Telecom launched commercial LTE service in Seoul on July 1, 2011 in10 MHz in Band 5 (850 MHz). The company brought forward its nationwide (84 cities) coverage date to April 1, 2012. In December 2011 SK Telecom started deploying dual-mode femtocells with LTE and Wi-Fi which, according to the Small Cell Forum, were the first LTE femtocells on a commercial network. In May 2012 SK Telecom announced of multi-carrier trials (LTE-Advanced) to allow combining of Band 5 and Band 3 spectrum for LTE. SK Telecom won 20 MHz of 1800 MHz spectrum in the recent auction. Their multi-carrier LTE service was launched on July 1, 2012, extending across all of Seoul by end 2012 and to 23 other major cities by early 2013. SK Telecom says this is the world's first commercialization of Multi Carrier. SK Telecom confirmed it had 7 million LTE subscribers (December 12, 2012), and ahead of forecast. SK Telecom announced start of international LTE roaming service with Globe Telecom (The Philippines) on 1 April 2013, thus adding to its

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existing roaming agreements with CSL Limited (Hong Kong) from June 1, 2012) and SingTel from March 1, 2013. SK Telecom has also announced plans to launch quad-band LTE devices (850 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2.1 GHz and 2.6 GHz) during Q2 2013. SK Telecom launched commercial HD Voice (W-AMR) VoLTE service in August 2012. KT commercially launched LTE services in Seoul on January 3, 2012. LTE is deployed in re-farmed 1800 MHz (Band 3) spectrum (LTE1800). KT announced on April 23, 2012 that LTE coverage is available in 84 cities. The company said it could launch VoLTE service in October 2012. KT was estimated to have 3.9 million LTE subscribers by December 2012. Regulator KCC conducted an auction in August 2011 of spectrum blocks in 800, 1800 MHz and 2.1 GHz bands. SK Telecom and KT were barred from bidding for 2.1 GHz spectrum. Winners gain immediate access to the new spectrum except for 800 MHz that will be allocated from July 2012. SK Telecom won 20 MHz of 1800 MHz spectrum. KT won 10 MHz of 800 MHz spectrum. LG U Plus won 20 MHz in 2.1 GHz and will deploy LTE in this band. South Korea had more than 20 million LTE subscriptions by end March 2013 and this figure is targeted to reach 30 million by end 2013. Sri Lanka Dialog Axiata commercially launched an LTE TDD network in 2.3 GHz (band 40) on December 30, 2012 in Colombo. Dialog later acquired 10 MHz of 1800 MHz by auction and commercially launched LTE1800 on April 2, 2013 in Colombo. The LTE TDD system continues to be developed for fixed wireless services. Mobitel announced on May 6, 2011 completion of an LTE trial and launched commercial LTE1800 service on December 31, 2012. Etisalat is deploying a commercial LTE network in anticipation of a license award in 2013. Taiwan On August 24 2012 the regulator NCC announced that spectrum in 700, 900 and 1800 MHz bands,

totaling 135 MHz x 2, will be auctioned and licences will be technology-neutral. Spectrum will be auctioned in 5 MHz paired blocks. Prospective mobile broadband operators may need to bid for one or more blocks in order to achieve the resources required. A limit may be set on the number of sub 1GHz channels that an operator can hold. Further consultation is ongoing on the auction rules and license terms. The auction is expected to be held in December 2013. The APT recommendation for the 700 MHz band (APT/AWF/REP-14, Sep 2010) i.e. APT700 is being followed. Chunghwa Telecom trialled LTE in 2.6 GHz and 700 MHz and completed LTE FDD and TDD tests on the high-speed rail system using 2.6 GHz. FarEasTone and China Mobile are co-operating on an LTE TDD trial in Taipei. The National Chiao Tung University conducted an LTE TDD trial in 2010. BWA operators Global Mobile, Tatung, FET and VMAX have technology-neutral licences and can apply to deploy different technologies, e.g. LTE. WiMAX operator Global Mobile has requested approval to amend its licence to allow a switch to LTE TDD and began testing. PHS and WiMAX operator Fitel trialled LTE TDD for a year from July 1, 2011 in Taoyuan, and is expected to request the NCC to allow migration from WiMAX to LTE if their trial proves successful. Thailand Regulator NBTC has approved trialling of LTE in 2.3 GHz and 1800 MHz. TOT partnered its concession holder AIS to trial 2.3 GHz LTE TDD in 20 MHz of its total 64 MHz allocation, using 20 base stations in central Bangkok. Softbank has formed a partnership with Thailand's state-owned operator TOT, which will focus on joint development of a 2.3 GHz LTE TDD network using TOT's allocation of 64 MHz bandwidth. It is likely that the LTE network will be used for mobile backhaul for Wi-Fi access points and mobile cell sites. The first test phase ran until May 2012. AIS subsidiary Digital Phone Co joined with CAT Telecom to test LTE1800 from mid-January 2012 in Maha Sarakham. The trial had 8 sites and ran until March 2012. TOT planned new trials involving up to 400 sites using 30 MHz of 2.3 GHz spectrum.

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True Move commercially launched LTE service on May 8, 2013 using 2100 MHz spectrum. DTAC rebranded as TriNet, is preparing to launch LTE in refarmed 1800 MHz spectrum (LTE1800). NBTC has tentatively decided on Q3 2014 to re-sell 25 MHz of 1800 MHz spectrum due for return when licences expire in September 2013. LTE deployments in 1800 MHz will be allowed (LTE1800). Vietnam Regulator MIC has authorized trials by VNPT, Viettel, FPT Telecom, CMC, VTC, EVN Telecom and Gtel. RusViet Telecom trialled an LTE network in 2010 in Hanoi. Viettel said in May 2011 it had started testing an LTE deployment in Hanoi and HCM City, offering dongle-based services to 240 friendly users. Digital dividend spectrum (700 MHz) will be allocated after analog TV switchover to digital; this process is scheduled to begin in 2015 in the big cities. The Vietnam government announced in June 2012 that state-owned operators Vinaphone and MobiFone are to merge (subject to approvals). The Authority of Radio Frequency Management is reported as saying that LTE-based licensing of 4G will be delayed until 2015 unless there is a significant pick up in the market for high-speed data services. Europe Abkhaz Aquafon announced that LTE testing was performed in Suchumi in co-operation with Megafon. Andorra Andorra Telecom plans to deploy LTE in 2013. Armenia VivaCell-MTS commercially launched LTE in Yerevan on December 28, 2011 in 2.6 GHz spectrum.

Orange organized a public demonstration of LTE at the Orange Flagship Store November 4-5, 2010 and has committed to deploy a commercial LTE network. ArmenTel (Beeline/Vimpelcom) plans to deploy LTE. Austria Regulator TKK completed the 2.6 GHz auction on September 20, 2010, raising 39.5m from A1 Telekom, Hutchison 3, T-Mobile and Orange. 14 paired and 9 unpaired blocks were sold. Licences require at least 25% population coverage by 2013. A1 Telekom commercially launched LTE in Vienna and St. Plten on November 5, 2010. LTE service covers 80% of the population (February 2013). T-Mobile Austria commercially launched LTE service using 2.6 GHz spectrum on July 28, 2011. In September 2012 the company announced that its LTE network covered 650,000 inhabitants of Vienna, Linz, Graz and Innsbruck, and that more than 4,000 towers had been upgraded for LTE. The company is reported to have tested carrier aggregation, combining 2.6 GHz and 1800 MHz spectrum. 3 Austria commercially launched LTE FDD service in Vienna using 2.6 GHz on November 18, 2011. The possibility of also deploying LTE TDD in 2.6 GHz (band 38) is being studied. Orange Austria has tested LTE technology and won 2 x 10 MHz of 2.6 GHz spectrum in the 2010 auction. The owner of 3 Austria confirmed in February 2012 the intent to acquire Orange Austria. The European Commission approved the proposed acquisition subject to implementing a commitments package to facilitate entry of new players into the market. Regulator TKK published a preliminary schedule for auctioning 800 MHz, 900 MHz and 1800 MHz spectrum in September 2012. The auction was postponed because of the merger, and is now re-scheduled to September 2013. Azerbaijan Azercell launched commercial LTE1800 service in the center of Baku beginning June 19, 2012.

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Azerfon (Nar Mobile) has deployed its first LTE base station in Baku. Bakcell is deploying a commercial LTE network. WiMAX operator Sazz (Azqtel) has 60 MHz of 3.5 GHz spectrum and is studying a possible migration to LTE TDD either in 3.5 GHz or in new bands e.g. 2.6 GHz, 2.3 GHz or 700 MHz (not yet allocated to Sazz) Belarus On April 1, 2012 former WiMAX operator Yota Bel commercially launched launched LTE in Minsk, following a test phase beginning December 1, 2011. The Belarus State Commission on Radio Frequencies issued Yota Bel a licence in December 2008 to use 2 x 30 MHz 2.6 GHz spectrum. NOTE: Yota has since ceased operations in Belarus, and has been removed from GSAs list of commercial LTE network launches. MTS (in co-operation with Beltelcom) and BeST (Life) completed their LTE trials by May 1, 2011. BeST (Life) has been trialling LTE and has 2 x 15 MHz in 2.6 GHz for commercial network deployment. 450 MHz CDMA operator Belcel (Diallog brand) is deploying

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