NEW YORK, USA: LTE trials are picking up pace, with operators eager to roll out 4G networks as soon as possible.

As of the end of September 2009, 100 mobile networks had LTE trials or commitments to trial underway. The Asia-Pacific region accounted for more than 40 of these trials, with operators in Japan and South Korea leading the way.

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This is according to ABI Research’s “Wireless Spectrum, Services and Technology Deployment Market Data” report, which provides a comprehensive database of information on all wireless network providers, their operating spectra, access technologies, and key network vendors globally.

In addition, 33 contracts for LTE equipment have been announced. ABI research forecasts LTE subscribers to reach 32.6 million by 2013. However, the first LTE networks are only expected to roll out towards the end of 2010.

Bhavya Khanna, analyst, ABI Research, says, “In order to keep up with the exponential growth of mobile data that has been spurred by fixed-rate data plans, operators must upgrade their existing 3G infrastructure. Many operators cannot wait until LTE is operationally ready, and have already started to upgrade their existing 3G networks to the HSPA (HSDPA and HSUPA) standard."

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This allows operators to increase their download rate to up to 21Mbps. In addition, close to 200 networks have upgraded or are in the process of upgrading their 3G networks to HPSA, including more than 50 networks in Asia-Pacific. Contracts for 54 networks upgrades to the HSPA+ standard have also been announced, indicating a firm commitment to the 3G progress path.

“While progress towards the deployment of LTE is clearly racing ahead,” Khanna concludes, “operators cannot afford to neglect their existing networks.”