O2 to trial LTE mobile broadband

The network operator will run trials of Long Term Evolution technology, or LTE, in the UK, Spain, Germany, the Czech Republic and Argentina. The so-called 4G network could achieve mobile internet speeds of up to 340 megabits per second, almost a hundred times faster than the average broadband speed currently enjoyed by UK consumers, and 50 times faster than the 7.2 megabits per second mobile broadband connections available in this country. “We are working with the conviction that we can only offer our clients the maximum levels of quality and innovation," said Julio Linares, chief operating officer at Telefonica, O2's parent company. “To do this, we are defining our strategy and the rollout of LTE with the objective of driving mobile broadband and offering the best service from the moment that the equipment and terminals can support the new standards and are available for sale.” Trials of the new technology are expected to start in early 2010, and technology suppliers for the field tests are expected to include Ericsson, Huawei and Nokia Siemens. No details have been given about which areas of the country will participate in the trial.

Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/mobile-phones/6254174/O2-to-trial-LTE-mobile-broadband.html