TeliaSonera has launched the world’s first commercial mobile services based on Long-Term Evolution (LTE) — the final stage in the development of fourth-generation (4G) mobile technology based on the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) standard. Starting Tuesday, laptop users equipped with dedicated 4G modems in Stockholm, Sweden, and Oslo, Norway, can access super-fast mobile broadband connections that are 10 times faster than turbocharged 3G networks can deliver now, the company said.
The use of mobile broadband in the Nordic countries is exploding and customers need higher speeds and capacity, noted TeliaSonera President Kenneth Karlberg. “This is why we launch 4G services in both Stockholm and Oslo,” Karlberg said. “Being first out with new technology gives us unique experience that we can use on all our markets” and “we will continue the rollout to offer our customers new communication services for the future.”
Waiting in the Wings
Ericsson is supplying the infrastructure for TeliaSonera’s 4G city network in Stockholm, while China-based Huawei is delivering the same for the carrier’s 4G city network in Oslo. The 4G modems for use in both cities, which are being offered as USB dongles, are being supplied by Samsung Electronics. Though TeliaSonera initially will be targeting laptop users, the company said handheld 4G mobile devices are expected to become available in the next stage of its LTE rollout.
The Nordic carrier also has plans to roll out LTE services in Finland next year using frequencies awarded to the carrier as a result of last month’s Finnish 4G frequency auction. TeliaSonera says it will start building its LTE infrastructure in Finland immediately with the aim of opening the network for the first pilot customers during the first quarter of next year.
Though TeliaSonera is first out the gate with LTE, ABI Research noted that other overseas…