Motorola trials LTE-based 4G in the UK
updated 11:15 am EST, Mon February 2, 2009
Moto LTE Trial in UK
Motorola today said it has started up one of the first Long Term Evolution (LTE) phone networks in the UK with a trial setup in Swindon. The test network runs on the 2.6GHz frequency and is capable of providing voice while providing live high-speed data at 4G speeds. Motorola estimates between 29Mbps and 226Mbps for downloads depending on the amount of bandwidth available and the number of antennas the device can use.
LTE is also lower-latency and typically less expensive to roll out on the network than most 3G, as it's based entirely on IP networking behind the scenes.
The British launch is a step closer to the use of LTE on real-world networks, which in the US should start with a small deployment on Verizon late this year and a broader commercial network starting in 2010. AT&T and T-Mobile are expected to follow later, while Bell and Telus will also launch Canadian networks in 2010.
