Superfast mobile phone networks are likely to be delayed
because of economic uncertainty.
Vodafone, France Telecom and Deutsche Telekom will not spend
billions on
fourth generation (4G) networks for the next two to three years
to reassure investors,
according to the Financial Times.
Mobile phone network operators do not see any urgency to move to
4G and plan to ride out the economic downturn by getting the most
from their 3G investments.
But telecoms equipment makers keen to boost flagging 3G sales
are already conducting trials using fledgling 4G networks and
handsets.
Adoption of 4G technology is expected to be spurred by trial
results showing download speeds of at least 50Mbps, outstripping
fixed line speeds and competing with rival Wimax technology.
An
ABI Research report published mid-2008 predicted that the
growing use of mobile broadband services by handsets, laptops and
other mobile devices will place ever-increasing demands on 3G
networks that can be addressed only by 4G networks.
The first
UK trials are taking place in Swindon, where handset maker
Motorola has invited mobile operators to conduct their own tests on
its 4G network.
In the 4G Motorola tests, voice calls and high-speed data
services were streamed over 2.6GHz networks.
If 4G networks are delayed, telecoms equipment makers will be
forced to sell 3G technology to emerging markets such as China
before they can tap into 4G sales in Europe.