Telefónica has unveiled a series of mobile broadband
services over LTE (long term evolution networks in a bid to
demonstrate the
real business benefits that such very high bandwidth networks
could deliver.
Commitment to technological leadership and innovation were among
one of Telefónica’s key objectives of the Madrid demonstration by
the Spanish incumbent telco, who owns 02 in the UK.
Using technology installed Telefónica’s technology partner
Ericsson, the demo included a VOIP call and a video call using the
LTE mini network, a video conference, and data and image download.
Telefónica claimed that the network achieved speeds in excess of
140 Mbps, 10 times faster than the current speed offered by the 3G
network over HSPA technology.
Telefónica said that its demonstration showed that an LTE
prototype network has been connected to the ‘real’ existing 3G and
2G network, an indication it says that applications could be just
around the corner. There has been
criticism in some parts that LTE is being overhyped and that in
any case it is still unclear when such netwrks would be rolled
out.
According to a recent report from the Global Mobile Suppliers
Association, 26 vendors have confirmed that they will rollout out
LTE based services from 2010 to 2012. Tellingly, to date, no
current domestic mobile broadband operator has announced that they
will roll out LTE services in the UK. T-Mobile and Orange have said
they will offer LTE in their home territories and it is also
unknown as to the plans of O2 and Vodafone. Interestingly,
Hutchison 3 says it will roll out LTE in Ireland in 2011.