Telstra Launching 4G LTE Network This Year

 title=Despite having the best HSPA network in the world, Telstra has just announced that it plans on taking it up a notch and going 4G, launching an LTE network in capital cities and certain regional hubs around the country using the 1800MHz spectrum.

At Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Telstra top dog Davd Thodey announced the plan, which is designed to help cater to the increased demand for mobile data around city areas. The new network won’t be replacing the HSPA NextG network, but working alongside it. Telstra’s first LTE product – a Sierra Wireless USB wireless dongle – will actually work on both the LTE 1800MHz spectrum and NextG’s 850MHz band.

There’s no figures on the new LTE network’s speed yet, with a Telstra spokesperson confirming that it’s more about adding capacity rather than speed, but given that a trial last year had downloads at almost 150Mbps, you can expect it to be pretty fast. There’s also no word on whether Telstra will be launching any exciting new 4G mobiles for the new network.

But given that Telstra are already running a HSPA network faster than many of the “4G” networks around the world, the fact they are continuing to develop and expand their network is great news for mobile users around the country.


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