4G mobile

Nokia Siemens rolling out 4G mobile networks | NEWS.com.au

Nokia Siemens rolling out 4G mobile networks

By Tarmo Virki in Helsinki October 16, 2008 08:50am
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* 4G networks being built worldwide over next two years
* 80 per cent of operators expected to adopt the technology
* Technology: Read more news and reviews in our tech section »

NOKIA Siemens Networks (NSN) has announced it has started to deliver technology for emerging high-speed wireless networks.

NSN said it was the first vendor to do so, and it would deliver fourth-generation-ready (4G) mobile network hardware to more than 10 major operators by the end of this year. Rival Ericsson was not immediately available for comment.

The gear can be upgraded into much faster Long-Term Evolution (LTE) technology with just new software — meaning lower costs for operators — starting in the latter half of 2009, promising a smoother transition than 3G, which required steep investments and took years to gain popularity.

LTE promises to make everything from mobile video sharing to music downloads speedier, but it may not show a visible boost in sales for the network equipment industry any time soon, as the first networks are not expected for two years and many operators will wait longer until the technology matures.
LTE is the most likely upgrade path for about 80 per cent of the world's existing mobile phone providers, with others going for an alternative technology known as WiMax, according to Canada's Nortel Networks.

Nokia Siemens said it expects to see commercial LTE network rollouts from 2010.