UK’s mobile service provider Everything Everywhere has launched a live 4G LTE trial in the North of England using the spectrum that, subject to licensing changes, could be used for commercial LTE rollout in UK later this year.

Rolling out over the next few weeks, the trial for up to 50 local residents will run until the end of July and is being conducted to test the network performance ahead of potential further roll out by the end of the year, subject to regulatory approval.

The trial service will run over existing 1800 MHz spectrum used by the Orange and T-Mobile mobile networks and will provide learnings on the performance of 4G LTE in rural areas

The trial was switched on by the Secretary of State for Education, Michael Gove, and local MP, Rory Stewart. It centres on the area of Threlkeld in Cumbria, home to Blencathra, one of the Lake District’s most visited peaks.