Swiss telecom operator Orange has launched its 4G LTE network in Switzerland, earlier than originally planned. Operator is offering 4G services to all its customers, PrePay as well as PostPay, at no extra cost.

Orange's LTE network will initially have population coverage of 35% and is to be expanded to 71% by the end of 2013. To speed up the 4G expansion, Orange is increasing its investment by 25% to some CHF 100 million in H2 2013.

Orange 4G currently offers download speeds of up to 100 Mbit/s (the theoretical maximum speed), and the company plans to upgrade this step-by-step to 150 Mbit/s. Operator’s 4G network will initially cover 113 municipalities, including the 10 largest Swiss cities. The new 4G network also covers five tourist resorts and the airports in Basel, Geneva and Zurich.