Telecom New Zealand will be conducting live customer trials of LTE technology later this year in preparation for the evolution of its XT network to 4G. Operator is currently conducting a technology selection process, with the aim to have the trial service operational with selected business and consumer customers before the end of 2012

Telecom CEO, Paul Reynolds, said Telecom is committed to remaining at the forefront of mobile technology, evolving its world-class, all 3G, XT network to deliver the best mobile experience to customers. 

The Ministry of Economic Development is yet to announce its detailed plans for the auction of 700mhz spectrum, which will be important for widespread, cost effective, 4G deployment. But Telecom nevertheless intends to continue on and build real-world experience of 4G operations through this trial, said the operator.