Telefonica O2 Germany is starting the next stage of LTE deployments in rural areas. After urban pilot networks went into operation in Munich in early September, more are now being installed in rural communities.

In Teutschenthal near Halle and Ebersberg near Munich, the first LTE pilot networks with frequencies of 800 megahertz will be switched on in November. The first O2 customers will be able to try out the new broadband network a month later and in 2011 construction and commercialisation of LTE will begin across Germany.

"Friendly user trials will begin in December when selected O2 customers will be able to use the LTE pilot networks," says CEO René Schuster. "In 2011 we will then supply up to 1,500 locations with LTE and will initiate the commercial use."

In rural areas O2 uses frequencies of 800 megahertz originating from digital dividend. With the new LTE technology, O2 will play a significant role in covering every inch of the countryside and supplying broadband throughout Germany.