Telefonica has launched LTE pilot network in collaboration with Alcatel-Lucent. The 4G pre-commercial pilot networks in Madrid and Barcelona will enable Telefonica to test different applications and services over LTE. The project will also give Telefonica the opportunity to explore the overall performance and cost advantages of the technology.

For this project Alcatel-Lucent will provide Telefonica with a complete, end-to-end 4G LTE solution – including LTE base stations (eNodeBs), all-IP wireless Evolved Packet Core (EPC), and subscriber data management capabilities based on our IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) portfolio.  Alcatel-Lucent also will build, operate and maintain the network on Telefonica’s behalf allowing Telefonica to focus on developing the best service for their customers while taking advantage of Alcatel-Lucent’s world-class operations experience.

For the pilot, Alcatel-Lucent is also offering to Telefonica the support of the ng Connect Program, a global initiative that brings together device, application, network and content companies to accelerate the availability of next generation services and applications.