Telstra has announced the launch of its first LTE device. Businesses in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane will be the first to experience LTE mobile broadband after Telstra announced it would commence selling Australia’s first commercial LTE device later this month. Telstra switched on its first LTE base stations in May.

USB 4G mobile broadband modems would be made available to business and enterprise customers from August 29 ahead of the national launch of 4G services later this year.

“The commercial pilot will give some of our customers a taste of the faster speeds, greater capacity and quicker response times that can be available for mobile services on 4G ahead of our national launch in major capital cities and selected regional centres later this year," said David Thodey, Telstra’s CEO.

Telstra’s first 4G product, the Telstra 4G USB, will use dual mode 4G/3G HSPA technology enabling it to operate across the 1800MHz and 850MHz spectrum bands, giving customers the benefits of 4G connectivity where it is available and switchover to high-speed HSPA technology across the Telstra Mobile Network which reaches 99 per cent of the Australian population.

The Telstra USB 4G will be available initially to account managed business customers. It can be purchased in conjunction with a range of plans including for $0 upfront on the $49 Telstra Mobile Broadband Standard Plan over 24 months (minimum total cost $1,176) with 7GB included data. It will be available from 29 August through Telstra Business and Telstra Enterprise & Government account managers.

LTE coverage will be available initially within 5km from the GPO in Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney. Speeds vary due to factors such as distance from base station, local conditions, user numbers, hardware and software configuration.