Bharti Airtel has launched LTE services in Bangalore, India followed by the recent launch of the 4G services in Kolkata. Airtel also introduced 'Smartbytes' for 4G a plan to allow customers to buy these add-on packs and use 4G services even after exhausting their monthly data limits.
ZTE has signed an agreement with Hi3G Sweden worth UD$74 million to deploy several UMTS/LTE TDD/LTE FDD base stations, as well as auxiliary microwave and data transmission equipment over the next three years.
Nokia Siemens Networks plans to demonstrate TD-LTE data speeds of close to 1 Gbps using its commercial Flexi Multiradio 10 Base Station with LTE-Advanced technology at International CTIA Wireless 2012. Company is also adding a host of new products to its comprehensive TD-LTE portfolio.
South Korea's operator SK Telecom has selected Ericsson to extend its LTE network. The LTE network extension will be carried out by Ericsson's operating unit in Korea, LG-Ericsson and is scheduled to be completed within the first half of this year.
UK’s mobile service provider Everything Everywhere has launched a live 4G LTE trial in the North of England using the spectrum that, subject to licensing changes, could be used for commercial LTE rollout in UK later this year.
Huawei showcased 4x4 MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) carrier aggregation solution for LTE TDD at the Huawei-hosted 2012 Global Analyst Summit in Shenzhen, China. According to the company, this solution allows the peak data rate for a single end user to reach up to 520Mbps.
Indian telco Bharti Airtel has given a contract to Huawei for planning, design, supply and deploy LTE network to offer 4G mobile broadband services in Karnataka. Under the agreement Huawei will deliver LTE network infrastructure and devices.
Regional USA operator Cellcom has launched its 4G LTE network in seven areas of Northeast and Central Wisconsin. The first phase of Cellcom’s 4G LTE rollout includes cell sites in Green Bay, Sturgeon Bay, Appleton, Oshkosh, Wausau, and parts of Oconto and Marinette Counties.
Brazilian telecom regulator Anatel expects to raise a minimum BRL3.8 billion (USD 2 billion) with auction of mobile frequencies in the 2.5GHz and 450MHz bands. Anatel says that 2.5GHz spectrum is to be used for LTE mobile services while 450MHz spectrum will be used to expand the coverage of voice and data (broadband internet) services in rural areas.
Australian operator Optus has activated its 4G LTE network for select customers across Greater Newcastle, as well as in Port Stephens, the Hunter Valley and Lake Macquarie areas. Operator is initially offering these 4G services to select customers for free, in exchange for their feedback on network performance and device capability.