Regional Telecom, a communications service provider in Northern Iraq, and Alcatel-Lucent have launched 4G LTE network Iraq under the Fastlink brand. Alcatel-Lucent is providing its end-to-end 4G LTE solution, including base stations, IP mobile backhaul for 4G LTE and existing 3G CDMA traffic and Evolved Packet Core (EPC).

Qualcomm has introduced a family of 28 nanometer (nm) solutions, the Qualcomm FSM99xx, to enable pico, metro and enterprise small cells that are designed to enhance operators’ 3G and LTE networks. The Qualcomm FSM99xx solutions are expected to sample in the second half of 2013.

Vodafone UK has announced that company is increasing investment in its network this year and preparing for the launch of 4G LTE services by the late summer. Operator expects spending increase of 50% to more than £900m in the current financial year. 

Huawei recently announced a CA (Carrier Aggregation) total solution at the company's annual Global Analyst Summit in Shenzhen. According to company, the solution extends the capabilities of normal intra-site CA to also support inter-site and heterogeneous CA to provide a seamless user experience.

Canadian telecom operators, Videotron and Rogers have announced to build out and operate a shared LTE wireless network in the province of Québec and the Ottawa region. Rogers already have LTE footprint across Canada, including Montreal, Ottawa and Québec City. 

TeliaSonera has secured frequencies in the 800 MHz band in Estonia in a contest arranged by the Estonian Technical Surveillance Authority. Operator won 2 x 10 MHz frequencies in the 800 MHz band. According to operator, the 800 MHz frequencies will enable a faster roll-out of 4G services in Estonian rural areas. 

UK operator EE has turned on LTE network in 12 additional towns across the country. With this launch, EE's 4G LTE services are now available in 74 towns and cities across the UK.

U.S. operator AT&T has launched its LTE service in 11 new markets across the country. With this expansion, operator has LTE services in 239 markets. In addition AT&T has expanded 4G LTE service in several existing markets.

Swiss telecom operator Orange has launched its 4G LTE network in Switzerland, earlier than originally planned. Operator is offering 4G services to all its customers, PrePay as well as PostPay, at no extra cost.

Vodafone Spain has announced launch of commercial LTE services in 7 cities beginning tomorrow. The LTE network will be available in Barcelona, Bilbao, Madrid, Malaga, Palma de Mallorca, Seville and Valencia.

U.S. wireless service provider, C Spire Wireless plans to introduce LTE services in in south Alabama and northwest Florida this fall. In addition operator will expand its LTE services in Mississippi this year.

SFR, the French telecom operator, has launched LTE in Lille and revealed network roll out plan for the second half of 2013. Operator plans national coverage with LTE in 55 cities by the end of the year.

Hong Kong’s CSL has commercially launched 4G LTE extended spectrum together with the LTE CAT 4 device. With 5MHz extended spectrum, CSL has deployed a total of 2 x 20MHz at 2600MHz for its LTE network. 

Globecomm has won LTE contracts with three U.S. Regional Carriers Chariton Valley, Evolve Broadband (DBA WorldCall Interconnect) and Indigo Wireless. These carriers will use Globecomm’s hosted LTE core, as well as the company’s Converged Packet Gateway (CPG) solution.