Rio Tinto, a international mining group, has selected Alcatel-Lucent to implement LTE technology to support its existing operations and future business needs. Alcatel-Lucent will enhance the speed and capacity of existing critical communications infrastructure for Rio Tinto in Western Australia, extending it further with LTE and fibre-optic technologies. 

China Mobile has launched TD-LTE trial network central and western regions, reports chinadaily. The TD-LTE trial network is based in Sichuan. 

Telenor has opened its LTE network for mobile phone usage as well. Operator's LTE services so far were available on PCs and tablets only. Telenor launched LTE network in Norway two months ago in 11 cities and towns. 

Telecom New Zealand will begin 4G LTE trial in parts of Wellington and Auckland from Friday this week. The Auckland trial will take place in parts of the North Shore on the 2600MHz spectrum and will be conducted by Huawei. Alcatel-Lucent will run the trial in the Lower Hutt area of Wellington, also on the 2600MHz spectrum.

Canada's TELUS has launched LTE network in Brantford and St. John’s. Operator plans to provide LTE services in additional communities in the coming months.  Today’s announcement is part of the company’s $650 million and $8.4 million investments in Ontario and Atlantic Canada respectively over the next three years

Having already surpassed its 2012 4G LTE deployment plan, AT&T continues to add new LTE markets. Operator today launched its LTE service in Salt Lake City, Utah; Albuquerque, NM; Reading, Penn. and Guayama, San German-Cabo Rojo, and Yauco, Puerto Rico. With these additions, AT&T LTE is now live in 109 markets.

MTN South Africa has announced the commercial roll out of 4G LTE network. Beginning 30th November 2012, operator has started offering LTE services to its customers with quicker broadband speeds.

UK's EE has increased data allowance on 4G LTE Mobile Broadband plans, in addition of launching a range of new options. The 4GEE Mobile Broadband plans now include data allowances increased by around 60%, with no rise in monthly fee. The 2GB plan now becomes a 3GB allowance, with the 3GB plan increasing to 5GB, and the 5GB allowance now extending to 8GB.

The small cell and femtocell company, Ubiquisys has announced deployment of its GM7 multi-mode cell for indoor public spaces in small cell programs. The new Ubiquisys cell supports LTE, 3G-HSPA+ and WiFi and is designed for use in a wide range of public spaces.

Swisscom is turning on commercial 4G LTE services for its customers in Switzerland starting tomorrow. At the time of the launch, this new network will be available in 26 locations. Swisscom aims to work as quickly as possible during the next year to continue LTE expansion and plans to cover 70 percent of the population by the end of 2013.

A1 Telekom Austria is now offering LTE coverage to about one-third of the Austrians, much earlier than envisaged in the original expansion targets. Operator has announced that A1 LTE has already reached to one in three Austrians.

U.S. mobile service provider Sprint has launched 4G LTE network in 11 new cities/counties in Indiana, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. With today’s expansion, Sprint now offers LTE service in 43 markets. 

Orange  France has launched 4G LTE services for corporate customers and will introduce LTE for consumers from February 2013. Operator has now switched on LTE in four cities - Marseille, Lyon, Nantes and Lille. Orange had started a LTE pilot in Marseille in June earlier this year.

Canada's SaskTel has started testing its 4G LTE wireless network ahead of commercial launch. A technical trial with select employees will take place immediately with commercial availability scheduled for Regina and Saskatoon, and surrounding communities, beginning early February 2013.