3G Press Release
First Tests for Telefonica with 3G LTE in a Real Setting
6th April, 2009
Spain : Telefónica has conducted its first tests on a real 4th Generation network with LTE (Long Term Evolution) technology, installed at its Demonstrations Centre in Madrid. The purpose of these tests is to start planning and defining future technical needs for LTE and, once more, to stay at the cutting edge to offer clients the best services and quality, adapted to their communications needs.
These initial real demonstrations or tests consisted of a VoIP call, and a videocall using an LTE mini-network installed by Ericsson; a video conference, and data and images downloads at speeds in excess of 140 Mbps, around 10 times those possible with current 3G networks using HSPA technology. With LTE and in recent experiences from manufacturers with which Telefónica works on a regular basis, laboratory tests have been conducted showing download speeds in excess of 326 Mbps, while uploads have been possible at up to 86 Mbps. HSPA + or Evolution Before the 4th Generation or LTE arrives, Telefónica will continue to improve the capacity of the current 3rd Generation network, which now gives both voice and data coverage to around 90 per cent of the Spanish population.
Half way through this year, Telefónica will start rolling out is HSPA + technology network, unveiled at the last Mobile World Congress with 21 Mbps download transmissions. This will mean it will also be able to offer the first commercial services and data devices this year, allowing information download speeds of up to 21 Mbps and 5 Mbps for sending information, as new functionalities and terminals become available, reaching 84 Mbps speeds until the arrival of LTE. While the service is being marketed, as has happened with earlier technologies, the data cards must first be available.
Telefónica is working with several manufacturers to guarantee the availability of data cards during the first stage of deployment. Telefónica currently covers more than 81 per cent of the Spanish population with HSDPA – for downloading information, which it expects will surpass 85 per cent by the end of the year. With HSUPA - for sending information - this cover will reach 50 per cent by the end of 2009. To do this, Telefónica already offers data appliances (USB modems), laptops, netbooks and mobile terminals that benefit from these capacities, and offer clients options to be connected and communicate with the higher speeds available from Mobile Broadband.