Mobile operator T-Mobile and Nortel Networks have successfully tested a new high-speed wireless technology designed to make mobile connections as fast as fixed fiber links. A connection was maintained while driving in a car in range of three cell sites on a highway in Bonn, Germany at an average speed of 67 kph.
The experiment achieved data rates of up to 170 Mbit/s for downloads and up to 50 Mbit/s for uploads, the operator said, about three times faster than the new high-speed broadband technology VDSL it is currently rolling out across the country.
If the Long-Term Evolution (LTE) technology proved promising in more everyday situations, the Bonn-based company would consider upgrading its network with it, said Philipp Humm, head of T-Mobile Germany. A decision would be made within six months.
There is increasing urgency for fourth-generation (4G) wireless networks, where growing demand for mobile data is driven by such tools as smartphones and embedded laptops…
Canada’s Nortel Networks has said it sees LTE as the most likely upgrade path for about 80 percent of the world’s existing mobile phone providers, with others going for WiMax.
If it makes it to practical and affordable, it would be a lot easier to roll out than fiber. No last mile problems.
Doesn’t matter how cheap or expensive it is to roll out. Cell companies here will still charge an arm and a leg for it. Oh, and your first born.
Arrrrr.
But wait the new Apple ‘G5’ iPhone is coming!!!
Wow! I’m already in line!!! Yahoo!
And, what happens to the bandwidth once 1000 people are hitting each tower?
James, you really should read more than comix – or RNC press releases.
T-Mobile is rolling out 3G in close to 30 more markets as part of their prep for Android…and other 3G packages.
Old news.
Don’t worry, Google is coming !!! And they understand the need for CHEAP BROADBAND !!! Unlike the Telcos, whose DINOSAUR EXECS WANT TO CHARGE BY THE MINUTE !!!
Cheap wireless broadband is a hard hit to many industries – land-line telcos, local ISPs, cable companies and maybe even some equipment manufacturers. It will be interesting to watch them clash 🙂
Is JimD John’s alter ego?
Nortel had better roll this out quick before their stock hits zero.
NT got hammered this week, 3.05 USD.
#8 Nappy:
What planet do you live on?
“within 5 years) before network speeds will no longer be of any importance as everyone will have super fast internet access”
All the ISP’s are working on is to limit traffic so they don’t have invest in hardware upgrades.
There are a lot of countries where real high speed for everybody is a reality or coming soon. But not in the good ol’ USA.
VDSL new? TransACT has been running VDSL in Canberra since 2001. They’re in the process of replacing it by moving to fibre to the home.
Probably the Japanese are already bored of it while the telcos in the USA will bitch, moan and complain that they won’t implement it because the USA is too big.
Robot Chicken Star Wars Special, LOL!!
This will probably be rolled out to the entirety of Europe and the rest of the world within 2 years. Five years later AT&T or T-Mobile will put a tower in New York and one in LA and have a big splash PR event to announce NATIONWIDE 4G service.
We are still waiting for EDGE here since this area lost service after the analog turnoff. AT&T built a tower half a mile outside town in April and has yet to turn the damn thing on! So forgive me if I lack enthusiasm regarding this report.
This is an experiment. LTE is at least 2 years away and likely 5 years away.
Next month, Baltimore gets lit up with WIMAX and similar speeds – followed be Chicago… and Dallas 🙂
Meanwhile, back on the ranch, that’s not global warming that’s making everything and everybody so hot — we’re being microwaved! To heck with the foil hat — I want a whole suit!
(BTW, what’s up w/all the blank “Anonymous” posts?)
Hell, I’ve got 20mbs down and it’s practically useless since nothing out there delivers any speed. Having a 120mbs connection doesn’t do you a bit of good if most servers send at 1.5mbs.