Ericsson to deploy 4G/LTE into Telstra network

42 Mbps, here we come

At the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Telstra CEO David Thodey has announced deployment plans for the carrier’s 4G/LTE network.

Thodey says the central business districts of all Australian capitals, plus selected regional centres (bets on Newcastle, Wollongong and the Gold Coast), will be upgraded to the technology by year-end.

Vendor Ericsson, Telstra’s long-time partner in the 4G space since it began its trials last year, will implement the new network. The upgrade will use Ericsson’s RBS 6000 base station, with the mobile backhaul network to be upgraded to the Enhanced Packet Core standard to support the 42 Mbps maximum speeds offered by the technology.

“The new network will provide Australians with faster data speeds, high-quality video conferencing and faster response times when using mobile applications or accessing the internet. It will also help Telstra meet future demand for mobile data, which is doubling every year as customers move to adopt data-hungry smartphones, mobile modems and tablets," Thodey said in a statement released by Ericsson.

The upgrade will use Telstra’s 1800 MHz spectrum, and the carrier intends to offer multi-standard devices able to roam to its existing 850 MHz-based NextG where 4G/LTE isn’t available. ®