VANCOUVER – Telus confirmed Wednesday that in early 2012 the company will launch its ultra-fast Long Term Evolution (LTE) network.
LTE technology boasts of download speeds of up to 150 megabits per second (Mbps) and upload speeds of up to 70 Mbps. Following field testing in 2011 and the completion of an RFP process currently underway, construction on Telus’ next generation, 4G+ LTE network will begin in the latter half of 2011 in major urban markets across Canada.
(Ed note: Ever since the International Telecommunications Union reclassified – downwards – what kind of network could be labelled 4G to include deployed HSPA+ nets, some have begun calling an LTE upgrade a “real 4G” network.)
The new LTE network will operate on the Advanced Wireless Services (AWS) spectrum that Telus purchased for $882 million in Industry Canada’s auction process in 2008. “Telus believes that the timing of its planned LTE launch in 2012 is appropriate and opportune given its desire to leverage the economies of scale in the manufacturing of LTE equipment, the hardening of LTE technology for market readiness, the progression in the development of LTE-capable data devices and smartphones and the need to synchronise the higher bandwidth capabilities of LTE with the accelerating appetite of clients for data rich services,” reads the company’s press release.
The launch of 4G+ over 1700/2100 MHz AWS spectrum is the first stage in the upgrade to LTE. While services offered in 2012 will begin the evolution to LTE in major urban centres, the completion of the rollout into rural Canada will be dependent on the Industry Canada auction of frequencies in the 700 MHz band, the company cautioned in its release.
“Telus is committed to enhancing the coverage and capacity of its wireless network by building out 4G+ LTE technology extensively across rural Canada, using the 700 MHz wireless spectrum to be auctioned in 2012 to bring LTE capabilities to as many Canadians as possible,” reads the release.
700 MHz spectrum, in contrast to 1700/2100 MHz AWS spectrum, has superior propagation capabilities that make it effective and efficient in covering Canada’s expansive rural geography. Moreover, these same capabilities improve the quality of in-building coverage in urban areas for the optimal performance of a mobile network in the physical landscape of a city setting.
Industry Canada, after hearing from all the wireless players and others, is busy deciding what the rules on the upcoming auction should be and whether or not some of the spectrum should be set aside so that the larger players can’t buy it all up.
"It will be critical for the Federal Government to enable an equitable opportunity for Telus to acquire 700 MHz spectrum in the auction planned for late 2012 to support our plans to expand availability of 4G+ LTE wireless service to rural markets,” said company president and CEO Darren Entwistle.
“Telus is eager to play a leading role in bridging the digital divide between urban and rural Canada such that all Canadians can benefit from broadband wireless LTE technology. The demand for mobile broadband is expanding at a tremendous rate and is a fundamental enabler for business productivity and the benefits consumers experience from the availability and ongoing development of thousands of creative mobile applications. Furthermore, the rollout of wireless broadband to as many Canadians as possible will elevate Canada’s connectedness, expanding the reach of critical social services including the best technology, practices and expertise in healthcare and education.”
Plus, with most Canadians urban-dwellers, it is only in the large centres where it makes business sense for the new wireless players to concentrate on.
"Realistically, the magnitude and expansiveness of this rural build can only come to fruition with a wireless provider of Telus’ scale, operational capabilities and geographic reach and exemplary track record of delivering successive technology platforms to Canadians throughout the country."
