14 DAY TRIAL // Wireless carrier T-Mobile has unveiled plans to bring enhancements to its 4G network, including the expansion of the current HSPA+ coverage in the 1900 MHz band, as well as upgrades to LTE.
The company has teamed with infrastructure leaders such as Ericsson and Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN) to support its $4 billion 4G network evolution plan, which involves the deployment of Long Term Evolution (LTE) service in 2013.
As part of these agreements, Ericsson and Nokia Siemens Networks will deliver and install Release 10-capable equipment at 37,000 cell sites around the country, so as to increase capacity and performance of the network.
Additionally, T-Mobile expects to become the first carrier in North America to broadly roll out antenna integrated radios, which should result in accelerated deployment and reduced site loading.
To that, the company adds the AWS spectrum licenses it secured from AT&T last year, which enables it to deploy LTE in AWS spectrum and up to 20 MHz of LTE in 75 percent of the top 25 markets.
“We’re making great progress on our four billion dollar 4G network transformation,” said Neville Ray, chief technology officer, T-Mobile USA. “With these partners on board and the AT&T AWS spectrum secured, we’re on track to enhance our 4G experience this year and deliver nationwide LTE in 2013.”
T-Mobile plans on setting up its LTE network with the latest technology advancements out there, which should result both in increased performance and in a more efficient use of its spectrum resources.
“T-Mobile will also apply deep LTE technology experience gained from its parent, Deutsche Telekom, a recognized global leader in LTE development and standardization,” the wireless carrier announced.
As stated above, the carrier also aims at launching the 4G HSPA+ service in the 1900 MHz band in a wide range of markets before the end of the year.
It already registered up to a 33 percent increase in HSPA+ data speeds in trials, and it also expects support for additional devices on its 4G network, via deployments in the 1900 MHz band (such as the Apple iPhone).
The wireless operator has already expanded its HSPA+ network to cover over 220 million people in 229 markets.
“In contrast to our competitors, nearly half of T-Mobile’s postpaid smartphone customers are using a 4G device,” said Ray.
“Not only are we delivering a fast 4G experience to a higher percentage of our customers, we’re also making it more affordable to step up to 4G. Whether you’re purchasing one of our latest 4G superphones – or bringing your own device, you can get better value with T-Mobile.”
The latest markets to receive the faster speeds on the T-Mobile 4G network include Little Rock, Ark.; Hattiesburg, Miss.; Springfield, Mo. and Madison, Wis.
The HSPA+ 42 network also provides users in and Little Rock, Ark.; Lake Charles, La. and Springfield, Mo. the possibility to take advantage of enhanced connectivity on the new HTC One S smartphone.