14 DAY TRIAL // Canadian carrier TELUS has just announced that it is preparing to deploy its own LTE (Long Term Evolution) network in early 2012, which will provide customers with faster mobile Internet access speeds.
The carrier's LTE technology should be able to support rated peak download speeds of up to 150 megabits per second (Mbps) and upload speeds of up to 70 Mbps.
According to TELUS, the deployment of the LTE network in 2012 is possible thanks to the launch of the carrier's HSPA+ wireless network in 2009, which covers more than 95% of the country.
Apparently, the construction on TELUS' next generation 4G+ LTE network will begin in the second half of 2011 in major urban markets across Canada and will operate on the Advanced Wireless Services (AWS) spectrum.
This was made possible after TELUS decided to purchase the required AWS spectrum license for $882 million in 2008. “TELUS' 4G+ LTE network build continues our strategy of technology leadership in our industry, providing our clients with some of the fastest and most expansive mobile broadband services anywhere in the world,” said Darren Entwistle, president and CEO of TELUS.
“TELUS is committed to utilizing our wireless spectrum and the technology that it enables, to offer our clients the most innovative multimedia solutions for their lifestyle, health, professional and public service pursuits.”
TELUS' launch of 4G+ over 1700/2100 MHz AWS spectrum is only the first stage in the upgrade to LTE.
It seems that once LTE services will be available in 2012 in major urban centers, the carrier will start to rollout the 4G network into rural Canada as well.
However, as TELUS suggests, this is highly dependent on the Industry Canada auction of frequencies in the 700 MHz band.
It looks like the 700 MHz spectrum is superior to 1700/2100 MHz AWS, when it comes to propagation capabilities, which makes it more effective and efficient in rural regions.