TeliaSonera launches world first LTE networks

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TeliaSonera has become the first carrier in the world to launch commercial LTE services, unveiling the new 4G networks simultaneously in Oslo and Stockholm today.

The mobile operator completed its LTE network deployments ahead of the scheduled time of “early 2010” in both markets with vendors Huawei in Norway and Ericsson in Sweden.

Downtown Stockholm is covered with the Ericsson LTE network, making it the largest LTE deployment to date with TeliaSonera customers using Samsung dongles to access the service. Ericsson president and CEO Carl-Henric Svanberg described the LTE launch as “the new era of mobile broadband. With LTE, so-called 4G, your mobile broadband experience is moving to unequalled levels.”

While in Oslo, Huawei delivered both network infrastructures and services to TeliaSonera, such as access network, core network, operation support system, and network planning and optimization.

“In partnership with TeliaSonera, Huawei began this journey eleven months ago to introduce the most advanced mobile broadband technology on earth to the residents of Oslo.  This milestone was achieved in such a relatively short period, reflecting our unwavering commitment towards accelerating the commercialization of LTE/SAE solutions,” said Huawei Europe president Yu Chengdong

It is understood that TeliaSonera is still considering which vendor to award its  broader international LTE business to. “TeliaSonera continues the evaluation of suppliers to deliver LTE networks in the Nordic and Baltic countries,” said TeliaSonera VP and VTO mobility services Lars Klasson.

Meanwhile Huawei has completed a successful live trial of LTE in the UK with Telefónica O2. The  trial achieved a cell peak downlink rate of 150Mbps.