NTT Docomo announces LTE pre-launch (Japan)
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Pre-commercial tests which are underway in and around Tokyo have been announced by NTT DoCoMo, to verify its 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) network, ahead of the scheduled full-blown commercial launch this December.
Japan’s largest mobile operator by subscribers has also started the 4G testing to explore the network’s ability to cater for ‘speed, latency, stability of inter-cell handover and other conditions required for commercial operation. Devices capable of handling data transfers of up to 100Mbps (downlink) and 50Mbps (uplink) have been used for DoCoMo’s pre-launch pilot trials.
However, once live, the network is expected to realize average rates of 75Mbps and 25Mbps, respectively. The first LTE enabled handset of the telco is expected to hit the stores in 2011, even though initial service coverage is for Tokyo-only, it expects to expand coverage to 50% of the population by 2014.
Moldtelecom launches 3G network (Moldova)
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Commercial launch of W-CDMA/HSDPA services has been announced by Moldovan state-owned incumbent telecoms operator Moldtelecom under the brand name ‘Unite 3G’. A total of MDL250 million (USD19.2 million) has been invested by the telco.
Mobile CDMA2000 1x and 1xEV-DO services is already provided by the operator and it was first introduced in the capital, Chisinau in March 2007 under the ‘Unite’ banner. Mobile broadband at download speeds of up to 14.4Mbps, video calling and high quality voice services will be provided by Moldtelecom’s new 3G.
68% of the population is covered by the 3G network at its launch along with the country’s major cities and regional centers, as well as many rural regions. Increasing maximum downlink speeds to 21Mbps and adding television to its portfolio of services on offer is also on the company’s card.
