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The UK’s second largest mobile operator O2 is set to begin a trial of 4G high-speed mobile internet services in London.
The Telefónica owned telco will be testing out the 4G technology known as LTE (long term evolution) which theoretically allows data speeds of up to 150Mb/s.
The trial will run for the next 9 months and cover 25 masts across London covering an area of roughly 40 square kilometers.
Today’s launch of the U.K.’s first 4G London trial network demonstrates our commitment to delivering 4G to our customers at the earliest opportunity," said O2 chief Ronan Dunne.
"The work we are doing now will lay the foundations for our commercial 4G network when it launches in the UK," he added.
O2 will provide those on the trial with mobile broadband dongles, 4G wireless hotspots and 4G-enabled handsets. 1000 people are expected to take part in the trial.
The O2 4G trial will use the 2.6GHz spectrum band under a Test and Development license granted to O2 by Ofcom.
O2 boss Dunne appeared to support recent calls by MPs to allow a smooth auction of spectrum to be used for the new 4G network. "We are actively engaged in the auction and are supportive of a fair process that meets the Government’s and Ofcom’s planned timeline," he said.
