By Kim Yoo-chul
Staff Reporter
LG Electronics plans to commercialize its fourth-generation (4G) mobile broadband network service from 2009.
LG, the world’s No. 5 handset manufacturer, said on Monday that it will use technology called ``Long Term Evolution (LTE)’’ for advanced services after the company successfully realizes high-speed data transmissions ― data downloading speeds of 60Mbps and uploading speeds of 40Mbps ― by using cellular technology with Alcatel-Lucent and Nortel.
A demonstration was conducted at the company’s booth set up at the GSMA Mobile World Congress, which is currently under way in Barcelona, Spain. The show is the world’s largest mobile telephony event.
``We have engaged in detailed talks with Europe-based major wireless operators for the commercialization of the 4G service from next year,’’ Skott Ahn, chief of LG Electronics Mobile Communication Company, said.
The service, when commercialized, makes it possible for users to download a movie of 700MB in 90 seconds through a mobile phone.
LTE is the next evolution in mobile network standards as defined by the Third Generation Partnership Project standards organization. LTE is an upgraded version of High Speed Downlink Packet Access, a GSM-implemented 3G technology, which is capable of providing data transmission speeds of up to 10Mbps.
Industry estimates show that nearly 26 million subscribers around the world are expected to use LTE-based services by 2012, given increasing customer expectation for easy access, high speed, easy handling and seamless mobility.
LTE was chosen by the GSM Association as the preferred standard for 4G wireless services. Samples of first LTE platform will be available from the second quarter of 2009.
``We have already tested LTE-related equipment and no significant flaws have been found,’’ Ahn said.
LTE is backed by most wireless equipment makers, including Alcatel-Lucent, Ericsson, Nokia, Nokia Siemens Networks and Nortel.