Brussels, 2 April 2010 – Mobistar has implemented its experimental LTE network (Long Term Evolution) after receiving a test licence from BIPT, the Belgian Institute for Postal Services and Telecommunications. The first tests of the LTE network were very successful. Mobistar is innovating the mobile data communication market, confirming its leadership in mobile data applications. Mobistar continues to invest in its 3G network as it awaits the LTE applications for the general public to reach maturity.
Mobistar’s experimental LTE network has become operational today for a limited surface area in the Evere-Diegem zone. The first tests were carried out with specific 4G equipment. For its own tests Mobistar can rely on the expertise of France Télécom, which has been performing LTE tests in Paris for 6 months now.
The first LTE test results are very convincing. Download speeds of more than 60 Mb/s were recorded, 10 times higher than those on the current mobile broadband network. Mobistar recorded response times of 18 milliseconds when testing the LTE network, compared to 70 milliseconds on a 3G/HSDPA network.
In the meantime, Mobistar continues to invest in its existing 3G/HSDPA network. By increasing the transmission speed and capacity of the current mobile broadband network, it is paving the way towards the new generation of mobile broadband. Mobistar will offer its customers an even better broadband experience by increasing the data transfer from 7.2 Mb/s to 14.4 Mb/s by the summer and 28.8 Mb/s by the end of the year. This is done by installing a software upgrade in the radio section and by improving backhaul with microwaves and the fibre-optic network.
Mobistar confirms that it will continue to invest in relevant mobile broadband applications that respond to the ever-evolving needs of its customers. Depending on the terms for purchasing the 4G licence, Mobistar will make an offer.