Australian mobile network operator Optus has begun the second phase of its trials of Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology in Sydney, iTnews reports. The cellco concluded the first phase of its LTE trials in July 2010, during which it achieved maximum peak downlink rates in excess of 50Mbps between two base stations at Gordon and Pymble in the north of Sydney, operating on the 2100MHz band. The second phase, according to Optus’ director of mobile networks Andrew Smith will take place over a ‘wider operational area’, with the executive adding: ‘We are expanding the pilot trial area to Sydney’s eastern suburbs with a dozen sites in the 1800MHz band.’ Full load testing and 2G/3G/LTE interoperability are also set to be tested in this next round of trials.
A commercial launch may yet be some way off, however, with Mr Smith noting that his company had not yet made a decision about when it would introduce the technology to the public, noting: ‘A major consideration is when LTE devices become widely available in the appropriate spectrum band.’