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4G TECHNOLOGY

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This article is about the mobile telecommunications standard. For other uses, see  4G
(disambiguation).

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4G, short for fourth generation, is the fourth generation of mobile

telecommunications technology, succeeding 3G and preceding 5G. A 4G system, in
addition to the usual voice and other services of 3G, provides mobile broadband
Internet access, for example to laptops with wireless modems, to smartphones, and to
other mobile devices. Potential and current applications include amended mobile
web access, IP telephony, gaming services, high-definition mobile TV, video
conferencing, 3D television, and cloud computing.
Two 4G candidate systems are commercially deployed: the Mobile WiMAX standard
(first used in South Korea in 2007), and the first-release Long Term Evolution (LTE)
standard (in Oslo, Norway and Stockholm, Sweden since 2009). It has however been
debated if these first-release versions should be considered to be 4G or not, as
discussed in the technical definitionsection below.
In the United States, Sprint (previously Clearwire) has deployed Mobile WiMAX
networks since 2008, while MetroPCSbecame the first operator to offer LTE service in
2010. USB wireless modems were among the first devices able to access these
networks, with WiMAX smartphones becoming available during 2010, and LTE
smartphones arriving in 2011. 3G and 4G equipment made for other continents are not
always compatible, because of different frequency bands. Mobile WiMAX is not
available for the European market as of April 2012.

Contents
  [hide] 

 1 Technical understanding
 2 Background
 3 IMT-Advanced requirements
 4 System standards
o 4.1 IMT-2000 compliant 4G standards
 4.1.1 LTE Advanced
 2

 4.1.2 IEEE 802.16m or WirelessMAN-Advanced

o 4.2 Forerunner versions
 4.2.1 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE)
 4.2.2 Mobile WiMAX (IEEE 802.16e)
 4.2.3 TD-LTE for China market
o 4.3 Discontinued candidate systems
 4.3.1 UMB (formerly EV-DO Rev. C)
 4.3.2 Flash-OFDM
 4.3.3 iBurst and MBWA (IEEE 802.20) systems
 5 Data rate comparison
 6 Principal technologies in all candidate systems
o 6.1 Key features
o 6.2 Multiplexing and access schemes
o 6.3 IPv6 support
o 6.4 Advanced antenna systems
o 6.5 Open-wireless Architecture and Software-defined radio (SDR)
 7 History of 4G and pre-4G technologies
o 7.1 Deployment plans
 7.1.1 Africa
 7.1.1.1 Rwanda
 7.1.1.2 Kenya
 7.1.1.3 Morocco
 7.1.1.4 Algeria
 7.1.2 Asia
 7.1.2.1 China
 7.1.2.2 Afghanistan
 7.1.2.3 India
 7.1.2.4 Indonesia
 7.1.2.5 Kazakhstan
 7.1.2.6 Maldives
 7.1.2.7 Middle East
 7.1.2.8 Pakistan
 7.1.2.9 Philippines
 7.1.2.10 South Korea
 7.1.2.11 Sri Lanka
 7.1.2.12 Thailand
 7.1.2.13 Turkmenistan
 7.1.3 Europe
 7.1.3.1 Austria
 7.1.3.2 Belgium
 7.1.3.3 France
 7.1.3.4 Germany
 3

 7.1.3.5 Ireland
 7.1.3.6 Italy
 7.1.3.7 Greenland
 7.1.3.8 Luxembourg
 7.1.3.9 Republic of Macedonia
 7.1.3.10 Malta
 7.1.3.11 Netherlands
 7.1.3.12 Norway
 7.1.3.13 Poland
 7.1.3.14 Portugal
 7.1.3.15 Romania
 7.1.3.16 Russian Federation
 7.1.3.17 Scandinavia
 7.1.3.18 Slovakia
 7.1.3.19 Slovenia
 7.1.3.20 Spain
 7.1.3.21 Switzerland
 7.1.3.22 United Kingdom
 7.1.4 The Americas
 7.1.4.1 Canada
 7.1.4.2 Brazil
 7.1.4.3 Mexico
 7.1.4.4 United States
 7.1.5 Oceania
 7.1.5.1 Fiji
 7.1.5.2 New Zealand
 7.1.5.3 Australia
 8 Beyond 4G research
 9 See also
 10 References
 11 External links

Technical understanding[edit]
In March 2008, the International Telecommunications Union-Radio communications
sector (ITU-R) specified a set of requirements for 4G standards, named
the International Mobile Telecommunications Advanced (IMT-Advanced) specification,
setting peak speed requirements for 4G service at 100 megabits per second (Mbit/s) for
high mobility communication (such as from trains and cars) and 1 gigabit per
second (Gbit/s) for low mobility communication (such as pedestrians and stationary
users).[1]
Since the first-release versions of Mobile WiMAX and LTE support much less than
1 Gbit/s peak bit rate, they are not fully IMT-Advanced compliant, but are often branded
4G by service providers. According to operators, a generation of network refers to the
 4

deployment of a new non-backward-compatible technology. On December 6, 2010, ITU-

R recognized that these two technologies, as well as other beyond-3G technologies that
do not fulfill the IMT-Advanced requirements, could nevertheless be considered "4G",
provided they represent forerunners to IMT-Advanced compliant versions and "a
substantial level of improvement in performance and capabilities with respect to the
initial third generation systems now deployed". [2]
Mobile WiMAX Release 2 (also known as WirelessMAN-Advanced or IEEE 802.16m')
and LTE Advanced (LTE-A) are IMT-Advanced compliant backwards compatible
versions of the above two systems, standardized during the spring 2011, [citation needed] and
promising speeds in the order of 1 Gbit/s. Services were expected in 2013.[needs update]
As opposed to earlier generations, a 4G system does not support traditional circuit-
switched telephony service, but all-Internet Protocol (IP) based communication such
as IP telephony. As seen below, the spread spectrum radio technology used in 3G
systems, is abandoned in all 4G candidate systems and replaced by OFDMA multi-
carrier transmission and otherfrequency-domain equalization (FDE) schemes, making it
possible to transfer very high bit rates despite extensive multi-path radio
propagation (echoes). The peak bit rate is further improved by smart antenna arrays
for multiple-input multiple-output(MIMO) communications.

Background[edit]
The nomenclature of the generations generally refers to a change in the fundamental
nature of the service, non-backwards-compatible transmission technology, higher peak
bit rates, new frequency bands, wider channel frequency bandwidth in Hertz, and higher
capacity for many simultaneous data transfers (higher system spectral
efficiency in bit/second/Hertz/site).
New mobile generations have appeared about every ten years since the first move from
1981 analogue (1G) to digital (2G) transmission in 1992. This was followed, in 2001, by
3G multi-media support, spread spectrum transmission and at least 200 kbit/s peak bit
rate, in 2011/2012 to be followed by "real" 4G, which refers to all-Internet
Protocol (IP) packet-switchednetworks giving mobile ultra-broadband (gigabit speed)
access.
While the ITU has adopted recommendations for technologies that would be used for
future global communications, they do not actually perform the standardization or
development work themselves, instead relying on the work of other standard bodies
such as IEEE, The WiMAX Forum and 3GPP.
In the mid-1990s, the ITU-R standardization organization released the IMT-
2000 requirements as a framework for what standards should be
considered 3G systems, requiring 200 kbit/s peak bit rate. In 2008, ITU-R specified
the IMT-Advanced(International Mobile Telecommunications Advanced) requirements
for 4G systems.
The fastest 3G-based standard in the UMTS family is the HSPA+ standard, which is
commercially available since 2009 and offers 28 Mbit/s downstream (22 Mbit/s
upstream) without MIMO, i.e. only with one antenna, and in 2011 accelerated up to
 5

42 Mbit/s peak bit rate downstream using either DC-HSPA+ (simultaneous use of two

5 MHz UMTS carriers)[3] or 2x2 MIMO. In theory speeds up to 672 Mbit/s are possible,
but have not been deployed yet. The fastest 3G-based standard in
theCDMA2000 family is the EV-DO Rev. B, which is available since 2010 and offers
15.67 Mbit/s downstream.[citation needed]

IMT-Advanced requirements[edit]
This article refers to 4G using IMT-Advanced (International Mobile Telecommunications
Advanced), as defined by ITU-R. An IMT-Advanced cellular system must fulfill the
following requirements:[4]

 Be based on an all-IP packet switched network.

 Have peak data rates of up to approximately 100 Mbit/s for high mobility such as
mobile access and up to approximately 1 Gbit/s for low mobility such as
nomadic/local wireless access.[1]
 Be able to dynamically share and use the network resources to support more
simultaneous users per cell.
 Use scale-able channel bandwidths of 5–20 MHz, optionally up to 40 MHz.[1][5]
 Have peak link spectral efficiency of 15-bit/s/Hz in the downlink, and 6.75-bit/s/Hz
in the uplink (meaning that 1 Gbit/s in the downlink should be possible over less
than 67 MHz bandwidth).
 System spectral efficiency is, in indoor cases, 3-bit/s/Hz/cell for downlink and
2.25-bit/s/Hz/cell for uplink.[1]
 Smooth handovers across heterogeneous networks.
 The ability to offer high quality of service for next generation multimedia support.
In September 2009, the technology proposals were submitted to the International
Telecommunication Union (ITU) as 4G candidates. [6] Basically all proposals are based
on two technologies:

 LTE Advanced standardized by the 3GPP

 802.16m standardized by the IEEE (i.e. WiMAX)
Implementations of Mobile WiMAX and first-release LTE are largely considered a
stopgap solution that will offer a considerable boost until WiMAX 2 (based on the
802.16m spec) and LTE Advanced are deployed. The latter's standard versions were
ratified in spring 2011, but are still far from being implemented. [4]
The first set of 3GPP requirements on LTE Advanced was approved in June 2008.
[7]
 LTE Advanced was to be standardized in 2010 as part of Release 10 of the 3GPP
specification. LTE Advanced will be based on the existing LTE specification Release 10
and will not be defined as a new specification series. A summary of the technologies
that have been studied as the basis for LTE Advanced is included in a technical report. [8]
Some sources consider first-release LTE and Mobile WiMAX implementations as pre-
4G or near-4G, as they do not fully comply with the planned requirements of 1 Gbit/s for
stationary reception and 100 Mbit/s for mobile.[citation needed]
 6

Confusion has been caused by some mobile carriers who have launched products
advertised as 4G but which according to some sources are pre-4G versions, [citation
needed]
 commonly referred to as '3.9G', [citation needed] which do not follow the ITU-R defined
principles for 4G standards,[citation needed] but today can be called 4G according to ITU-R.
[citation needed]
 A common argument for branding 3.9G systems as new-generation is that
they use different frequency bands from 3G technologies ;[citation needed] that they are based
on a new radio-interface paradigm ;[citation needed] and that the standards are not backwards
compatible with 3G,[citation needed] whilst some of the standards are forwards compatible with
IMT-2000 compliant versions of the same standards.[citation needed]

System standards[edit]
IMT-2000 compliant 4G standards[edit]
As of October 2010, ITU-R Working Party 5D approved two industry-developed
technologies (LTE Advanced and WirelessMAN-Advanced) [9] for inclusion in the ITU’s
International Mobile Telecommunications Advanced program (IMT-Advanced program),
which is focused on global communication systems that will be available several years
from now.
LTE Advanced[edit]
See also: 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) below
LTE Advanced (Long Term Evolution Advanced) is a candidate for IMT-Advanced
standard, formally submitted by the 3GPPorganization to ITU-T in the fall 2009, and
expected to be released in 2013. The target of 3GPP LTE Advanced is to reach and
surpass the ITU requirements.[10] LTE Advanced is essentially an enhancement to
LTE. It is not a new technology, but rather an improvement on the existing LTE
network. This upgrade path makes it more cost effective for vendors to offer LTE
and then upgrade to LTE Advanced which is similar to the upgrade from WCDMA to
HSPA. LTE and LTE Advanced will also make use of additional spectrums and
multiplexing to allow it to achieve higher data speeds. Coordinated Multi-point
Transmission will also allow more system capacity to help handle the enhanced data
speeds. Release 10 of LTE is expected to achieve the IMT Advanced speeds.
Release 8 currently supports up to 300 Mbit/s of download speeds which is still short
of the IMT-Advanced standards.[11]

Data speeds of LTE Advanced

LTE Advanced

Peak download 1 Gbit/s

Peak upload 500 Mbit/s

 7

IEEE 802.16m or WirelessMAN-Advanced[edit]

The IEEE 802.16m or WirelessMAN-Advanced evolution of 802.16e is under
development, with the objective to fulfill the IMT-Advanced criteria of 1 Gbit/s for
stationary reception and 100 Mbit/s for mobile reception.[12]
Forerunner versions[edit]
3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE)[edit]
See also: LTE Advanced above

Telia-branded Samsung LTE modem

The pre-4G 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology is often branded "4G-
LTE", but the first LTE release does not fully comply with the IMT-Advanced
requirements. LTE has a theoretical net bit rate capacity of up to 100 Mbit/s in
the downlink and 50 Mbit/s in the uplink if a 20 MHz channel is used — and
more ifmultiple-input multiple-output (MIMO), i.e. antenna arrays, are used.
The physical radio interface was at an early stage named High
Speed OFDM Packet Access (HSOPA), now named Evolved UMTS Terrestrial
Radio Access (E-UTRA). The first LTE USB dongles do not support any other
radio interface.
The world's first publicly available LTE service was opened in the two
Scandinavian capitals, Stockholm (Ericsson and Nokia Siemens
Networks systems) and Oslo (aHuawei system) on December 14, 2009, and
branded 4G. The user terminals were manufactured by Samsung. [13] As of
November 2012, the five publicly available LTE services in the United States are
provided by MetroPCS,[14] Verizon Wireless,[15]AT&T Mobility, U.S. Cellular,
[16]
 Sprint,[17] and T-Mobile US.[18]
 8

T-Mobile Hungary launched a public beta test (called friendly user test) on 7

October 2011, and has offered commercial 4G LTE services since 1 January
2012.[citation needed]
In South Korea, SK Telecom and LG U+ have enabled access to LTE service
since 1 July 2011 for data devices, slated to go nationwide by 2012. [19] KT
Telecom closed its 2G service by March 2012, and complete the nationwide LTE
service in the same frequency around 1.8 GHz by June 2012.
In the United Kingdom, LTE services were launched by EE in October 2012,
[20]
 and by O2 and Vodafone in August 2013.[21]

Data speeds of LTE

LTE

Peak download 100 Mbit/s

Peak upload 50 Mbit/s

Mobile WiMAX (IEEE 802.16e)[edit]

The Mobile WiMAX (IEEE 802.16e-2005) mobile wireless broadband access
(MWBA) standard (also known as WiBro in South Korea) is sometimes branded
4G, and offers peak data rates of 128 Mbit/s downlink and 56 Mbit/s uplink over
20 MHz wide channels.[citation needed]
In June 2006, the world's first commercial mobile WiMAX service was opened
by KT in Seoul, South Korea.[22]
Sprint has begun using Mobile WiMAX, as of 29 September 2008, branding it as
a "4G" network even though the current version does not fulfil the IMT Advanced
requirements on 4G systems.[23]
In Russia, Belarus and Nicaragua WiMax broadband internet access is offered
by a Russian company Scartel, and is also branded 4G, Yota.

Data speeds of WiMAX

WiMAX

Peak download 128 Mbit/s

 9

Peak upload 56 Mbit/s

TD-LTE for China market[edit]

Just as Long-Term Evolution (LTE) and WiMAX are being vigorously promoted
in the global telecommunications industry, the former (LTE) is also the most
powerful 4G mobile communications leading technology and has quickly
occupied the Chinese market. TD-LTE, one of the two variants of the LTE air
interface technologies, is not yet mature, but many domestic and international
wireless carriers are, one after the other turning to TD-LTE.
IBM's data shows that 67% of the operators are considering LTE because this is
the main source of their future market. The above news also confirms IBM's
statement that while only 8% of the operators are considering the use of WiMAX,
WiMAX can provide the fastest network transmission to its customers on the
market and could challenge LTE.
TD-LTE is not the first 4G wireless mobile broadband network data standard, but
it is China's 4G standard that was amended and published by China's largest
telecom operator - China Mobile. After a series of field trials, is expected to be
released into the commercial phase in the next two years. Ulf Ewaldsson,
Ericsson's vice president said: "the Chinese Ministry of Industry and China
Mobile in the fourth quarter of this year will hold a large-scale field test, by then,
Ericsson will help the hand." But viewing from the current development trend,
whether this standard advocated by China Mobile will be widely recognized by
the international market is still debatable.
Discontinued candidate systems[edit]
UMB (formerly EV-DO Rev. C)[edit]
Main article: Ultra Mobile Broadband
UMB (Ultra Mobile Broadband) was the brand name for a discontinued 4G
project within the 3GPP2 standardization group to improve
the CDMA2000 mobile phone standard for next generation applications and
requirements. In November 2008,Qualcomm, UMB's lead sponsor, announced it
was ending development of the technology, favouring LTE instead. [24] The
objective was to achieve data speeds over 275 Mbit/s downstream and over
75 Mbit/s upstream.
Flash-OFDM[edit]
At an early stage the Flash-OFDM system was expected to be further developed
into a 4G standard.
iBurst and MBWA (IEEE 802.20) systems[edit]
The iBurst system (or HC-SDMA, High Capacity Spatial Division Multiple
Access) was at an early stage considered to be a 4G predecessor. It was later
further developed into the Mobile Broadband Wireless Access (MBWA) system,
also known as IEEE 802.20.
 10

Data rate comparison[edit]

The following table shows a comparison of the 4G candidate systems as well as
other competing technologies.

Comparison of mobile Internet access methods

Downs Upst
Common Famil Prima Radio tream ream
Notes
Name y ry Use Tech (Mbit/ (Mbi
s) t/s)

HSPA+ is
widely
deployed.
Revision
11 of the
21 5.8
CDMA/FD 3GPP
42 11.5
HSPA+ 3GPP 3G Data D states
84 22
MIMO thatHSPA+ 
672 168
is expected
to have a
throughput
capacity of
672 Mbit/s.

LTE-
Advancedu
pdate
50
100 Cat3 expected to
Cat3/4
150 Cat4 offer peak
OFDMA/M 75 Cat5
General 300 Cat5 rates up to
LTE 3GPP IMO/SC- (in
4G (in 1 Gbit/s
FDMA 20 MH
20 MHz fixed
z FDD)
FDD) [25] [25] speeds and
100 Mb/s
to mobile
users.

WiMax rel 1 802.16 Wireless MIMO- 37 17 With 2x2

MAN SOFDMA (10 MHz (10 M MIMO.[26]
TDD) Hz
 11

Comparison of mobile Internet access methods

Downs Upst
Common Famil Prima Radio tream ream
Notes
Name y ry Use Tech (Mbit/ (Mbi
s) t/s)

TDD)

46 With 2x2
83 (20 M MIMO.En
(20 MHz Hz hanced
802.16- Wireless MIMO- TDD) TDD) with
WiMax rel 1.5
2009 MAN SOFDMA 141 138 20 MHz
(2x20 M (2x20  channels in
Hz FDD) MHz 802.16-
FDD) 2009[26]

2x2
MIMO
2x2 70
MIMO (20 M
110 Hz
Also, low
(20 MHz TDD)
mobility
TDD) 188
users can
183 (2x20 
aggregate
(2x20 M MHz
multiple
802.16 Wireless MIMO- Hz FDD) FDD)
WiMAX rel 2 channels to
m MAN SOFDMA 4x4 4x4
get a
MIMO MIMO
download
219 140
throughput
(20 MHz (20 M
of up to
TDD) Hz
1 Gbit/s[26]
365 TDD)
(2x20 M 376
Hz FDD) (2x20 
MHz
FDD)
 12

Comparison of mobile Internet access methods

Downs Upst
Common Famil Prima Radio tream ream
Notes
Name y ry Use Tech (Mbit/ (Mbi
s) t/s)

Mobile
Mobile
range
Internet
30 km (18
mobility 5.3 1.8
Flash- Flash- miles)
Flash-OFDM up to 10.6 3.6
OFDM OFDM extended
200 mph 15.9 5.4
range 55
(350 km/
km (34
h)
miles)

HIPER Mobile
HIPERMAN OFDM 56.9
MAN Internet

Wi-Fi 802.11 Mobile I OFDM/MI 288.8 (using 4x4 Antenna, R

in F front
(11n) nternet MO configuration
endenhanc
20 MHz
bandwidth) or 600 ements and
(using 4x4 minor
configuration in protocol
timer
40 MHz
tweaks
bandwidth)
have
helped
deploy
long
range P2Pn
etworks
compromis
ing on
radial
coverage,
throughput
and/or
spectra
efficiency
 13

Comparison of mobile Internet access methods

Downs Upst
Common Famil Prima Radio tream ream
Notes
Name y ry Use Tech (Mbit/ (Mbi
s) t/s)

(310 km &
382 km)

Cell
Radius: 3–
12 km
Speed:
250 km/h
HC- Spectral
Mobile I
iBurst 802.20 SDMA/TD 95 36 Efficiency:
nternet
D/MIMO 13
bits/s/Hz/c
ell
Spectrum
Reuse
Factor: "1"
EDGE Mobile I TDMA/FD 3GPP Rele
GSM 1.6 0.5
Evolution nternet D ase 7
HSDPA is
widely
deployed.
Typical
CDMA/FD downlink
UMTS W-
D rates today
CDMA UMTS/ General 0.384 0.384
2 Mbit/s,
HSPA(HSDP 3GSM 3G 14.4 5.76
CDMA/FD ~200 kbit/s
A+HSUPA)
D/MIMO uplink;
HSPA+
downlink
up to
56 Mbit/s.
UMTS-TDD UMTS/ Mobile CDMA/TD 16 Reported
3GSM Internet D speeds
according
toIPWirele
 14

Comparison of mobile Internet access methods

Downs Upst
Common Famil Prima Radio tream ream
Notes
Name y ry Use Tech (Mbit/ (Mbi
s) t/s)

ssusing
16QAM
modulation
similar
toHSDPA+
HSUPA
Rev B
note: N is
the number
of
1.25 MHz
carriers
used. EV-
DO is not
EV-DO Rel. 0 2.45 0.15
CDMA Mobile CDMA/FD designed
EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 1.8
2000 Internet D for voice,
EV-DO Rev.B 4.9xN 1.8xN
and
requires a
fallback to
1xRTT
when a
voice call
is placed or
received.
Notes: All speeds are theoretical maximums and will vary by a number of factors,
including the use of external antennas, distance from the tower and the ground
speed (e.g. communications on a train may be poorer than when standing still).
Usually the bandwidth is shared between several terminals. The performance of
each technology is determined by a number of constraints, including the spectral
efficiency of the technology, the cell sizes used, and the amount of spectrum
available. For more information, see Comparison of wireless data standards.
For more comparison tables, see bit rate progress trends, comparison of mobile
phone standards, spectral efficiency comparison table and OFDM system
comparison table.

Principal technologies in all candidate systems[edit]

 15

Key features[edit]
The following key features can be observed in all suggested 4G technologies:

 Physical layer transmission techniques are as follows: [27]

 MIMO: To attain ultra high spectral efficiency by means of spatial
processing including multi-antenna and multi-user MIMO
 Frequency-domain-equalization, for example multi-carrier
modulation (OFDM) in the downlink or single-carrier frequency-domain-
equalization (SC-FDE) in the uplink: To exploit the frequency selective
channel property without complex equalization
 Frequency-domain statistical multiplexing, for example (OFDMA) or
(single-carrier FDMA) (SC-FDMA, a.k.a. linearly precoded OFDMA, LP-
OFDMA) in the uplink: Variable bit rate by assigning different sub-
channels to different users based on the channel conditions
 Turbo principle error-correcting codes: To minimize the required SNR at
the reception side
 Channel-dependent scheduling: To use the time-varying channel
 Link adaptation: Adaptive modulation and error-correcting codes
 Mobile-IP utilized for mobility
 IP-based femtocells (home nodes connected to fixed Internet broadband
infrastructure)
As opposed to earlier generations, 4G systems do not support circuit switched
telephony. IEEE 802.20, UMB and OFDM standards [28] lack soft-
handover support, also known as cooperative relaying.
Multiplexing and access schemes[edit]
This section contains information of unclear or
questionable importance orrelevance to the article's subject
matter. Please help improve this article by clarifying or
removing superfluous information. (May 2010)
Recently, new access schemes like Orthogonal FDMA (OFDMA), Single Carrier
FDMA (SC-FDMA), Interleaved FDMA, andMulti-carrier CDMA (MC-CDMA) are
gaining more importance for the next generation systems. These are based on
efficientFFT algorithms and frequency domain equalization, resulting in a lower
number of multiplications per second. They also make it possible to control the
bandwidth and form the spectrum in a flexible way. However, they require
advanced dynamic channel allocation and adaptive traffic scheduling.
WiMax is using OFDMA in the downlink and in the uplink. For the LTE
(telecommunication), OFDMA is used for the downlink; by contrast, Single-
carrier FDMA is used for the uplink since OFDMA contributes more to
the PAPR related issues and results in nonlinear operation of amplifiers. IFDMA
provides less power fluctuation and thus requires energy-inefficient linear
amplifiers. Similarly, MC-CDMA is in the proposal for the IEEE 802.20 standard.
 16

These access schemes offer the same efficiencies as older technologies like
CDMA. Apart from this, scalability and higher data rates can be achieved.
The other important advantage of the above-mentioned access techniques is
that they require less complexity for equalization at the receiver. This is an
added advantage especially in the MIMO environments since the spatial
multiplexingtransmission of MIMO systems inherently require high complexity
equalization at the receiver.
In addition to improvements in these multiplexing systems,
improved modulation techniques are being used. Whereas earlier standards
largely used Phase-shift keying, more efficient systems such as 64QAM are
being proposed for use with the3GPP Long Term Evolution standards.
IPv6 support[edit]
Main articles: Network layer, Internet protocol and IPv6
Unlike 3G, which is based on two parallel infrastructures consisting of circuit
switched and packet switched network nodes, 4G will be based on packet
switching only. This will require low-latency data transmission.
By the time that 4G was deployed, the process of IPv4 address exhaustion was
expected to be in its final stages. Therefore, in the context of 4G, IPv6 is
essential to support a large number of wireless-enabled devices. By increasing
the number of IP addresses available, IPv6 removes the need for network
address translation (NAT), a method of sharing a limited number of addresses
among a larger group of devices, although NAT will still be required to
communicate with devices that are on existing IPv4 networks.
As of June 2009, Verizon has posted specifications that require any 4G devices
on its network to support IPv6.[29]
Advanced antenna systems[edit]
Main articles: MIMO and MU-MIMO
The performance of radio communications depends on an antenna system,
termed smart or intelligent antenna. Recently,multiple antenna technologies are
emerging to achieve the goal of 4G systems such as high rate, high reliability,
and long range communications. In the early 1990s, to cater for the growing data
rate needs of data communication, many transmission schemes were proposed.
One technology, spatial multiplexing, gained importance for its bandwidth
conservation and power efficiency. Spatial multiplexing involves deploying
multiple antennas at the transmitter and at the receiver. Independent streams
can then be transmitted simultaneously from all the antennas. This technology,
called MIMO(as a branch of intelligent antenna), multiplies the base data rate by
(the smaller of) the number of transmit antennas or the number of receive
antennas. Apart from this, the reliability in transmitting high speed data in the
fading channel can be improved by using more antennas at the transmitter or at
the receiver. This is called transmit or receive diversity. Both transmit/receive
diversity and transmit spatial multiplexing are categorized into the space-time
coding techniques, which does not necessarily require the channel knowledge at
 17

the transmitter. The other category is closed-loop multiple antenna technologies,

which require channel knowledge at the transmitter.
Open-wireless Architecture and Software-defined radio (SDR)[edit]
One of the key technologies for 4G and beyond is called Open Wireless
Architecture (OWA), supporting multiple wireless air interfaces in an open
architecture platform.
SDR is one form of open wireless architecture (OWA). Since 4G is a collection of
wireless standards, the final form of a 4G device will constitute various
standards. This can be efficiently realized using SDR technology, which is
categorized to the area of the radio convergence.

History of 4G and pre-4G technologies[edit]

The 4G system was originally envisioned by the Defense Advanced Research
Projects Agency (DARPA).[citation needed] The DARPA selected the distributed
architecture and end-to-end Internet protocol (IP), and believed at an early stage
in peer-to-peer networking in which every mobile device would be both a
transceiver and a router for other devices in the network, eliminating the spoke-
and-hub weakness of 2G and 3G cellular systems. [30][page  needed] Since the 2.5G
GPRS system, cellular systems have provided dual infrastructures: packet
switched nodes for data services, and circuit switched nodes for voice calls. In
4G systems, the circuit-switched infrastructure is abandoned and only a packet-
switched network is provided, while 2.5G and 3G systems require both packet-
switched and circuit-switched network nodes, i.e. two infrastructures in parallel.
This means that in 4G, traditional voice calls are replaced by IP telephony.

 In 2002, the strategic vision for 4G—which ITU designated as IMT-Advanced

—was laid out.
 In 2005, OFDMA transmission technology is chosen as candidate for
the HSOPA downlink, later renamed 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) air
interface E-UTRA.
 In November 2005, KT demonstrated mobile WiMAX service in Busan, South
Korea.[31]
 In April 2006, KT started the world's first commercial mobile WiMAX service
in Seoul, South Korea.[32]
 In mid-2006, Sprint announced that it would invest about US$5 billion in
a WiMAX technology buildout over the next few years [33] ($5.85 billion
in real terms[34]). Since that time Sprint has faced many setbacks that have
resulted in steep quarterly losses. On 7 May
2008, Sprint, Imagine, Google, Intel, Comcast, Bright House, and Time
Warner announced a pooling of an average of 120 MHz of spectrum; Sprint
merged its Xohm WiMAX division with Clearwire to form a company which
will take the name "Clear".
 In February 2007, the Japanese company NTT DoCoMo tested a 4G
communication system prototype with 4×4 MIMOcalled VSF-OFCDM at
 18

100 Mbit/s while moving, and 1 Gbit/s while stationary. NTT DoCoMo

completed a trial in which they reached a maximum packet transmission rate
of approximately 5 Gbit/s in the downlink with 12×12 MIMO using a 100 MHz
frequency bandwidth while moving at 10 km/h,[35] and is planning on
releasing the first commercial network in 2010.
 In September 2007, NTT Docomo demonstrated e-UTRA data rates of
200 Mbit/s with power consumption below 100 mW during the test.[36]
 In January 2008, a U.S. Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) spectrum auction for the 700 MHz former analog TV
frequencies began. As a result, the biggest share of the spectrum went to
Verizon Wireless and the next biggest to AT&T. [37] Both of these companies
have stated their intention of supporting LTE.
 In January 2008, EU commissioner Viviane Reding suggested re-allocation
of 500–800 MHz spectrum for wireless communication, including WiMAX. [38]
 On 15 February 2008, Skyworks Solutions released a front-end module for e-
UTRAN.[39][40][41]
 In November 2008, ITU-R established the detailed performance
requirements of IMT-Advanced, by issuing a Circular Letter calling for
candidate Radio Access Technologies (RATs) for IMT-Advanced. [42]
 In April 2008, just after receiving the circular letter, the 3GPP organized a
workshop on IMT-Advanced where it was decided that LTE Advanced, an
evolution of current LTE standard, will meet or even exceed IMT-Advanced
requirements following the ITU-R agenda.
 In April 2008, LG and Nortel demonstrated e-UTRA data rates of 50 Mbit/s
while travelling at 110 km/h.[43]
 On 12 November 2008, HTC announced the first WiMAX-enabled mobile
phone, the Max 4G[44]
 In 15 December 2008, San Miguel Corporation, the largest food and
beverage conglomerate in southeast Asia, has signed a memorandum of
understanding with Qatar Telecom QSC (Qtel) to build wireless broadband
and mobile communications projects in the Philippines. The joint-venture
formed wi-tribe Philippines, which offers 4G in the country. [45] Around the
same time Globe Telecom rolled out the first WiMAX service in the
Philippines.
 On 3 March 2009, Lithuania's LRTC announcing the first operational
"4G" mobile WiMAX network in Baltic states.[46]
 In December 2009, Sprint began advertising "4G" service in selected cities in
the United States, despite average download speeds of only 3–6 Mbit/s with
peak speeds of 10 Mbit/s (not available in all markets).[47]
 On 14 December 2009, the first commercial LTE deployment was in the
Scandinavian capitals Stockholm and Oslo by the Swedish-Finnish network
operator TeliaSonera and its Norwegian brandname NetCom (Norway).
TeliaSonera branded the network "4G". The modem devices on offer were
manufactured by Samsung (dongle GT-B3710), and the network
infrastructure created by Huawei (in Oslo) and Ericsson (in Stockholm).
 19

TeliaSonera plans to roll out nationwide LTE across Sweden, Norway and
Finland.[48][49] TeliaSonera used spectral bandwidth of 10 MHz, and single-in-
single-out, which should provide physical layer net bitrates of up to 50 Mbit/s
downlink and 25 Mbit/s in the uplink. Introductory tests showed
a TCP throughput of 42.8 Mbit/s downlink and 5.3 Mbit/s uplink in Stockholm.
[50]

 On 25 February 2010, Estonia's EMT opened LTE "4G" network working in

test regime.[51]
 On 4 June 2010, Sprint released the first WiMAX smartphone in the US,
the HTC Evo 4G.[52]
 In July 2010, Uzbekistan's MTS deployed LTE in Tashkent.[53]
 On 25 August 2010, Latvia's LMT opened LTE "4G" network working in test
regime 50% of territory.
 On November 4, 2010, the Samsung Galaxy Craft offered by MetroPCS is
the first commercially available LTE smartphone [54]
 On 6 December 2010, at the ITU World Radiocommunication Seminar 2010,
the ITU stated that LTE, WiMax and similar "evolved 3G technologies" could
be considered "4G".[2]
 On 12 December 2010, VivaCell-MTS launches in Armenia a 4G/LTE
commercial test network with a live demo conducted in Yerevan.[55]
 On 28 April 2011, Lithuania's Omnitel opened a LTE "4G" network working in
the 5 largest cities.[56]
 In September 2011, all three Saudi telecom
companies STC, Mobily and Zain announced that they will offer 4G LTE for
USB modem dongles, with further development for phones by 2013. [57]
 In 2011, Argentina's Claro launched a pre-4G HSPA+ network in the country.
 In 2011, Thailand's Truemove-H launched a pre-4G HSPA+ network with
nationwide availability.
 On March 17, 2011, the HTC Thunderbolt offered by Verizon in the U.S. was
the second LTE smartphone to be sold commercially. [58][59]
 On 31 January 2012, Thailand's AIS and its subsidiaries DPC under
cooperation with CAT Telecom for 1800 MHz frequency band and TOT for
2300 MHz frequency band launched the first field trial LTE in Thailand with
authorization from NBTC.[60]
 In February 2012, Ericsson demonstrated mobile-TV over LTE, utilizing the
new eMBMS service (enhanced Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service).[61]
 On 10 April 2012, Bharti Airtel launched 4G LTE in Kolkata, first in India.[62]
 On 20 May 2012, Azerbaijan's biggest mobile operator Azercell launched
4G LTE.[63]
 On 10 October 2012, Vodacom (Vodafone South Africa) became the first
operator in South Africa to launch a commercial LTE service.
 In December 2012, Telcel launches in Mexico the 4G LTE network in 9 major
cities
 20

 In Kazakhstan, 4G LTE was launched on December 26, 2012 in the entire

territory in the frequency bands 1865–1885/1760–1780 MHz for the urban
population and in 794-799/835-840 MHz for those sparsely populated
Deployment plans[edit]
Africa[edit]
Rwanda[edit]
As of 11 November 2014 Rwanda became the newest country to begin
introducing 4G LTE services in its capital Kigali after months of testing.[64]
Kenya[edit]
Safaricom, the company with a 79% share of the market released its 4G network
on December 4, 2014 in Nairobi andMombasa ahead of rivals Airtel Kenya,
yuMobile and Orange Kenya.[65]
Morocco[edit]
In 2009, Morocco launched Maroc Numeric 2013, an accelerated plan to position
the country among the leading emerging countries in communications and
technology.[66] Discussions about the introduction of 4G surfaced since 2012 by
the National Telecom Regulatory Agency (ANRT) and the 3 major providers, but
licenses and auctions were delayed until late 2013. [67]
As of November 2014, Maroc Telecom, Meditel and Inwi have already realised
tests over mobile 4G and succeed to reach debits up to 100Mbit/s. [68]
The official launch of 4G is due in early 2015. [69]
On 12 March 2015, ANRT have reviewed all applications, and accorded 4G
licenses to the main operators.
Algeria[edit]
Algérie Télécom announced the official launch of its new fixed-wireless LTE
high-speed Internet, Tuesday, April 29, 2014. [70]Although the company brands its
offer as 4G, the network is available only through fixed home equipments, the
mobile 4G is yet to be launched in late 2015. [71]
Just few days after the announcements, controversies circulated around the use
of the term 4G to describe the offers.[72]
Asia[edit]
China[edit]
In China, there are over 160 million 4G users.
Afghanistan[edit]
Telecom giant Etisalat Afghanistan, the first telecom company to launch 3.75G
services in Afghanistan on 19th Feb, 2013 announced the commencement of
test of its Long-term Evolution (LTE) 4G mobile network.
India[edit]
 21

Bharti Airtel launched India's first 4G service, using TD-LTE technology,

in Kolkata on 10 April 2012.[73] On June 2013 prior to the official launch in
Kolkata, a group consisting of China Mobile, Bharti Airtel and SoftBank
Mobile came together, called Global TD-LTE Initiative (GTI) in Barcelona,
Spain and they signed the commitment towards TD-LTE standards for the Asian
region. It must be noted that Bharti Airtel's 4G network does not support
mainstream 4G phones such as Samsung Galaxy Note 3, Samsung Galaxy S4
and others.

 Bharti Airtel 4G services are available

in Kolkata, Bangalore, Pune, Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam and Chandigarh re
gion (The Tricity or Chandigarh region consists of a major city
Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula). Since May 2015, Airtel had also
partnered with Samsung India to introduce 4G services in Chennai, on a trial
basis.[74]
 RIL is launching 4G services through its subsidiary, Jio Infocomm. RIL 4G
services are currently available only inJamnagar, where it is testing the new
TD-LTE technology. Reliance's 4G rollout is planned to start
in Delhi, Mumbai andKolkata and expand to cover 700 cities, including 100
high-priority markets in 2015.[75]
 Bharti Airtel launched 4G on mobiles in Bangalore, thus becoming the first in
India to offer such a service on 14th Feb, 2014
 Bharti Airtel in July 2014, expanded 4G services to many cities
in Punjab like Amritsar, Patiala, Hoshiarpur, Ajitgarh,Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Ph
agwara and Kapurthala.[76] Until July 2014, Customers in these cities access
4G services through dongles and wifi modems on Apple iPhone 5S and
5C, XOLO LT 900 and LG G2 (model D802T).
 Aircel in July 2014, launched 4G in four circles Andhra Pradesh,
[77]
 Assam, Bihar and Odisha.[78]
India uses 2.3 GHz frequency (band 40).
Tikona Digital Networks holds broadband wireless access spectrum in the
2300 MHz band and is waiting for the appropriate time and maturity of the 4G
ecosystem before making a foray into the space. Tikona holds 4G
spectrum[79] licences in five circles in northwest India, covering Gujarat,
Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh (East and West) and Himachal Pradesh. [80]
Indonesia[edit]
During APEC meeting on October 1–8, 2013 in Bali, Telkomsel will conduct 4G
LTE network trial. Telkomsel 4G LTE network will operate at 1800 MHz
frequency. As part of the program it will sell "simPATI LTE Trial Edition" prepaid
SIM card.[81]
Since November 2013, PT Internux, with brand Bolt 4G, has commercialized
LTE 4G service using TDD-LTE. Initially, Bolt 4G is only available on 2300 MHz
covering Jakarta and the surrounding cities.[82]
 22

Kazakhstan[edit]
By the end of 2012, the national telecommunication operator JSC
Kazakhtelecom launched 4G services in both Astana and Almaty. It is expected
that by the end of 2013 the service will be available across the whole country.
[citation needed]

Maldives[edit]
4G technology was introduced for the 1st time in Maldives by Ooredoo (formerly
known as Wataniya) in April 2013. Currently serving over 33% of the population
in Male, Hulhumale, Villingilli and Maafushi Island. Ooredoo operates its 4G
network in both 700 MHz and 1800 MHz.[citation needed]
Middle East[edit]

 Saudi Arabia: In mid September 2011, Mobily, announced their 4G LTE

networks to be ready after months of testing and evaluations.
 Oman: In July 2012, Omantel launched 4G LTE commercially.[83] In February
2013, Nawras launched 4G LTE commercially.[84][85]
 UAE: In December 2012, Etisalat announced the commercial launch of 4G
LTE services covering over 70% of country's urban areas. [citation needed] As of
May, 2013 only few areas have been covered.[citation needed].
 Lebanon: In 2012, Alfa and touch, announced their 4G LTE networks to be
ready after months of testing and evaluations. And 4G LTE was officially
launched in April 2013.[citation needed]
 Qatar: 15 April 2013, Qtel, (now called Ooredoo) launched its first 4G LTE
commercially in Qatar. after that Ooredoo also launched 4G+. on 3 June
2014 Vodafone Launched 4G in Doha [86]
 Iran: MTN Irancell launched Iran's first 4G LTE network in November
2014 shortly after regulatory's approval.
 Jordan: In February 2015, Zain Jordan launched 4G LTE commercially.[87]
Pakistan[edit]
Main article: Pakistani Telecom Spectrum Auction
On July 7, 2013, the Government of Pakistan announced the auction of 3G/4G
operators in Pakistan[88]
On 23 April 2014, the government auctioned of 3G and 4G licenses to cellular
service providers raising $1.182 billion in revenues. Zong became the country's
first and only company to win a 4G license. Mobilink and Zong bid for the
‘superior’ 10 MHz band, while Telenor and Ufone preferred to bid on the cheaper
5 MHz band. Although Mobilink, having acquired the 10 MHz band, qualified for
a 4G licence too, they opted not to go all the way. [89]
On May 2, 2014, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority allowed Warid Telecom
to go public with 4G LTE services. Warid has planned to launch the service. If
sources are to be believed then Warid is aiming to run the test on 4G LTE in last
 23

week of May 2014, while its already in process of deploying 4G LTE network in 5
cities, which it will announce after successful tests accordingly. [citation needed]
Philippines[edit]
As part of its massive network upgrade, Globe [90] has launched its 4th
Generation Long-Term Evolution (4G LTE) network for mobile and broadband.
To date, Globe has completed over 2,700 4G LTE network sites, with the
number expected to rise to over 4000 by the end of 2012.
In September, Globe launched its 4G LTE network covering key commercial as
well as residential areas in Makati, with more sites following shortly in Manila,
Cebu, Davao, and other select regions. As more key activations are completed
in the coming months, Globe subscribers will soon enjoy best-in-class mobile
and broadband services across the Philippines. [citation needed]
Smart Communications was the first to roll out the 4G LTE in the country
(Philippines). Over 900 sites served nationwide with partner
establishments. Cherry Mobile was the first local brand to release LTE ready
mobile phone in the Philippines with its Cherry Mobile W900 LTE and Ultra
others are Cosmos Force, their recent Flagship Cosmos One Plus and the
Newly Released Cosmos S2.
South Korea[edit]
On July 7, 2008, South Korea announced plans to spend 60 billion won, or
US$58,000,000, on developing 4G and even 5G technologies, with the goal of
having the highest mobile phone market share by 2012, and the hope of
becoming an international standard. [91]
Sri Lanka[edit]
On December 30, 2012, Dialog Broadband Networks launched Sri Lanka's first
fixed TD-LTE service.[92]
On April 2, 2013, Dialog Axiata launched South Asia's first FD-LTE service in Sri
Lanka.[93]
On June 2, 2013, Mobitel launched FD-LTE service in Sri Lanka. [94]
On January 19, 2014, Sri Lanka Telecom successfully demonstrated & launched
its 4G LTE service.[95]
Thailand[edit]
Thailand National Broadcasting & Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has
earmarked 1.8 GHz and 2.3 GHz spectrum for 4G services. The 1.8 GHz will be
available for auction around the 4th quarter of 2014 when the license for GSM
service on the spectrum will expire. The 2.3 GHz spectrum is currently held by
TOT Corp, a state enterprise. Negotiation on refarming part of the band is
ongoing.[citation needed]
Truemove-H has launched Thailand's first commercial 4G LTE service on 8 May
2013 using 2100 MHz Band I.[96]
 24

Operator Frequency ( MHz)

Truemove-
2100
H

DTAC 2100

Turkmenistan[edit]
On 18 September 2013, the national telecommunication operator TM
Cell launched 4G services in Turkmenistan.[97]
Europe[edit]
Austria[edit]
In August, 2009 Huawei and T-Mobile introduced Europe's largest trial LTE
network. Both companies set up 60 cells inInnsbruck which are since July 2009
in service.[98]
In June, 2010 A1 Telekom Austria tested LTE with its partner Huawei in Vienna.
[99]

On October 18, 2010, the allocation procedure for 2600 MHz frequency band
was completed.[100] The following figure shows the current allocation for this
frequency band:[101][102]

A1 T-
E- Typ Orange
Frequenc Bandwidt Teleko Mobile Hutchiso
UTRA e of Austria
y h m Austri n3
Band LTE *
Austria a

2x20 2x20
VII (7) 2x20 2x10
2600 MH 2×70 MHz FDD MHz MHz
XXXVII MHz MHz
z 1×50 MHz TDD 1x25 1x25
I (38) - -
MHz MHz

 *License holder formerly Orange Austria, now Hutchison Drei Austria GmbH
A1 Telekom Austria started the first commercial (FDD-)LTE service in Austria on
19 October 2010. Iniatially A1 Telekom Austria covered Vienna with
49 eNodeB's and St. Pölten with 3 eNodeB's.[103]
On 28 July 2011, T-Mobile Austria launched commercial LTE service in
Vienna, Linz, Graz and Innsbruck.[104]
 25

After A1 Telekom Austria and T-Mobile Austria started their LTE service
Austria's smallest operator 3 introduced LTE commercially on 18 November
2011.[105]
In March, 2012, A1 Telekom Austria integrated Circuit-switched fallback
(CSFB) and launched the first LTE Smartphone (HTC Velocity 4G) for the
Austrian market.[103]
At the end of November, 2012, A1 Telekom Austria claims to reach 30% of the
Austrian population with its LTE network. At this time, according to a press
release, 800 EnodeB's were used.[106]
At the beginning of July, 2013, A1 Telekom Austria announced that the company
has switched on their 1000th eNodeB.[107]
At the beginning of September, 2013, Bregenz, Dornbirn and Lustenau are
covered by A1 Telekom Austria LTE.[108]
On 7 October 2013, T-Mobile Austria started LTE service for Smartphones. The
company also announced plans for further LTE coverage. Until the end of 2013
parts of the city Bregenz, Klagenfurt, Salzburg and St. Pölten will be covered
with LTE.[109]
On October 21, 2013, the multiband spectrum auction was completed. The
following figure shows the current allocation for this frequency band: [110]

E- Type A1
Frequenc T-Mobile Hutchison
UTRA Bandwidth of Telekom
y Austria 3
Band LTE Austria

800 MHz XX (20) 2×30 MHz FDD 2x20 MHz 2x10 MHz -

900 MHz VIII (8) 2×35 MHz FDD 2x15 MHz 2x15 MHz 2x5 MHz

1800 MHz III (3) 2×75 MHz FDD 2x35 MHz 2x20 MHz 2x20 MHz

At the end of November, 2013, Huchtison 3 and T-Mobile Austria intent to

appeal auction results.[111][112]
On 4 December 2013, according to A1 Telekom Austria Klosterneuburg is
covered with LTE.[113]
International LTE Roaming: 19. December, 2013, A1 Telekom Austria is the
first Austrian operator which introduced LTE Roaming. The company signed a
roaming agreement with Swisscom following by further countries (planned:
Brazil, Canada, Croatia, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, New Zealand,
 26

Romania, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, United Kingdom, United
States) in 2014. If Customers of A1 Telekom Austria want use LTE abroad they
need either a LTE package or one of their new A1 Go! contract plans, launched
in December 2013.[114]
On 28 January 2014, A1 announced commercial service for LTE 800 MHz on
more than 200 sites. Austrians largest mobile operator covers currently 45% of
the population with LTE. The company plans to cover more than 50% of the
population until the end of 2014. [115][116]
On 11 March 2014, T-Mobile announced top LTE transmission speed raises to
150 Mbit/s.[117]
On 6 May 2014, Austrian Media announced that Hutchison 3 is waiting for
approval to refarm 1800 MHz frequency to go further with LTE deployment.[118]
On 11 June 2014, A1 added LTE Roaming in Slovenia (Si.mobil). [119]
Belgium[edit]
On 28 June 2011, Belgium's largest telecom operator Belgacom announced the
roll out of the country's first 4G network. [120]On 3 July 2012 it confirmed the outroll
in 5 major cities and announced the commercial launch to take place before the
end of 2012.[121]
France[edit]
On 22 November 2012, Orange launched the first 4G business plan
in Marseille, Lyon, Lille and Nantes. Then, on 29 November 2012, SFR launched
4G in Lyon, extending to Montpellier. It was the first 4G commercial launch
in France.
Germany[edit]
After the multiband spectrum auction (12.04. - 20.05.2010 [122]) the frequency
allocation in Germany is as follows:

Typ
E-
Frequenc Bandwidt e of Vodafon Telefónic E-Plus
UTRA Telekom
y h LT e a O2 Gruppe
Band
E

2×30 MH FD 2x10 M 2x10 M 2x10

800 MHz XX (20) -
z D Hz Hz MHz

1800 MH 2×25 MH FD 2x15 M 2x10 MH

III (3) - -
z z D Hz z
 27

2×70 MH FD 2x20 M 2x20 MH 2x10 MH

VII (7) 2x20 M
2600 MH z D Hz z z
XXXVI Hz
z 1×50 MH TD 1x25 1x10 MH 1x10 MH
II (38) 1x5 MHz
z D MHz z z

30 August 2010, Deutsche Telekom trialed LTE by using the 800 MHz

frequency.[123]
1 December 2010, Vodafone started LTE by using 800 MHz frequency.[124]
5 April 2011, Deutsche Telekom launched LTE service on 800 MHz.[125]
1 June 2011, Deutsche Telekom started LTE service on 1800 MHz in Cologne.
[125]

1 July 2011, o2 offers LTE on 800 MHz which is available in several rural

communities, including Oberreichenbach in theBlack Forest or Zscherben in
Saxony-Anhalt.[126]
24 April 2012, Deutsche Telekom announced LTE
for Bonn, Hamburg, Leipzig and Munich.[127]
3 July 2012, Deutsche Telekom announced LTE service for the following cities
in Baden-Württemberg: Freiburg, Friedrichshafen, Heidelberg, Heilbronn,
Karlsruhe, Mannheim, Pforzheim. Berlin. Bremen. Hesse: Darmstadt, Hanau,
Ludwigshafen. Lower Saxony: Braunschweig, Celle, Hildesheim,
Oldenburg. North Rhine-Westphalia: Gütersloh, Paderborn, Velbert. Rhineland-
Palatinate: Kaiserslautern, Mainz. Saxony: Halle (Saale). Schleswig-Holstein:
Neumünster. Thuringia: Erfurt and Gera.[128]
7 February 2013, o2 claimed to do the world's first handovers of voice calls from
LTE to UMTS under realistic conditions.[129]
2 July 2013, o2 added LTE service in Duisburg, Essen and Hamburg.[130]
5 September 2013, Deutsche Telekom announced LTE category 4 with
download speed of 150 Mbit/s at the IFA. LTE category 4 or LTE+, so called by
Deutsche Telekom, is available in areas which are covered by the 1800 MHz
and 2600 MHz frequency.[131]
15 November 2013, Telefónica and Vodafone have announced that they are
testing LTE-Advanced in the German cities ofMunich and Dresden.[132]
20 February 2014, Deutsche Telekom announced 580 Mbit/s data speed during
LTE-A trials in Alzey.[133]
5 March 2014, E-Plus started commercial LTE service in Berlin, Nuremberg and
Leipzig by using the 1800 MHz frequency.[134]
10 March 2014, at the CeBIT in Hannover Deutsche Telekom announced the
launch of LTE-A with 300 Mbit/s for Q3 in 2014. [135]
 28

International LTE Roaming: 22 May 2014, Vodafone added LTE Roaming

within the Vodafone Group in the following six European countries. Greece, Italy,
The Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and UK. Vodafone also plans to launch LTE
Roaming in other countries and on other networks. [136]
17 June 2014, Deutsche Telekom announced LTE Roaming for six European
countries. (Belgium (Mobistar), France (Orange), Italy (TIM), Norway (Telenor),
Poland (Orange) and Spain (Orange)) Followed by the UK. The company also
plans further agreements with other operators.[137]
19 August 2014, Deutsche Telekom announced LTE Roaming for The
Netherlands (KPN) and UK (EE).[138]
Ireland[edit]
In May 2005, Digiweb, an Irish wired and wireless broadband company,
announced that they had received a mobile communications license from the
Irish telecoms regulator ComReg. This service will be issued the mobile
code 088 in Ireland and will be used for the provision of 4G mobile
communications.[139][140] Digiweb launched a mobile broadband network using
FLASH-OFDM technology at 872 MHz.
On November 15, 2012 the Commission for Communications
Regulation (ComReg) announced the results of its multi-band spectrum auction.
[141]
 This auction awarded spectrum rights of use in the 800 MHz, 900 MHz and
1800 MHz bands in Ireland from 2013 to 2030. The winners of spectrum
were Three Ireland, Meteor, O2 Ireland and Vodafone. All of the winning bidders
in the auction have indicated that they intend to move rapidly to deploy
advanced services.[142]

E-
Typ
Frequenc UTR Bandwidt Vodafon Telefónic Meteo Hutchiso
e of
y A h e Ireland a Ireland r n3
LTE
Band

XX 2x10 2x10 2x10

800 MHz 2×30 MHz FDD -
(20) MHz MHz MHz

VIII 2x10 2x10 2x10

900 MHz 2×35 MHz FDD 2x5 MHz
(8) MHz MHz MHz

1800 MH 2x25 2x15 2x15 2x20

III (3) 2×75 MHz FDD
z MHz MHz MHz MHz
 29

Eircom launched their 4G network through Meteor and eMobile on 26

September 2013.[143]
On 14 October 2013, Vodafone started their 4G offer (mobile broadband only) in
six cities (Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway, Waterford and Kilkenny) and 23 towns
(Carlow, Tralee, Wexford, Middleton, Carrigaline, Mallow, Killarney, Enniscorthy,
Dungarvan, New Ross, Kenmare, Tullow, Kanturk, Bagnelstown, Thomastown,
Millstreet, Bunclody, Newmarket, Dunmanway, Lismore, Rosslare Harbour,
Rosslare Strand and Killorglin) across the country. [144]
On 9 December 2013, Vodafone switched on 4G for Smartphones and turned
4G service in eight additional towns (Ballincollig, Carrigtohill, Cloyne, Cobh,
Enniscorthy, Fermoy, Gorey, Kinsale) on.[145]
On 27 January 2014, Three launched their 4G network in Dublin, Cork, Galway,
Limerick, Wexford and Waterford.
Italy[edit]
Since the first half of December 2012, all of Italy's ISP have been offering or
have plans to offer 4G services in some cities:

 TIM: 2.500 cities (November 2014) and 60 cities in LTE Advanced

 Vodafone: 2.500 cities (November 2014)
 3 Italia: 280 cities (November 2014).[146]
 WIND: 300 cities (November 2014)
International LTE Roaming: From 5 May 2014 customers of TIM are able to
use 4G while roaming in Switzerland on Swisscom and from 14 May 2014 on
Orange in Spain.[147] TIM added new roaming partners in Germany (Telekom)
and Hong Kong (CSL) in June 2014.[148]
Greenland[edit]
TELE Greenland started LTE service (800 MHz - Band 20) at the beginning of
December 2013.[149]
Luxembourg[edit]
Orange and Tango launched LTE in October 2012. [150] Post Telecom (formerly
LuxGSM[151]) launched LTE in October 2013.[152] All operators are using the
1800 MHz frequency.
International LTE Roaming: On 24 June 2014 Orange announced LTE
Roaming for the following countries from July 1, 2014: Canada, China, Germany,
Greece, Italy, Romania, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, the UK and the USA.
[153]

Republic of Macedonia[edit]
T-Mobile introduced 4G in Macedonia at the beginning of December 2013. [154]
Vip launched LTE service at the beginning of July 2014. [155]
 30

Malta[edit]
4G technology was introduced in Malta by Vodafone on 9 October 2013. [156]
Netherlands[edit]
After the multiband spectrum auction in Q4-2012 KPN announced that the
deployment of 4G services would start in February 2013 and that nationwide
coverage will be available in Q1 2014. [157]
Vodafone has launched the 4G network in August 2013, [158] while T-Mobile
announced only a roll-out in Q4 of 2013. [159]Tele2 will launch their network
probably in the same time as T-Mobile, because they are using site/antenna-
sharing.
As of Q1 2014, KPN is the first network provider that has deployed a nationwide
4G network in the Netherlands. [160]Vodafone has announced it would reach
nationwide coverage in 2014. As of Q1 2015, Vodafone is claiming national
coverage. T-Mobile announced nationwide coverage by the end of 2015. Tele2,
being a lower-budget provider, will probably never reach a nationwide coverage.
Tele2 will stay a MVNO (i.e., Tele2 will buy network capacity) on the T-Mobile
network for 2G/3G Services and a MVNO on the KPN network for 2G/3G
Business Services (previously Versatel).[161]
Network operator ZUM's plans remain unknown; only a small 2.6 GHz LTE
network would be required to meet regulatory requirements. [citation needed]
After the multiband spectrum auction the frequency allocation in the Netherlands
is as follows:[162]

Typ
E-
Frequen Bandwid e of Vodafon Tele ZU
UTRA KPN T-Mobile
cy th LT e 2 M
Band
E

2x1
800 MH XX 2x30 FD 2x10 2x10 0
z (20) MHz D MHz MHz MH
z

900 MH VIII 2x35 FD 2x10 2x10 2x15

z (8) MHz D MHz MHz MHz

1800 M 2x70 FD 2x20 2x20 2x30

III (3)
Hz MHz D MHz MHz MHz
 31

1900 M XXXII 1x35 TD 1x5.4 M 1x24.6 M

1x5 MHz
Hz I (33) MHz D Hz Hz

2100 M 2x59,4 M FD 2x19.8 M 2x19.6 M 2x20

I (1)
Hz Hz D Hz Hz MHz

2x2
0 2x2
2x65 FD 2×10 MH
VII (7) 2x10 2x5 MHz MH 0
2600 M MHz D z
XXXV MHz 1x25 z MH
Hz 2x65 TD 1×30 MH
III (38) - MHz 1x5 z
MHz D z
MH -
z

International LTE Roaming: On 16 February 2014 KPN announced LTE

Roaming agreement with Orange in France andTelenor in Norway. Following by
operators in the US, the UK, Russia, Japan, Spain, Austria, Switzerland, Poland
and Saudi Arabia later this month. Brazil and China are scheduled to be included
in March, Germany, Hong Kong, Croatia and Slovenia will be added in April, and
Denmark, Canada and Finland will be included in June. [163][164]
Norway[edit]
After the multiband spectrum auction in December 2013. [165]

Frequenc E-UTRA Type of Telco

Bandwidth Telenor TeliaSonera
y Band LTE Data

2x10 2x10
800 MHz XX (20) 2×30 MHz FDD 2x10 MHz
MHz MHz

2x5
900 MHz VIII (8) 2×? MHz FDD 2x5 MHz 2x5 MHz
MHz

2x20 2x10
1800 MHz III (3) 2×? MHz FDD 2x10 MHz
MHz MHz

In April, 2014, Netcom launched LTE 800 MHz.[166]

In May, 2014, Tele2 launched LTE.[167]
 32

Poland[edit]
On 31 August 2011, Plus (Polkomtel) launched 4G commercially in Poland. The
download speed was up to 100 Mbit/s, while upload speed was up to 50 Mbit/s.
On 25 October 2012, download speed was increased to 150 Mbit/s. It uses
1800 MHz spectrum belonging to CenterNet and Mobyland. [citation needed]
In Poland, the construction of LTE networks cooperate:

 Plus (Polkomtel) - CenterNet, Mobyland, Aero 2, Sferia

 NetWorkS! - T-Mobile, Orange
 P4 (PlayMobile)
The following figure shows the current allocation for this frequency band: [168]

Ty
E- pe
Plus T- P4 Ae
Frequ UTR Band of Ora Cente Moby Sfe
(Polko Mo (Pl ro
ency A width L nge rNet land ria
mtel) bile ay) 2
Band T
E

2x5
800 M XX 2x30M
M
Hz (20) Hz
Hz

2 x 2 x
2x1 2x1 9,8 9,8
1800  III 0 5 MHz MHz
MHz (3) MH M 1 x 1 x
z Hz 200 200
kHz kHz

5M
2100 
Hz
MHz
test

1x
XXX T
2600  50
VIII D
MHz M
(38) D
Hz
 33

Spectrum auction LTE800 5x (2x5MHz) and LTE 2600 14x (2x5MHz).

[169]
 Participate in the auction: Polkomtel, Orange, T-Mobile, P4, Emitel and
NetNet.
Portugal[edit]
All 3 mobile phone operators in Portugal (MEO, Vodafone and NOS) offer 4G
internet services:

Frequenc E-UTRA Type of

Bandwidth MEO Vodafone NOS
y Band LTE

2x10 2x10 2x10

800 MHz XX (20) 2×30 MHz FDD
MHz MHz MHz

2x10 2x10 2x10

1800 MHz III (3) 2×30 MHz FDD
MHz MHz MHz

VII (7)
2x20 2x20 2x20
2600 MHz XXXVIII 2×60 MHz FDD
MHz MHz MHz
(38)

Romania[edit]
On 31 October 2012, Vodafone has launched 4G tests.[170] Now 4G connectivity
is available in several
cities: Otopeni,Constanța, Galați, Craiova, Brașov, Bacău, Iași, Cluj-Napoca, Ara
d and Timișoara.[171]
International LTE Roaming: Since mid-May 2014 Orange offers LTE Roaming
service which is currently available in the networks of Orange in Moldova,
Poland and Spain and will also be extended to other networks during 2014. [172]
Russian Federation[edit]
Yota launched LTE service in March 2012.[173]
MegaFon launched LTE service in April 2012. [173]
MTS launched LTE service in September 2012.[174]
Vainakh Telecom launched LTE service in January 2013. [175] Network available
in Chechnya.
Beeline launched LTE service in May 2013.[176]
Rostelecom launched LTE service in June 2013.[177]
Scandinavia[edit]
 34

TeliaSonera started deploying LTE (branded "4G") in Stockholm and Oslo

November 2009 (as seen above), and in several Swedish, Norwegian, and
Finnish cities during 2010. In June 2010, Swedish television companies used 4G
to broadcast live television from the Swedish Crown Princess’s wedding.[178]
Slovakia[edit]
After the multiband spectrum auction [179] the frequency allocation in Slovakia is
as follows:

E- Typ Slovak Telefónic

Frequenc SWA
UTRA Bandwidth e of Orange Teleko a
y N
Band LTE m Slovakia

2x10 2x10 2x10

800 MHz XX (20) 2×30 MHz FDD -
MHz MHz MHz

1800 MH 2×20.4 MH 2x4.8 MH 2x0.6 MH 2x15

III (3) FDD -
z z z z MHz

2x40
VII (7) FDD 2x30
2600 MH 2×70 MHz MHz - -
XXXVII TD MHz
z 1×50 MHz 1x50 - -
I (38) D -
MHz

Slovenia[edit]
After the multiband spectrum auction in April 2014. [180]

Frequenc E-UTRA Type Telekom

Bandwidth Si.Mobil Tusmobil
y Band of LTE Slovenije

2x10 2x10
800 MHz XX (20) 2×30 MHz FDD 2x10 MHz
MHz MHz

2x15
900 MHz VIII (8) 2×35 MHz FDD 2x15 MHz 2x5 MHz
MHz

1800 MHz III (3) 2×75 MHz FDD 2x30 2x25 MHz 2x10

 35

MHz MHz

XXXIV 2x20
2100 MHz 1×? MHz TDD - -
(34) MHz

2x35
VII (7)
2×70 MHz FDD MHz 2x35 MHz -
2600 MHz XXXVIII
1×50 MHz TDD 1x25 1x25 MHz -
(38)
MHz

Spain[edit]
On May 9, 2013, Yoigo announced its service, which will use the 1800 MHz
band and offer speeds up to 100Mbit/s, and will first be launched in Madrid on
July 19.[181]
On May 13, Orange Espana announced it will launch its 4G network on 8 July,
simultaneously in six of the country's largest cities: Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia,
Seville, Malaga and Murcia. A further nine cities — Bilbao, Zaragoza, Alicante,
Cordoba, A Coruña, Valladolid and Vigo on the mainland, Palma de Mallorca in
the Balearic Islands and Las Palmas in the Canary Islands — will be live by the
end of 2013.[182]
Since 30 May 2013, 4G is available in Spain thanks to Vodafone 4G. According
to the company, services will use 1800 MHz and 2600 MHz spectrum and will
offer download speeds of up to 150Mbit/s and upload speeds of 50Mbit/s. [183]
On week 9, 2014, during the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona Vodafone
tested LTE-A with speed of 540 Mbit/s.[184]
On 7 March 2014, Vodafone announced LTE service for Burgos.[185]
On 11 March 2012, Vodafone announced LTE service for Castilla La Mancha.[186]
On 12 March 2014, Vodafone announced LTE service for Logroño.[187][188]
After the multiband spectrum auction in July 2011.[189]

E- Typ
Frequenc UTR Bandwidt e of Vodafon
Movistar Orange Yoigo
y A h LT e
Band E

800 MHz XX 2×60 MHz FD - 2×5 MHz - -

 36

(20) D

2×10 MH
1800 MH 2×74.8 M FD 2×20 MH 2×20 MH 2×20 MH z
III (3)
z Hz D z z z 2×4.8 MH
z

2600 MH VII FD 2×20 MH 2×20 MH 2×20 MH

2×70 MHz -
z (7) D z z z

Switzerland[edit]
In September 2010, Swisscom tested LTE in Grenchen by using the 2.6 GHz
frequency (E-UTRA Band 7).[190] In December 2011 after the LTE field
experiment in Grenchen has become a success the company used the 1.8 GHz
frequency (E-UTRA Band 3) for further testing
in Grindelwald, Gstaad, Leukerbad, Montana, Saas-Fee and St. Moritz/Celerina.
[191]

After the multiband spectrum auction (06.02. - 22.02.2012 [192]) the frequency
allocation in Switzerland is as follows:

E-UTRA Type of
Frequency Bandwidth Swisscom Sunrise Orange
Band LTE

2x10 2x10 2x10

800 MHz XX (20) 2×30 MHz FDD
MHz MHz MHz

2x15 2x15 2x5

900 MHz VIII (8) 2×35 MHz FDD
MHz MHz MHz

2x30 2x20 2x25

1800 MHz III (3) 2×75 MHz FDD
MHz MHz MHz

2x30 2x10 2x20

2100 MHz I (1) 2×60 MHz FDD
MHz MHz MHz
 37

2x20
VII (7) 2x25 2x20
2×70 MHz FDD MHz
2600 MHz XXXVIII MHz MHz
1×50 MHz TDD 1x45
(38) - -
MHz

Swisscom announced on 29 November 2012, commercial service of its category

3 LTE network with maximum speed of 100 Mbit/s.[193] The following frequency
range is in service for LTE. 800 MHz, 1800 MHz and 2600 MHz. (E-UTRA
Bands 20, 3 und 7) In May 2013 Swisscom upgraded its LTE network from
category 3 to category 4. As of the upgrade the maximum speed has become
150 Mbit/s.[194]
Orange started LTE on 28 May 2013. The second largest operator was the first
who introduced prepaid LTE in Switzerland. The following frequency range is in
service for LTE. 800 MHz, 1800 MHz and 2600 MHz. (E-UTRA Bands 20, 3 und
7) Orange LTE offers up to 100 Mbit/s. The company will upgrade the maximum
speed up to 150 Mbit/s at the end of 2013.[195]
International LTE Roaming: Swisscom is the first European operator which
offers international LTE Roaming. Since the 21 of June 2013 customers of
Swisscom are able to use LTE network of the South Korean operators SK
Telecom and KT. According to Swisscom Canada (Rogers) and Hong Kong
(SmarTone) are the next countries where customers of the former state-owned
company will be able to use LTE roaming.[196]
Sunrise was the last operator in Switzerland who introduced LTE. Commercial
service is available as of 19 June 2013. The smallest operator
in Switzerland offers speed up to 100 Mbit/s. In 2013 Sunrise is using only the
1800 MHz frequency for LTE service. (E-UTRA Band 3) The operator will use
other frequency bands (800 MHz and 2600 MHz - E-UTRA Bands 7 and 20) in
the future as well.[197] Prepaid customers of Sunrise are able to use LTE with
maximum network speed - even MVNOcustomer.[198]
Since the beginning of July 2013 Swisscom prepaid customers are able to enter
the LTE network. Maximum speed depends on the subscribed plan. [194]
On 19 November 2013, Orange and UPC Cablecom announced a new
partnership. Over the next two years, UPC Cablecom will connect more than
1,000 4G masts with top bandwidths of between 1 and 10 Gbit/s.[199][200]
At the end of November 2013, Swisscom added new LTE Roaming partners in
Asia (Japan: Softbank, Philippines: Globe Telecom, Singapore: M1), Europe
(France: Bouygues Telecom) and the Middle East (Saudi Arabia: Mobily).[201][202]
On 19 December 2013, Swisscom added new LTE Roaming partners in Asia
(Hong Kong: China Mobile HK and PCCW) and Europe (Austria: A1). At this
time Swisscom covers nine countries and twelve foreign LTE networks. [202][203]
 38

On 22 January 2014, Swisscom added new LTE Roaming partner in Russia

(MegaFon).[202][204]
On 29 January 2014, Sunrise announced 300 Mbit/s LTE trials by using LTE-A
carrier aggregation. Commercial service is planned for Q3 2014.[205]
On 17 Februar 2014, Swisscom added new roaming partners (Canada: Telus,
France: SFR, Hong Kong: Huchison 3, Norway: Telenor, USA: AT&T) to their
LTE roaming list. The company also mentioned an upcoming Russia operator
(MTS) for 3. March 2014.[202]
On 10 June 2014, Swisscom added for the upcoming World Cup in Brazil new
roaming partners among other countries (Belgium: Belgacom;
Brazil: Claro Oi, Vivo; France: Orange; Italy: TIM; Spain: Orange). Further more
Swisscom also announced more LTE Roaming in Germany, Great Britain,
Greece, Netherland, Portugal and Romania.[202][206]
On 16 June 2014, Swisscom commercially launched 300 Mbit/s LTE by
using LTE-A carrier aggregation.[207]
On 8 October 2014, Swisscom demonstrated 450 Mbit/s LTE by using LTE-A
carrier aggregation.[208]
United Kingdom[edit]
In 2009 O2 (a subsidiary of Telefónica Europe) used Slough for testing the 4G
network, with Huawei installing LTE technology in six masts across the town to
allow testing of HD video conferencing and mobile PlayStation games. [209] On 29
February 2012, UK Broadband launched the first commercial 4G LTE service in
the UK in the London Borough ofSouthwark.[210] In October 2012, MVNO, Abica
Limited, announced they were to trial 4G LTE services for high
speed M2Mapplications.
On 21 August 2012, the United Kingdom's regulator Ofcom allowed EE, the
owner of the Orange and T-Mobile networks, to use its existing spectrum in the
1,800 MHz band to launch fourth-generation (4G) mobile services. As part of
Ofcom's approval of the company's roll-out of 4G it was announced on 22
August that 3 had acquired part of EE's 1,800 MHz spectrum for part of their own
4G network.[211] The 4G service from EE was announced on 11 September 2012
and launched on 30 October initially in 11 cities. [212][213] The network aims to cover
70% of the UK by 2013 and 98% by 2014.[214]
On 12 November 2012 Ofcom published final regulations and a timetable [215] for
the 4G mobile spectrum auction. It also launched a new 4G consumer page,
[216]
 providing information on the upcoming auction and the consumer benefits
that new services will deliver. Ofcom auctioned off the UK-wide 4G spectrum
previously used by the country's analogue television signals in the 800 MHz
band as well as in the 2,600 MHz band.[217] On 20 February 2013, the winners of
the 4G spectrum auction were announced by Ofcom. [218] The four major
networks, EE, O2, Vodafone and 3, were awarded spectrum along with Niche
Spectrum Ventures Ltd (a subsidiary of BT Group plc).
 39

On 9 July 2013, Ofcom announced that mobile network operators would be

allowed to repurpose their existing 2G and 3G spectrum, specifically in the 900,
1,800 and 2,100 MHz bands, for 4G services.[219]
Both O2 and Vodafone launched their 4G networks on 29 August 2013. [220]
[221]
 The 3 network launched their 4G service in December 2013, initially it was
only available to a selected few thousand customers in London preceding a
nationwide rollout in 2014.[222][223]
LTE MVNE: On 1 April 2014, Plintron World's largest Multi-
Country MVNE Enables Lycamobile to be in the 4G League in UK. Plintron has
completed its LTE core interoperability with O2 UK, to enable 4G data services.
International LTE Roaming: AT&T signed LTE roaming agreement with EE on
17 December 2013.[224] EE announced further LTE roaming agreements
with Orange in France and Spain on March 2014. Customers of EE will access
the LTE networks of both operators immediately. The company also announced
in a press release that it will extend its 4G coverage across major roaming
destination including the USA, Italy, Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands
by the Summer.[225][226]
At the beginning of May 2014, Vodafone added 4G roaming for their Red
4G customers in Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain. [227]
On 12 June 2014, Vodafone announced LTE rollout for Belfast over the summer.
[228]

The Americas[edit]
Canada[edit]
Telus and Bell Canada, the major Canadian cdmaOne and EV-DO carriers, have
announced that they will be cooperating towards building a fourth generation
(4G) LTE wireless broadband network in Canada. As a transitional measure,
they are implementing 3G UMTS network that went live in November 2009.
[229]
 Bell Canada claims that its HSPA+ (3G) network, that it calls 4G, covers 97%
of the population as of December 2013.[230]
Brazil[edit]
On 27 April 2012, Brazil’s telecoms regulator Agência Nacional de
Telecomunicações (Anatel) announced that the 6 host cities for the 2013
Confederations Cup to be held there will be the first to have their networks
upgraded to 4G.[231]
Mexico[edit]
4G technology was introduced by Telcel on November 7, 2012.
[232]
 Movistar launched its 4G network on September 22, 2014 [233] and Nextel did
on October 13, 2014.[234]
United States[edit]
Verizon Wireless, AT&T, T-Mobile and Sprint Corporation all use 4G LTE. Only
Sprint still utilizes WiMAX, but plans to end its use of WiMax by 2015.[235]
 40

On September 20, 2007, Verizon Wireless announced plans for a joint effort with

the Vodafone Group to transition its networks to the 4G standard LTE. On
December 9, 2008, Verizon Wireless announced their intentions to build and roll
out an LTE network by the end of 2009. Since then, Verizon Wireless has said
that they will start their roll out by the end of 2010.
Sprint offers a 3G/4G connection plan, currently [when?] available in select cities in
the United States.[47] It delivers rates up to 10 Mbit/s. Sprint has also launched an
LTE network in early 2012.[236]
Verizon Wireless has announced[when?] that it plans to augment its CDMA2000-
based EV-DO 3G network in the United States with LTE, and is supposed to
complete a rollout of 175 cities by the end of 2011, two thirds of the US
population by mid-2012, and cover[citation needed] the existing 3G network by the end
of 2013.[237] AT&T, along with Verizon Wireless, has chosen to migrate toward
LTE from 2G/GSM and 3G/HSPA by 2011.[238]
Sprint had deployed WiMAX technology which it has labeled 4G as of October
2008. It was the first US carrier to offer a WiMAX phone. [239]
The U.S. FCC is exploring[when?] the possibility of deployment and operation of a
nationwide 4G public safety network which would allow first responders to
seamlessly communicate between agencies and across geographies, regardless
of devices. In June 2010 the FCC released a comprehensive white paper which
indicates that the 10 MHz of dedicated spectrum currently allocated from
the 1700 MHz spectrum for public safety will provide adequate capacity and
performance necessary for normal communications as well as serious
emergency situations.[240]
International LTE Roaming: AT&T signed LTE roaming agreement with EE on
December 17, 2013.[224]
Oceania[edit]
Fiji[edit]
Vodafone Fiji started category 3 LTE service (1800 MHz - Band 3) at the
beginning of December 2013.[241][242]
New Zealand[edit]
In New Zealand, the first 4G network was introduced in parts of Auckland
by Vodafone NZ on 28 February 2013 using the 1800 MHz frequency (Band 3).
Vodafone has since expanded coverage to a total of 59 centers. [243][not in citation given]
Moana, a small village by Lake Brunner on the West Coast with only 250 people,
got 4G coverage in May 2013. This was a test of rural broadband services in the
700 MHz range.[244] Vodafone went on to launch 4G in this frequency in
Papakura on July 22, 2014.
The Vodafone, Spark and 2degrees 4G networks operate on 1800 MHz (Band
3). Vodafone and Spark have also deployed 4G on 700 MHz (APT Band 28)
while 2degrees carries out a trial for this frequency in Auckland. As of 15
 41

January 2014, Spark has 4G coverage in Wellington, Christchurch, Auckland,

Whitianga and Whangamata.[citation needed]
2degrees launched their 4G (band 3) service on June 30, 2014 in parts of
Auckland,[245] then extended coverage to Wellington on September 8, 2014, then
Hamilton, Christchurch, Tauranga before Christmas, and Te Awamutu, Fielding,
Levin and Dunedin in 2015.
Australia[edit]
Main article: 4G connectivity in Australia
Telstra announced on 15 February 2011, that it intends to upgrade its current
Next G network to 4G with Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology in the central
business districts of all Australian capital cities and selected regional centers by
the end of 2011.[246]
Telstra launched the country's first 4G network (FD-LTE) in September 2011
claiming "2–100 Mbps" speeds and announced an "aggressive" expansion of
that network in 2012.[247][248]
Telstra will use a mixture of 10 MHz and 15 MHz bandwidth in the 1800 MHz
band.
Optus have established a 4G (FD-LTE) network using 10 MHz (out of 15 MHz
available) bandwidth in the 1800 MHz band and added the 2.3 GHz band for 4G
TD-LTE after acquiring Vivid Wireless in 2012. [249]
Vodafone Australia have indicated their roll out of 4G FD-LTE will use 20 MHz
bandwidth and initially support Cat 3 devices at launch, then quickly move to
support Cat 4 devices.
Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) will auction 700 MHz
"digital dividend" and 2600 MHz spectrum for the provision of 4G FD-LTE
services in April 2013. Telstra and Optus are expected to participate in both,
while Vodafone has stated it will only participate in the 2600 MHz auction.
On 19 December 2013 Optus claims to set up the world's first TD-LTE Advanced
carrier aggregation network. The company achieved a throughput of 520 Mbit/s,
by combining four 20 MHz channels of the 2300 MHz spectrum band into
80 MHz.[250][251]

Beyond 4G research[edit]
Main article: 5G
A major issue in 4G systems is to make the high bit rates available in a larger
portion of the cell, especially to users in an exposed position in between several
base stations. In current research, this issue is addressed by macro-
diversitytechniques, also known as group cooperative relay, and also by Beam-
Division Multiple Access (BDMA).[252]
Pervasive networks are an amorphous and at present entirely hypothetical
concept where the user can be simultaneously connected to several wireless
access technologies and can seamlessly move between them (See vertical
 42

handoff, IEEE 802.21). These access technologies can be Wi-Fi, UMTS, EDGE,

or any other future access technology. Included in this concept is also smart-
radio (also known as cognitive radio) technology to efficiently manage spectrum
use and transmission power as well as the use of mesh routing protocols to
create a pervasive network.