4G small cells part of plan to cover 99% of the country by June 2017
Australian operator Telstra announced deployment of 135 small cells to provide 4G coverage to customers in more than 130 rural and regional communities across the country.
This deployment is part of Telstra’s 165 million Australian dollar ($123.3 million) commitment to regional Australia and the federal government’s Mobile Black Spot Program. Mike Wright, Telstra Group’s managing director, said the rollout of small cells technology will allow the company to expand its 4G coverage to 99% of the Australian population by June 2017.
“As the carrier with the nation’s largest mobile footprint and the first to bring 4G mobile services to regional Australia, we know how important high-speed mobile can be to supporting local communities and businesses and we are excited to add another first to the list by delivering this innovative small cell technology to our nation’s regions,” Wright said.
“The introduction of fast 4G data services via small cell[s] in these locations will mean residents will be able to access social media and video on the go for the first time as well as increased opportunities for local businesses,” he added.
Wright also said the deployment will allow the future launch of Voice over LTE.
Telstra said that 429 communities across Australia have benefited from 3G and 4G coverage rolled out under the Mobile Black Spot Program.
China Telecom to offer LTE through 800 MHz band
In other APAC news, China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has approved plans for China Telecom to begin offering 4G LTE services through the 800 MHz spectrum band, Chinese news service C114 reports.
The Ministry also has authorized a request from local operator China Unicom to carry out tests of frequency division duplex LTE in the 900 MHz band. China Unicom said it aims to carry out the test in 14 provinces, including Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Anhui.
