BT Collaborates with Everything Everywhere For 4G LTE Tryout in UK

BT is planning to start a new 4G trial and has joined hands with mobile carrier company Everything Everywhere. The trial will see if wireless broadband is more efficient and economically viable than the wired one. The program is likely to use radio spectrum earlier used by analogue TV transmitters. These transmitters were shut off in July 2009, freeing up the spectrum.

The trial will involve 200 residents of Newquay, St. Newlyn and is likely to start in the month of September this year. It will make use of either home routers or USB modems. The companies als said that the trial will cover area of 25 square kilometers and will cover "approximately 700 premises which have no or limited access to broadband services today." The team is now looking for about 200 volunteers for the test.

The trial is a timely step in the direction of fulfilling one of the aims enumerated in "Digital Britain" report. The report had urged to ensure a minimum download speed of 2Mbps for every home in the UK. The three months long trial will use Long Term Evolution or LTE technology for deploying 4G services. The trial will involve both fixed line as well as mobile users. It will be the first time that wireless connection will be used for both mobile and fixed signals. BT said that with this new program they are "targeting the ‘notspots’ and the ‘not-a-lot-spots.”

A wide range of frequencies is likely to be lent by Ofcom  and the kits would be provided by Nokia and Huawei.