Telstra’s Hong Kong mobile network subsidiary CSL has launched an LTE network that can also operate via 3G HSPA technology.
Telstra’s Hong Kong mobile network subsidiary CSL has launched an LTE network that can also operate via 3G HSPA technology.
The network already covers 50 percent of Hong Kong’s 6.9 million population, CSL CEO Joseph O’Konek told a media briefing.
CSL has been pushing to offer 4G services in Hong Kong ahead of rivals including billionaire Li Ka-shing’s Hutchison Telecommunications Hong Kong. With just under 3 million subscribers, Hutch is the city’s biggest carrier. CSL has around 2.6 million, according to Telstra figures.
The new CSL service uses technology supplied by ZTE, China’s second-biggest maker of phone-equipment after Huawei. Besides LTE, it offers another technology called DC-HSPA+ (dual-channel high-speed packet access), which takes over in spots where LTE is not available.
DC-HSPA+ sends or receives wireless data using two channels simultaneously at theoretical speeds of up to 42Mbps.
Also dabbling its toes into the LTE waters is Kerry Stokes’ WiMax network operator Vividwireless, which says it’s hooking up with China’s Huawei on a trial of TD-LTE in Australia. (Huawei also provides Vivid’s WiMax gear).
It claims peak speeds of up to 100Mbps. Vivid says the trial will check the market readiness of TD-LTE, including the technology’s capacity, coverage and “real world” performance.
Telstra and Ericsson recently announced a trial that linked Melbourne and Sydney with LTE, though no speeds were mentioned.
VHA and Optus have also been conducting trials. Widespread use of LTE is generally believed to have to wait until 2013 when spectrum freed up by the end of analog TV may be made available.
