ESPOO, Finland – The next generation of mobile broadband moved a step closer today with the release of the Nokia Internet Modem RD-3, Nokia’s first LTE-capable Internet Modem. The new device is designed to be used in industry trials which will help the development of Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology. The device itself is expected to be used by network vendors, equipment manufacturers and operators. It is expected that the first LTE-capable networks will launch before the end of 2010.This from the official release:
“LTE, Long Term Evolution of UTRA/UTRAN (Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network) is the name for 3GPP-defined radio access for future wide area broadband wireless access networks. It defines the evolution of WCDMA/HSPA radio networks. LTE will be a major step towards providing rich wireless IP-based real-time multimedia services for the consumer. LTE sets the benchmark for high data rates and low response times, improving the user experience significantly compared to today’s mobile broadband technologies. Also, it can offer a true internet experience when the availability of fixed line access is limited.”
Jani Mäenpää is project manager for LTW/SAE interoperability and Trials at Nokia. He said:
“Nokia is committed to supporting industry activities aimed at maturing LTE technology to enable the first commercial networks to launch in 2010. Nokia is also a founding member in the LTE/SAE Trial Initiative (LSTI) and carries out interoperability testing with a number of network vendors, collaborates with measurement equipment manufacturers and is ready to support operators with their LTE deployment activities. The Nokia Internet Modem RD-3 is used in all these activities.”
We’re already in an always online kind of world. In fact, I tend to get a little gittery the longer I spend away from any kind of internet connection. Over the past few years mobile broadband speeds have increased dramatically, but what today’s news assures us of is that the next generation of always on wireless access is well under way in terms of development, and only around the corner in terms of release in some parts of the world. That’s pretty cool in my book. What do you think?