After about a year of internal long-term evolution (LTE) tests, Telkom's mobile arm, 8ta, is ready to offer the fourth-generation (4G) technology to selected members of the public - for free and on a limited-period trial basis.
8ta announced yesterday that it had "reached a critical milestone" in its plans to deliver the next generation of mobile technology to South Africans. "[8ta extends] an invitation to qualifying customers to partake in a free LTE trial."
Customers within 8ta's LTE coverage areas in Gauteng will be able to apply to participate in the five-month trial, from 1 November until the end of March next year.
The trial will include a free 50GB data bundle, including an LTE-enabled device that includes routers and mobile data modems and a SIM card. The LTE-enabled router will be able to serve up to 32 WiFi-enabled devices simultaneously and covers up to 15m indoors. The mobile data modem is meant for individual users via USB interface on laptops and desktop computers.
Amith Maharaj, senior managing executive for Telkom Mobile, says - as of midday on 10 October - customers can check 8ta's Web site to confirm whether there is LTE coverage in their area and then request to participate in the trial.
Maharaj says the mobile operator is excited about the milestone it has reached. "We believe this trial is a critical step in taking a new technology like this to market. The demand for faster, superior mobile data services is mounting and subscribers will have the opportunity to test the fastest data speeds ever experienced in SA."
He says Telkom engineers have tested the 4G technology, and have achieved peak speeds of up to 90Mbps for downloads and up to 25Mbps for uploads, using the appropriate end-user device.
The trial is a bid for Telkom to better understand the requirements of customers, says Maharaj. He says, ultimately, feedback from participants will inform the company's commercial offerings.
LTE pursuit
LTE, commonly referred to as "4G", allows download speeds of more than double those of current 3G technologies like High-Speed Package Access (HSPA) and Evolved HSPA (HSPA+). It also enables better reception in urban areas and coverage of previously hard-to-reach, remote areas.
SA's top three mobile operators have been trialling LTE, with Vodacom and MTN both tabling the technology for rollout within the next three months. Vodacom says its network will be 100% LTE-ready within the next year, while deployment of LTE is imminent - with Johannesburg, Pretoria and Durban being the first cities on the cards to benefit.
Likewise, MTN - which started trialling LTE technology last year - has said it is on track to switch on a commercial LTE network by year-end in the three urban areas. Both operators are re-farming some of their spectrum in the 1 800MHz band for LTE rollout, as the government has yet to grant mobile operators spectrum for LTE.
SA's second fixed-line operator, Neotel, has also been trialling the technology - since March. Neotel CEO Sunil Joshi says the trials - which are taking place at the company's Midrand campus - are ongoing. Joshi says he cannot provide further details on Neotel's LTE plans at this stage.
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