Monaco Telecom (MT), a Cable & Wireless Communications business in Monaco, has begun a trial of Long Term Evolution (LTE) mobile technology.
The 4G network is able to deliver much faster data download speeds (up to 100 megabits per second) which are necessary as an increasing number of mobile and computer tablet users access multimedia services such as video and online gaming.
The 4G network will be available across the Principality for a group of test customers, supporting the growing use of internet and applications on mobile handsets within the Principality.
If the trial in Monaco is a success a commercial launch is planned before the end of 2013.
Martin Péronnet, CEO of Monaco Telecom, said: “In Monaco 70% of mobile handsets sold are smartphones and in December 2010, one third of the contracts signed were for tablet computers and 3G dongles. This illustrates the growing demand for mobile data, which we are keen to support by investing in 4G.”
MT is carrying out the trial with Ericsson.