4G Technology To Help Operators Up Mobile Data Traffic, Cut Costs

"Nokia estimates a 300-fold increase of mobile data traffic at an international level until 2015. In Romania, according to the data offered by traffic.ro, the number of visitors increased from 40 million in 2007, to 71 million in November 2009. In this context, introducing a 4G technology, namely the Long Term Evolution (LTE), will no longer be a dream, but a necessity," Chivu told a news conference.

Chivu said the LTE technology will allow operators to deal with an increasing number of requests for widening broadband and increasing mobile data traffic speed.

"The LTE technology offers operators higher efficiency and, therefore, smaller prices and more benefits for consumers. If operators continue to invest in developing the 2G and 3G networks, which require more funds than the LTE technology, their operational costs will not be covered by revenues, in the context in which consumers are more and more fastidious and demand more services at same or even smaller prices," Chivu said.

The Long Term Evolution is a last generation wireless communications technology, capable to ensure internet connecting speed of over 170 Mbps, ten times more than in the 3G networks.

In Europe, the LTE technology is tested by mobile operators in Finland, Germany, Norway, Spain and Great Britain and is about to appear on the market in Sweden and Norway in the first half of 2010.

Chivu said Nokia Siemens Networks is interested in unfolding tests with LTE equipments in Romania, and will ask the National Communications Authority (ANCOM) to insure a 2.6 GHz frequency band.

"Our equipments can also function in 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1.800 MHz and 2.100 MHz bands. Soon, we will present Orange, Vodofone, Cosmote and RCS&RDS representatives with our equipments destined for the LTE technology," Chivu said.

Chivu added the introduction of the 4G technology will lead to the emergence of a new telecom operator on the Romanian market, adding the LTE technology might be commercially used by a local operator in 2011.

"ANCOM president said recently two licenses will operate in the 2.6 GHz frequency spectrum that belongs to the defense Ministry at the moment," Chivu said.

Nokia Siemens Networks, a joint venture between Finnish company Nokia and German company Siemens, has 64,000 employees and operates in 150 states.

In Romania, Nokia Siemens Networks' turnover reached 49.3 million lei in 2008, according to data offered by the Finance Ministry.

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