Australian operator Telstra announced a strategic relationship with Ericsson to launch Long Term Evolution (LTE) in Australia. Ericsson will deploy all 4G/LTE radio sites with its new multi-standard radio base station, RBS 6000, and upgrade and expand Telstra’s existing packet core network into an EPC network, supporting the new LTE radio network. Services included in the contract are network roll out, design, integration and learning services.

“Telstra is proud to again be a technology leader, providing Australians with leading-edge mobile broadband services on the world’s largest national mobile network,”said Telstra’s Chief Executive Officer David Thodey. “The new network will provide Australians with faster data speeds, high-quality video conferencing and faster response times when using mobile applications or accessing the internet. It will also help Telstra meet future demand for mobile data, which is doubling every year as customers move to adopt data-hungry smartphones, mobile modems and tablets.” He added.

Ericsson President and CEO Hans Vestberg said: “Ericsson and Telstra have a long history of innovative network partnerships and we are proud to bring the next generation of mobile broadband to Australia. Telstra’s Next G network is globally recognized as an advanced, world-class service and our LTE/EPC network will enable Telstra to continue to deliver a superior end-user experience for both existing and future Next G subscribers."

The company would upgrade its existing Next G network with 4G/LTE technology in the central business districts of all Australian capital cities and selected regional centres and will offer its customers LTE mobile broadband devices that operate seamlessly across the 850MHz and 1800MHz spectrum ranges, giving customers the benefits of 4G where it is available by the end of 2011.