4G LTE network in
Sweden tested using Samsung LTE device on TELIA network
Samir 9 Feb 2010
LTE
TeliaSonera launched its 4G/LTE mobile broadband service in
mid-December of 2009. As of January 2010, modems manufactured by Samsung have
been available from Telia to access this new network.
Though the network coverage right now is confined to several pockets in and
around central Stockholm (Sweden) and Oslo (Norway), the characteristics of 4G/LTE
are already sticking out in terms of what it is capable of delivering; a low
latency, high bandwidth service with the potential of replacing our use of
fixed-copper broadband.
Established on a 10MHz frequency allocation within the 2600MHz range (allotted
by the EU and local ministry of telecom), the service was launched in Sweden as
a 50Mbps service, whereas in Norway it uses twice as much frequency (20MHz) to
deliver a 100Mbps service. The network infrastructures operated by TeliaSonera
and Netcom are delivered by Ericsson. Huawei was a bidding supplier, but was not
selected. The further build-out of this 4G coverage will occur during the course
of year to include all the largest cities in Sweden by Q3 of this year.
The current pricing is based on that as of right now, with limited coverage,
there is a bit of a hefty discount in the picture:
First six months cost 4 SEK/month ($0.53 USD)
Second six months cost 599 SEK/month ($82 USD)
As the modem is single-mode (4G/LTE-only), you also get an extra 3/HSPA+ modem
(14Mbps Option ICON 505)
Both modems include a SIM card (each) and can be swapped back once Telia
releases a dual-mode modem (3G/4G) in the coming quarter (or two).
What must be said beyond a very healthy boost in bandwidth for the average home
user, is that the latency of 15-25ms is recorded during the course of each
connection, and holds very steady if signal is good enough for a connection. As
this is a 2600MHz radio technology, the limitations are that the cell sizes are
comparatively smaller than on a 3G network, operating on the 2100MHz range. As
such, most often if you are on the edge of the cell coverage, the signal will
not penetrate the surfaces of the building and windows, however will work almost
extremely well if you put it outside the window or on the balcony. Its a
night-to-day difference in terms of signal and throughput by just doing that.
Typical speeds are measured anywhere between 16Mbps on the low and 34Mbps on
the high (though in-store recorded 45Mbps when we tried, but there
was a base station very nearby). The uplink speed is almost always at
4.75Mbps or so, but the most impressive thing is for sure the low latency of
around 20ms. It is low enough for IP Telephony, video conferencing and
most of all; online gaming.
Further details (albeit in Swedish) are available on www.telia.se/4g, with a
coverage map (make sure to drag up and down with the mouse) on
http://www.telia4g.se/om-4g
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