Swisscom unveils LTE trial networks for ski resorts

Swisscom, Switzerland's largest telco, will launch LTE trial networks in seven tourist locations.

The company, which has selected Davos as the first trial site, said any decision to launch commercial LTE services will need to wait until next spring when the Swiss government should have announced spectrum auction rules.

These initial LTE trials, which could continue until mid-2012, according to Telegeography, will go live over the next two months in the ski resorts of Davos, Grindelwald, Gstaad, Leukerbad, Montana, Saas Fee and St. Moritz/Celerina. Swisscom said the trial networks, which can be accessed using a laptop and USB modem, aims to better understand how it can ensure a good user experience.

Starting in January 2012 some Swisscom shops will also be offering trials of the service.

While these seven trials will take place in busy areas, the telco hopes to collect adequate information and experience to help plan the deployment of LTE services across Switzerland. Swisscom said bundles and promotional offers for customers using the network are currently being developed.

For more:
- see this Telegeography article
- see this Mobile Europe article

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