ZTE and Hi3G claim to be the first to launch a commercial FDD/TDD dual-mode LTE network, with the opening of services in three Swedish cities.
The network is live in Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmo, and will be extended to other parts of Sweden in the coming months. ZTE claims the network allows Hi3G to cut the price and extend the number of data services it offers to subscribers.
ZTE vice president Wang Shouchen says a key benefit of the network is the ability to roam onto other global LTE networks. “It is not only the high speed wireless services that new technology brings, for Hi3G this is also an opportunity to evolve the network.”
The network runs on a range of new energy-saving base stations, which ZTE states will cut Hi3G’s operating costs. The new infrastructure will also handle the carrier’s 3G traffic, a factor chief Peder Ramel said was a key factor in picking ZTE when plans were first announced in March.