In Madrid last week, Telefónica gave a demonstration of how real services work on a fourth generation mobile network using long term evolution (LTE) technology. This is the first time that an LTE prototype network has been connected to the real network (3G and 2G), an indication that applications could be just around the corner.
This first demo included a VOIP call and a video call using the LTE mini-network installed at the HQ for this purpose by Ericsson, a video conference and data & image download with speeds well over 140Mbps: ten times faster than the current speed offered by the 3G network over HSPA technology.
Telefónica is one of the largest telecommunications companies in the world in terms of market capitalisation. Its activities are centred mainly on the fixed and mobile telephony businesses with broadband as the key tool for the development of both.