Cable & Wireless (C&W) will launch Long Term Evolution (LTE) mobile data services in the Cayman Islands, where it trades as LIME. C&W will launch LTE services in the 2013/14 financial year initially on the isle of Grand Cayman.
The upgrade is the latest part of a programme of network upgrades across C&W’s pan-America business, providing customers with better access to mobile data. Mobile data usage is the fastest growing service across Cable & Wireless Communications’ (CWC) businesses, with Group mobile data revenue increasing by 34% in the 2012/13 year, a release from CWC said.
LTE is a ‘fourth generation’ (4G) mobile service which will enable C&W to provide mobile data services at speeds about four times faster than currently available in the Cayman Islands. This will enable customers to access services on their smartphones such as video calling, streaming of HD video clips and ultra-fast web browsing.
CWC was awarded the mobile spectrum over which it will broadcast LTE services having won a competitive tender process. It was awarded two blocks of spectrum in the 700 megahertz (Mhz) spectrum band, which will help to ensure that customers receive a good signal even when indoors.
“Just over two years after launching 4G mobile services across all three of the Cayman Islands, C&W has acquired an LTE license and additional frequencies which will enable us to provide super-fast mobile data services on the next generation of technology” the release from C&W said.
What is 4G? | Mobile phones have been through several generations of development.
The introduction of basic data services (predominantly text messaging) was called second generation (2G). EDGE networks provide faster connectivity to enable easier usage of mobile internet. EDGE networks are often marketed as 2.5G.
The 3G standard was given to networks utilising High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) technology, which enabled even faster download speeds and the use of multimedia services such as video calling and streamed video clips. 3G networks also enabled operators to launch mobile broadband services.
The International Telecoms Union has designated that a further generational leap has taken place in mobile technology. The 4G standard is awarded to a range of network technologies including HSPA+, WiMax and LTE.
