Motorola’s Long Term Evolution (LTE) trial network and testing lab in Swindon, U.K., opened for business with a live, over-the-air, standards-compliant LTE call.
LTE is the fourth-generation (4G) upgrade to today’s 3G cellular technology. Motorola’s demonstration used its own LTE infrastructure, operating in the 2.6GHz spectrum, and a prototype LTE device.
This latest expansion of Motorola’s LTE trial facilities in Swindon is a testbed for LTE technology field trials and detailed real-world equipment testing, the company said.
Joe Cozzolino, senior vice president and general manager of Motorola Home & Networks Mobility for EMEA & Asia Pacific, said, “With our latest trial network, we look forward to working closely with our customers in EMEA as they transition to LTE during 2009 and beyond.”
Motorola’s first commercial release of LTE solutions later this year will include products for the 700MHz band (to be used in the U.S.) and 2.6GHz spectrum bands (used largely in EMEA).
Meanwhile, analysts expect Motorola to post grim fourth-quarter results Tuesday on losses in its handset division, causing some to speculate that the company may restructure or sell off the segment in late 2009 after postponing the spin-off last spring.
Many analysts expect the third-largest manufacturer of wireless handsets to post a 1-cent-per-share loss for the fourth quarter, with some more optimistic analysts expecting the company to post earnings of 0 cents per share.
– Wireless Week’s Maisie Ramsay contributed to this report
