Rogers First with LTE Wireless Technology

[jon]

From the East to the West, Rogers Expands Canada's first LTE network to Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver
Canada NewsWire
Rogers Announces Canada's first LTE tablet

TORONTO, Sept. 28, 2011 /CNW/ - Rogers Communications Inc. announced today its Long Term Evolution (LTE) wireless network service is now also live in Canada's three largest cities - Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver. Expanding upon Canada's first LTE network launched in Ottawa on July 7th, more than 5.5 million Canadians now have access to the world's fastest wireless network technology.

"We're thrilled to be the first carrier in Canada to offer LTE and the fastest mobile speeds to Canada's three largest provinces and to more Canadians than any other carrier in Canada," said John Boynton, Rogers Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. "With Rogers LTE wireless network coverage, customers have access to speeds similar to broadband connections, making it easier for people to use their devices to download apps, stream HD videos and music or play on-line games, with virtually no delays or buffering."

Rogers also announced it will launch the Rogers exclusive HTC Jetstream™ LTE tablet, the fastest tablet in Canada, on October 18. The Samsung Galaxy S II™ LTE smartphone, the LTE Rocket™ mobile hotspot (Sierra Wireless AirCard ® 754S), and an HTC smartphone will be in stores in the coming weeks. The Rogers LTE Rocket™ stick (Sierra Wireless AirCard ® 313U) is available in stores today or Rogers customers can reserve these upcoming Rogers LTE devices online now through the Rogers Reservation System at www.rogers.com/lte.

"Rogers is offering the widest selection of LTE devices and will be among the first carriers in the world to make them available," said John Boynton. "And this is just the beginning. With LTE as the new gold standard of wireless network technology, Rogers customers can expect to see more great LTE products in the coming year that will redefine the mobile experience for millions of consumers and businesses across Canada."

To celebrate the expansion of Canada's first LTE network, Rogers is also announcing a special introductory plan that gives LTE customers an opportunity to activate on one of Rogers largest ever data buckets - 10GB for $52.93 per month. This limited time offer complements Rogers LTE rate card that provides customers with more data at a lower cost per MB so that they can take full advantage of the speed and performance of the world's fastest wireless network technology. Rogers customers also benefit from no overage charges during the first two months following activation as they adjust to their new service.

This year, Rogers will have LTE devices capable of maximum theoretical download speeds of up to 100 Mbps. Today, devices are capable of downloading up to 75 Mbps and Rogers LTE customers are experiencing typical download speeds ranging from 12 Mbps to 25 Mbps. These speeds are significantly faster than those Canadians experience on any other 4G HSPA+ wireless network. As device selection evolves, customers will be able to take advantage of the full potential of the Rogers LTE network and maximum theoretical download speeds will increase to up to 150 Mbps.

Rogers was the first Canadian carrier to start conducting technical trials last fall, with commitment to a multi-year deployment that began with Canada's first LTE launch in Ottawa, followed by Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver. Rogers LTE network will expand to more than 30 per cent of the population by the end of 2011.

The national launch of LTE reinforces Rogers proud history of innovative firsts and commitment to investing to build Canada's digital future. Rogers was the first carrier in North America to launch an HSPA+ network; the first carrier in Canada to launch GSM; the first in the world to launch BlackBerry® devices; and the first in Canada to launch both Android products and the iPhone.

Canadians can learn more about Rogers' LTE network and device pricing by visiting http://www.rogers.com/lte. To find out when LTE is coming to your area, sign up at http://www.IwantmyLTE.ca.

[TRENT310]

Rogers always does that. Cover a few areas and call it a successful rollout.

That's like putting in service in St. John's and Vancouver Island and calling it 'cost to coast'.

The use of MIMO and channel bonding is basically what is driving throughput enhancements over transmission mediums (like free space) these days. However it forces the cell site to be very small (like 1km radius), like the way it is done in large cities (lower the number of associated users per site). I will be interested in seeing how it scales to larger radius, lower density sites.