bmobile Mobile 4G LTE Launch (Trinidad and Tobago)Hassan Voyeau in News December 9, 2016 516 Words
Digicel was the first to bring us HSPA+ “4G” mobile data followed by bmobile. Bmobile has had 4G LTE mobile broadband for some time now. Now bmobile is first with mobile LTE. An ad in today’s papers states, “T&T’s first 4G LTE network – Live the excitement.” We (media) have been invited to the launch today. Also the following was posted to bmobile’s facebook page an hour ago
T&T’s First 4G LTE Network is here! This is the world’s fastest wireless technology, capable of delivering data speeds up to 10x faster than other technologies. Bmobile is the only network in the country to offer 4G LTE technology to both mobile and residential customers. That’s why we are THE 4G LTE network.
TATT is yet to publicly assign carriers to the 700 Mhz band which can be used for mobile LTE and has better penetrance and less interferance especially for built-up areas. So I’ve been looking online to understand the different bands and mobile technologies. There is GSM, CDMA, UMTS and LTE and different bands used and assigned to these for Digicel and bmobile. Found this tool that has this type of information and hopefully it is updated in a timely fashion.
So bmobile will move UMTS off 1900 and use it for LTE until 700 is assigned. That’s what I am thinking. Wikipedia has LTE as ‘coming soon’ for Digicel (Trinidad and Tobago). I am thinking two things, they are waiting on 700 Mhz and much of their investment money and effort has gone into rolling out Digicel Play (FTTH). LTE is supposed to bring higher speeds and better performance when done right. Hopefully we don’t end up with a speed cap and deteriorating speeds and performance as the network gets saturated. I had to be professional and not say anything before launch day. I so wanted to tweet out, “mobile LTE is launching in Trinidad and Tobago on Friday”.
https://thetechremix.com/2016/12/09/bmo ... nd-tobago/TSTT goes high speed...butSaturday, December 10 2016
THE Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT) yesterday launched its super high speed internet for mobile, 4G LTE (Long- Term Evolution). However TSTT says it cannot provide nationwide coverage until the Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (TATT) allocates it the 700 megahertz spectrum.
Emile Elias, chairman of TSTT, said the Board is contemplating taking legal action to ensure that TSTT and the people of Trinidad and Tobago gets the service they deserve.
Speaking at the 4GLTE launch at TSTT’s head office, Edward Street, Port-of-Spain, Elias claimed that three years ago, “elements” in the old board of TATT and National Enterprises Limited (NEL) were involved in what he considered a “conspiracy” to damage TSTT. “Whoever the cap fits, let them wear it. If they get me damn vex I might start naming names,” he said.
He lamented that the last Boards of TATT and NEL, did not believe that “the people of this country can run a telecommunications giant like TSTT.” “We need to get rid of that attitude and if necessary get rid of the people who still have that attitude. They conspired with certain foreign entities to damage TSTT to ensure we don’t get the kind of spectrum and support that we need. Today after on a year, of a new Board, we have the financing in place, the leadership in place, we have the plan in place and we are going to go forward,” Elias said.
TSTT Chairman Dr Ronald Walcott explained that the 700 megahertz spectrum is standard for LTE deployment because of its propagation characteristics.
“Which includes the ability to have the type of geographical coverage that we would want to ensure so we can provide this solution throughout the length and breadth of Trinidad and Tobago,” he said.
He also explained that 4G LTE allows the user to experience ultra fast broadband speeds on their mobile devices adding that TSTT would provide speeds that are as much as “ten times faster than anything you can get from anyone in TT.” Currently TSTT is in phase one of this deployment and in that phase, Walcott said they are sure to cover all of Portof- Spain, San Fernando and Scarborough. “We would like to get 85 percent population coverage over the next couple of months assuming that we can get the 700 megahertz spectrum that is required,” he said. http://newsday.co.tt/news/0,237026.html