Hi3G expands LTE with ZTE

ZTE Corporation has announced that it will deliver the next stage of Long Term Evolution (LTE) network rollout for Swedish mobile operator Hi3G Access (3), based on TDD/FDD dual-mode technology, following its commercial launch in December 2011. The deal is an extension of an agreement finalised in March 2011. For the contract extension, ZTE will deliver the SDR-based infrastructure equipment to upgrade the operator’s 3G network in Sweden. According to ZTE, the new network delivers a mix of FDD-LTE 800MHz and UMTS 900MHz services across southern Sweden, with TDD-LTE spectrum also being used in high demand areas, including the major cities of Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmo. Jorgen Askeroth, CTO of Hi3G, commented: ‘TDD-LTE gives us great capability to provide the best possible network capacity where demand is high, but we also have FDD-LTE because we believe that not all devices will support TDD in the future, and of course we have to support all users.’