Bell Mobility launches 4G LTE wireless network in Ontario

Bell Mobility has launched its 4G LTE wireless network in areas of Toronto, Mississauga, Hamilton, Kitchener-Waterloo and Guelph.

“LTE is the next step in ensuring Bell continues to deliver the best networks in the world to Canadian consumers and businesses, backed up by the newest data devices and the leading mobile services and content available. LTE will deliver amazing data access speeds – at least three times faster than the Bell HSPA+ network originally launched less than three years ago,” said Wade Oosterman, President of Bell Mobility.

Bell’s new network will compete with Rogers’ LTE network, which recently launched in similar areas. The telco’s roll-out will bring coverage to additional Canadian markets this year and through 2012, emphasizing an urban rollout first. The timing of broader rural and remote coverage deployments will remain contingent on the outcome of Industry Canada’s 700 MHz spectrum auction.

“We partner with mobile technology start-ups, developer communities and established innovators across Waterloo and the GTA – they’re a big part of the more than $800 million in R&D spending that Bell invests in Canada each year,” said Stephen Howe, Bell’s Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer (CTO). “We’re happy to help accelerate innovation with the fastest wireless network technology commercially available.”

Customers can buy next generation LTE Turbo Sticks now, which allow users to connect their laptops to the 4G LTE network, and will be able to purchase LTE/HSPA+-capable smartphones and tablets later this year. Bell’s network was developed in partnership with Cisco, Huawei and Nokia Siemens Networks.