Nokia Siemens Networks and LG Electronics achieve record LTE data speeds

First data call at maximum downlink rate of 100 Mbps for a Class 3 USB wireless modem

Nokia Siemens Networks and LG Electronics have achieved an LTE downlink data transfer rate of 100 Mbps, the maximum speed for a Class 3 LTE terminal. In LTE, user equipment is categorized into classes based on its potential uplink and downlink data rates.

Class 3 terminals are expected to be the first widely used commercial LTE terminals when they are launched later in 2010. This data call, operating a Class 3 terminal at its 100Mbps limit, therefore demonstrates significant progress towards commercial LTE.

The call was made using Nokia Siemens Networks’ LTE radio equipment including the Flexi Multiradio Base Station, its Evolved Packet Core network elements and standards-compliant software along with a pre-commercial LTE USB modem from LG Electronics (LG), a global leader and technology innovator in mobile communications. The speed record comes after the announcement from November 2009, when the two companies were the first to complete end-to-end LTE interoperability tests in the 2100 MHz frequency band.

 The data call was made as part of extended interoperability tests conducted by Nokia Siemens Networks and LG in the 2100 MHz and 2600 MHz frequency bands at Nokia Siemens Networks’ LTE R&D centers in Oulu, Finland, and Ulm, Germany.

Nokia Siemens Networks and LG continue to work on testing LTE in other frequency bands and to improve performance. In addition to initiatives at its R&D centers, Nokia Siemens Networks has deployed a number of LG’s terminals in its live over-the-air field test network in the Espoo area of Finland, using real-life mobility scenarios. In addition, LG’s terminals will be used in live trials with Nokia Siemens Networks’ customers.