UK 4G network trial to begin in Cornwall

Mobile network Everything Everywhere (AKA Orange & T-mobile) and BT have announced a joint live trial of the first public 4G LTE network in the UK, which will take place in rural Cornwall from September to December this year.

Despite 4G networks becoming increasingly common in the US, Europe has been slower to adopt the new mobile standard, which is the successor to current 3G networks. The 4G LTE technology on trial could theoretically provide upload and download speeds of 50Mb/sec and 100Mb/sec respectively, although in reality speeds are likely to be much more conservative.

The trial will take place in 25km² of countryside near Newquay, covering roughly 700 houses that currently have limited or no access to current broadband services. With the involvement of Everything Everywhere, 4G mobile devices will also be used to test the new network.

The trial pre-empts the possible auctioning off of the 4G spectrum by Ofcom next year, and will use two 10MHz bands of the 800MHz band freed up by the UK's move from analogue to digital television services.

Those who live in the area of St Newlyn East can apply for a place in the trial here.

Excited that 4G is finally getting off the ground in the UK, or is it another sign of Europe's slowness when adopting new standards and technologies? Let us know in the forums.