EC to spend £15.5m on 4G mobile networks

The European Commission (EC) is to channel £15.5 million into research for 4G mobile networks that could eventually result in high next-generation broadband speeds.

Research will be aimed at developing Advanced Long-Term Evolution (LTE) mobilebroadband technology that would use mobile phone networks to deliver connection speeds of up to one gigabit per second, or 1,000 megabits per second (Mbps) through mobile handsets.

The technology already delivers speeds of up to 100Mbps in tests throughout Europe, which could make applications like VoIP solutions operate more efficiently, but it could be several years before it becomes widely used.

Viviane Reding, the European Union's commissioner for telecoms and media, said: "LTE technologies will turn mobile phones into powerful mobile computers. Millions of new users will get ultra high-speed internet access on their portable devices, wherever they are."

Mobile networks may be used in the UK to deliver broadband to rural communities that are not situated close to telephone exchanges, as this could be cheaper than laying fibre optic cabling.