O2 trials LTE technology in Slough

Major internet service provider (ISP) O2 has announced it has conducted trials of long term evolution (LTE) mobilebroadband technology in Slough, Berkshire.

The ISP had originally said the tests would take place before the middle of 2010, but it now says it has worked with Chinese company Huawei to test the technology and deliver connection speeds as high as 150 megabits per second.

LTE technology could be used to deliver faster download times and potentially enable more efficient use of applications such as VoIP hardware.

Tim Watkins, Huawei's vice-president for western Europe, said: "All the mobile operators are struggling to cope with the huge demand for data services. LTE will be able to handle up to 20 times as much data and allow more bandwidth-hungry applications."

A larger LTE network could be launched by the company towards the end of next year, although no specific details have been released.

Similar networks are to be launched in the Scandinavian cities of Oslo and Stockholm.