Late today, Bell announced that it will launch its LTE network in Toronto, Mississauga, Hamilton, Kitchener-Waterloo and Guelph on September 14th.
“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.
In terms of products, the LTE Sierra Wireless U313 Turbo Stick will be available online on September 14th (and in Bell stores the next day) for CA$79.95 with a three-year contract or CA$219.95 with no contract. The LTE Novatel Wireless U679 Turbo Stick will follow within weeks. Bell is also promising that LTE/HSPA+-capable smartphones and tablets will be available later this year.
Bell’s LTE deployment will continue this year and through 2012. It will focus on urban areas first with rural and remote deployments to depend on the outcome of Industry Canada’s upcoming 700MHz spectrum auction.
Rogers launched its LTE network in Ottawa back on July 7th but will only launch two weeks after Bell in the Toronto area.