The LTE/SAE (Long-Term Evolution/System Architecture Evolution) Trial Initiative (LSTI) passed a major milestone recently when several vendors demonstrated the technology's advanced capability with high-volume data throughput for mobile devices.
 

The latest trials were part of the proof-of-concept phase of the LSTI that will culminate with the rollout of new mobile broadband services with download speeds in excess of 100Mbps.
 

Hanna Maurer Sibley, LTE product manager, says: "These results prove without doubt that the technology works."
 

Vendors and operators agreed on test procedures and methods of analysis, performed the tests on their pre-commercial platforms, and came up with a consistent message that LTE lives up to its promises, she says.
 

"It was a major achievement to be able to show LTE's capabilities with five different vendors."
 

LSTI brings together vendors and operators to demonstrate LTE's capabilities and maturity as a future technology, and gear the LTE ecosystem towards commercial products.
 

During 2008, Ericsson will lead work on LSTI interoperability testing (IOT), moving from laboratory equipment to commercial platforms.
 

Maurer Sibley says the momentum provided by the successful trial, combined with a strong project partnership, will ensure that LTE will be accepted as the industry standard for the next generation of high-speed mobile broadband.
 

"The LTE/SAE Trial Initiative has delivered impressive consolidated results from major vendors with insight from several global operators," Maurer Sibley says.
 

"As long as we continue on this path there will be no doubt that LTE is the right choice for the future."