CWC to launch 4G LTE in Cayman

Cable & Wireless (C&W) will launch Long Term Evolution (LTE) mobile data services in the Cayman Islands, where it trades as LIME. C&W will launch LTE services in the 2013/14 financial year initially on the isle of Grand Cayman.

The upgrade is the latest part of a programme of network upgrades across C&W’s pan-America business, providing customers with better access to mobile data. Mobile data usage is the fastest growing service across Cable & Wireless Communications’ (CWC) businesses, with Group mobile data revenue increasing by 34% in the 2012/13 year, a release from CWC said.

LTE is a ‘fourth generation’ (4G) mobile service which will enable C&W to provide mobile data services at speeds about four times faster than currently available in the Cayman Islands. This will enable customers to access services on their smartphones such as video calling, streaming of HD video clips and ultra-fast web browsing.

CWC was awarded the mobile spectrum over which it will broadcast LTE services having won a competitive tender process. It was awarded two blocks of spectrum in the 700 megahertz (Mhz) spectrum band, which will help to ensure that customers receive a good signal even when indoors.

“Just over two years after launching 4G mobile services across all three of the Cayman Islands, C&W has acquired an LTE license and additional frequencies which will enable us to provide super-fast mobile data services on the next generation of technology” the release from C&W said.

What is 4G? | Mobile phones have been through several generations of development.

The introduction of basic data services (predominantly text messaging) was called second generation (2G). EDGE networks provide faster connectivity to enable easier usage of mobile internet. EDGE networks are often marketed as 2.5G.

The 3G standard was given to networks utilising High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) technology, which enabled even faster download speeds and the use of multimedia services such as video calling and streamed video clips. 3G networks also enabled operators to launch mobile broadband services.

The International Telecoms Union has designated that a further generational leap has taken place in mobile technology. The 4G standard is awarded to a range of network technologies including HSPA+, WiMax and LTE.

Digicel also announced it was introducing 4G LTE technology in Cayman at a press conference last Friday (13) held at the Orchid Ballroom, Marriott Grand Cayman. There was also a panel discussion to introduce new products and services.

Digicel’s Commercial Director, Brian Hurley, told the media LTE technology is “the next big thing” in telecommunications. It allows for more bandwidth, a greater success rate of delivery across networks and enable traditionally wired applications on wireless devices. Such uses include data-intensive business applications, real-time video, streaming media from mobile devices, video messaging and video telephony. “LTE will be to 4G to what broadband was to dialup,” he said.

All three islands will be covered so the whole population will have access to high speed wireless.

LTE delivers a peak speed of 100 Mbps for download, although consumers may not always achieve this speed.

Rhys Ebanks, Digicel’s Chief Technology Officer, said, “this spectrum means we can offer two times the speed that a customer in the US using AT&T or Verizon customer would experience, meaning that customers will benefit from the fastest network connectivity in the Cayman Islands.”

Hurley said Digicel would be opening a new store in Countryside Shopping Village, Savannah.

Related story:

Digicel to abolish roaming charges in CARICOM October 1

From The Gleaner

Come October 1 Digicel customers roaming in CARICOM countries will be billed for calls in the same way they would have if they were making a local or domestic call.

Minister of Technology Phillip Paulwell, who is also the Caribbean Telecommunications Union President, made the announcement today.

The agreement will see roaming rates abolished for users of Digicel’s networks when they travel within CARICOM countries.

Paulwell said “After some negotiation, Digicel has agreed as of October 1, 2013, on the abolition of voice roaming on Digicel’s network in CARICOM countries.

Each travelling subscriber will be treated as if he is using his local/domestic Digicel network throughout the region and therefore be billed accordingly”.

Paulwell made the announcement at the opening ceremony of the joint International Telecommunications and Caribbean Telecommunications Union, Caribbean Ministerial Forum on ICT, today in Port of Spain Trinidad and Tobago.

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