Johannesburg - The MTN Group [JSE:MTN] said on Thursday it has launched trials of its faster LTE network as it gears up to meet growing data demand from smartphone users.
Mobile carriers are increasingly upgrading to LTE, or long-term evolution, networks that support high-speed wireless services.
MTN, Africa's biggest wireless provider, said it would launch LTE trials in 100 sites in Gauteng. Its rival Vodacom launched similar trials in June last year.
MTN said it expects to make the LTE network commercially available throughout the country within the next two to three years, once the regulator allocates the required spectrum to enable a national roll-out.
It said Ericsson and Huawei would build and help roll out the network.
Mobile carriers are increasingly upgrading to LTE, or long-term evolution, networks that support high-speed wireless services.
MTN, Africa's biggest wireless provider, said it would launch LTE trials in 100 sites in Gauteng. Its rival Vodacom launched similar trials in June last year.
MTN said it expects to make the LTE network commercially available throughout the country within the next two to three years, once the regulator allocates the required spectrum to enable a national roll-out.
It said Ericsson and Huawei would build and help roll out the network.