It’s not only Verizon, Vodafone, AT&T and T-Mobile that are interested or already working on their future 4G networks. Over in Canada we have Rogers who plans to launch its own LTE network next year. During their last conference call Rogers had quite a few things to say about this LTE network:

Rogers’ LTE network is currently ahead of its development schedule

Recent tests have yielded 50 Mbps download speeds without any sort of optimization (woo!)

Speeds at launch are expected to reach 70 Mbps

The initial launch of the Rogers LTE network will take place in Vancouver and the surrounding area, in time for the 2010 Olympics (February 2010)

The service will launch with a USB stick - Rogers is still talking to vendors - but it has no plans to have any 4G-enabled handsets available at that time

The Rogers 4G network will expand outside of the Vancouver area during Q2 2010

Rogers will have 4G phones available by the end of Q2 2010 as it extends its 4G network

Rogers noted that its 3G launch was a mess but it is taking measures to ensure that 4G goes much smoother

Rogers will have LTE ready by Q3 2010. By then it also hopes to move its cable Internet network to LTE in order to free space for HD content on its cable business. Looking forward to see whose LTE network will be the first one to roll out officially.