Etisalat Tests 300Mbps Download Speeds over LTE Network

­Etisalat says that it has tested LTE services offering a theoretical peak rate of 300Mbps download speeds. The service was tested using MIMO 4x 4 technologies.

Saleh Al Abdooli, CEO of Etisalat said “Etisalat’s existing 4G network offers speeds up to 150 Mbps, but devices available in the market still don’t support this speed. The commercial launch of this latest 300Mbps speed depends on the availability of devices can handle such a speed.””

The speeds quoted are based on theoretical peak speeds and once lots of consumers are using the same cell, then the speed is reduced proportionately.

“Initial reports from international hardware providers indicate that these devices will be available over the next year. This speed will be a turning point for the customers in the mobile internet experience,” Al Abdooli added.

The mobile network has currently upgraded 1,000 base stations to support its existing LTE service, which covers about 80% of the population.