This next generation of mobile is a very big step forward in technology delivering in its first version, peak data rates up to the Governments Ultra Fast Broadband initiative (100 Mbps downstream and 50 Mbps upstream) over the air to your handset, and by 2015/6 LTE Advanced will be delivering peak data throughputs above this benchmark.

Please don’t give me a hard time about advertising the peak speeds. I know these are rarely achievable in the field – and that typical user experience is more likely to be a ¼ of peak speeds. But it’s still pretty damn fast!

The first networks to build LTE are starting now with field tests of LTE from major Telcos in Asia, Europe, North America and South America and early LTE launches are planned for 2010.

Here in New Zealand portions of the most likely spectrum, the 700 Mhz band, will be available for use by 2013/2014 and it is likely that the major operators will launch services around this time.

LTE will mean a major step change for business and consumer with better speeds than your current fixed broadband to your mobile device, camera, music player, laptop, netbook. You may never plug in again.

From a business standpoint the move to hyper portable devices which are as fast on the road as they are in the office unplugs everyone and makes home or mobile working completely seamless.

From a consumer point of view with all media streamed to the portable device/netbook/handset/Kindle. And with almost all photos and videos going to Youtube and Facebook sites why store them on your device at home at all?

Our world becomes an always on online connected world.

"The source of real discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having n e w e y e s." (Marcel Proust)