THUNDER BAY – Tbaytel will be upgrading to LTE for its local customers, the company confirmed Monday.
In a news release issued by the telecommunication company, officials state the data network will feature “significantly faster data speeds than traditional 4G HSPA technology, Tbaytel’s LTE network provides users with faster upload and download rates, reduced latency and an improved overall browsing experience.”
“It’s a user experience that is second to none,” corporate communications manager Katie Crowe said.
“The 4G HSPA network still exists and it carries the voice and texting traffic.”
Users with an LTE capable device are encouraged to visit the Tbaytel store or another dealer to receive an LTE SIM card at no charge.
The new network has only been launched in the city, though the existing HSPA network will still pick up any gaps.
“You will find within the core areas of Thunder Bay and spreading towards the city limits that you will have a data experience that includes the LTE speed,” she said.
“As you get further outside of Thunder Bay obviously you want be picking up the LTE network as much but we do find our HSPA network when being utilized for data is quite fast in itself.”
Crowe said users who do not have an LTE capable device do not have to upgrade and the new network will not affect current mobility rates.
The launch of the LTE network comes after years of work to introduce an improved data network to their customer base.
Even when the HSPA network was launched in 2010 Tbaytel knew the LTE upgrade would be coming.
“The work started aggressively last year in upgrading software and hardware on our existing towers and network,” Crowe said.
The media release said the company is planning to expand the LTE network across other Northwestern Ontario markets.
