A new mobile broadband technology could form part of the government's plans to provide broadband access to the whole of the UK.
Long-Term Evolution (LTE) networks could have a large part to play in the UK's broadband future, the communications minister has said.
Stephen Carter made the comments when visiting Motorola's innovation centre in Swindon, where the technology is currently being tested. LTE - or fourth-generation mobile - is considered by many in the industry to be a significant move forward in the mobile broadband sphere and could deliver speeds of up to 100Mbps.
The government has a specific interest in LTE as it has cited mobile broadband as one technology which could be used to provide universal broadband access to the whole of the UK, as pledged in the Digital Britain report.
"Motorola's trials here in Swindon are not only important in terms of inward investment and innovation and service development; they could also represent an important step towards stretching broadband coverage to the remotest parts of the UK," said the minister.
The speed of LTE is significant as current mobile broadband connections are typically slower than fixed-line services. According to the government, at least 20 percent of the UK's population use mobile devices to connect to the internet.
Operators are expected to begin offering fourth-generation mobile technology in late 2010 or early 2011.
