MetroPCS: We'll deploy LTE in 2010

Flat-rate regional operator MetroPCS, which previously revealed plans to launch Long Term Evolution (LTE) as its 4G strategy, said it would launch LTE in the second half of 2010.

Tom Keys, the company's chief operating officer, in an interview with the blog GigaOM, did not specify a specific timetable, but said, "It is our desire to deploy LTE in 2010, probably the latter half." 

MetroPCS, which currently operates a CDMA network on AWS and PCS spectrum, in August said it had picked LTE as its 4G standard, following the lead of Tier 1 operator Verizon Wireless. At that time it did not provide a specific timeline. The company reaffirmed its commitment to LTE in its earnings call last week, but did not say when it expected to launch the technology. Keys said MetroPCS' relatively small footprint meant it could be "nimble" and could potentially deploy quickly.

For more:
- see GigaOm

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