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Update: MTS goes live with LTE network, launches the Sony Xperia ion

By on August 28, 2012 at 3:14pm in Mobile News, MTS


MTS has brought faster speeds to a few Manitobans today. The regional carrier has flipped the switch on in both Winnipeg and Brandon, but states their coverage will expand in 2013 to include “more communities across Manitoba.” MTS says “peak speeds under optimal conditions” will garner upward of 75 Mbps download, and upload speeds of 25 Mbps – realistically you’ll score around 25 Mbps down and 10 Mbps up.

As for devices, there are currently two of them. First is the Sony Xperia ion. A powerful LTE device that runs OS 2.3 Gingerbread and is promised an upgrade to OS 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich “soon.” The ion has been priced at $79.99 on a 3-year and ranges to $599.99 outright (check out our review here). Next, there’s the Huawei E397 internet stick.

With MTS’ LTE network now live… expect other carriers to open up service.

Update: Clearly there is some communication issues happening. MTS has posted LTE news on their site as the network has gone live, but we understand that the network is only in beta testing still. The devices have launched though and are available. We’ve reached out to MTS for clarification.

Update #2: We’ve heard back from MTS. Their LTE network is live. Here’s their official statement:

“MTS’s 4G LTE Wireless Network is live. We commercially launched our 4G LTE wireless service in Winnipeg and Brandon on August 28, 2012. We also introduced two new LTE-enabled devices – the Sony Xperia ion Smartphone and the Huawei E397 Wireless Internet Stick – which will work on our 4G LTE service where 4G LTE is available (Winnipeg and Brandon) and elsewhere in Manitoba on our existing 4G (HSPA+) network.”

Source: MTS
(Thanks to everyone who sent this in!)

Related posts:

  1. Bell’s Manitoba HSPA network going live on August 1st
  2. Confirmed: Rogers launching LTE Samsung Galaxy S II, plus LTE network in Toronto goes live September 28th
  3. Update: Rogers LTE network now live in Moncton
  4. TELUS’ LTE network going live February 10th, plans to reach over 25 million Canadians by the end of 2012

Discussion

18 comments for “Update: MTS goes live with LTE network, launches the Sony Xperia ion”

  1. fingers crossed for the S3

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 1

    Posted by Arkmay | August 28, 2012, 3:22 pm
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  2. coverage map? I can see already they are using AWS 1.7/2.1 frequencies so maybe roaming agreements might come along with the robellus in the future but their smart flex stick plan of up to 90$ for 5GB is pretty expensive my telus stick with LTE and NATIONWIDE coverage gets me up to 90$ for 9GB fail MTS

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 4

    Posted by Harry | August 28, 2012, 3:24 pm
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    • There currently have no information on coverage or plans and pricing, the network itself isn’t live yet.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 5

      Posted by EvanKr | August 28, 2012, 3:29 pm

  3. Wow… Nice job, MTS! I’m actually impressed!

    HOWEVER, they haven’t actually launched LTE yet. I’ve called multiple MTS dealers, and they told me that “(they) currently have an LTE capable phone available, however the network isn’t up and running yet”. They also have no idea in regards coverage and plans.

    Expect the network itself to go live within a few weeks/months by the end of 2012 with more handsets, and likely Rogers LTE tower sharing coverage as well.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 2

    Posted by EvanKr | August 28, 2012, 3:28 pm
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    • EDIT: I just got in touch with the MTS corporate office, apparently the network’s still in beta testing, and is set to go live sometime around November. They are NOT tower sharing with Rogers, the network is totally theirs. Currently, the Xperia Ions are in extremely Iimited supply, and for that reason are priced higher than market value. If you were to purchase one today, you’d be on HSPA+ for the time being.

      Come November, MTS should be releasing a slew of new phones (likely Android, the “new” iPhone and possibly WP8 devices), along with LTE SIM cards and new plans.

      The network should cover the greater Winnipeg and Brandon areas, streatching into the suburbs, no just the city core.

      The rep that I spoke to recommended waiting until November, when more up to date devices will be available, as well as full access to the network.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 1

      Posted by EvanKr | August 28, 2012, 3:51 pm

  4. You are now chatting with Travis.
    Travis: Hello! How can I help you today?
    mike: hi i heard mts lte is now up? any truth to this?
    Travis: It is not fully up, they are testing the network.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 1

    Posted by astroboy99 | August 28, 2012, 3:37 pm
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  5. this is misleading and should be removed – MTS has not launched LTE.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 9

    Posted by cynthia | August 28, 2012, 3:43 pm
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  6. Holy Geez! The 2 yr pricing on the phone is $179.99!
    That is…..shockingly reasonable. Especially considering they’re a canadian carrier. Go MTS on the decent pricing!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 1

    Posted by Blekdar | August 28, 2012, 4:04 pm
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    • Agreed 100%
      usually canadian cellular providers offer 2 year plans, but its like almost 80% of the off contract price.

      For example: rogers offers the sony ion for $499 off contract. 2 year contract price? $449.
      what a joke
      and even more hilarious and sad, bell offers the galaxy s3 off contract for $649, 2 year price? $649

      Hope mts keeps that kind of pricing going forward. Great job!

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

      Posted by Bobby | August 29, 2012, 2:28 pm

  7. I was told by one Rep it was up and running. The rep with him told him it wasnt. They then compared emails from head office and each email was different. One saying it was and one saying it wasnt. Sounds like a communication company has bad communication…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 1

    Posted by Jebus | August 28, 2012, 4:11 pm
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  8. Interestingly enough, the phone is 700mhz capable on LTE, so once that spectrum auction is held, and the spectrum is built out, this phone would be capable of actually using it.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0

    Posted by Azure | August 28, 2012, 5:58 pm
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  9. They are late to the party, but its nice of them to launch a half decent Android phone. Hopefully the S3 is launched soon as well.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 3

    Posted by Azure | August 28, 2012, 6:00 pm
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    • They aren’t that late – it’s only been a few months since any carrier had LTE in Manitoba…

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 3

      Posted by Owen Finn | August 28, 2012, 6:37 pm

    • @Owen,

      MTS is the first to launch LTE in Manitoba, Rogers lists it as “coming soon”, but MTS is the first.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 1

      Posted by EvanKr | August 28, 2012, 7:06 pm

    • Actually since Rogers and MTS are in a network sharing/build agreement it’s likely that they’ll launch at the same time.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 3

      Posted by Porilaisten | August 29, 2012, 2:35 am

  10. the MTS buffalo kicks as$

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 2

    Posted by Jimmy | August 28, 2012, 6:39 pm
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  11. I meant late to the Android party.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 3

    Posted by Azure | August 28, 2012, 7:29 pm
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  12. Rogers has started advertising LTE on billboards in Winnipeg in late July. LTE has to be coming soon.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 4

    Posted by Senk | August 29, 2012, 2:41 am
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