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Bermudian mobile operators CellOne and Digicel are finally going 4G LTE….just not in Jamaica!

In just a few weeks from now, Digicel Bermuda will launch their first 4G LTE Network in the British Territory. The main competition, CellOne, is set to unveil a 4G LTE Network around the same time, albeit their service will be limited to the capital of Hamilton.

Geezam - How Digicel's and CellOne LTE in Bermuda means 75 Mbps speeds coming to Jamaica - 09-04-2016 LHDEER (2)

So why exactly are the Telecom Providers in Bermuda launching 4G LTE?

CellOne’s 4G LTE Sandbox – 75MBps Speeds wee inevitable as Tourists want the convenience

CellOne’s marketing director, Brian Lonergan, 4G LTE was inevitable on Bermuda, given their close proximity to the US of A, where Tourists come expecting to be able to watch movies on their smartphones, quote: “You can’t be the carrier that does not have it. And when one carrier goes first everyone else will follow. We wanted to be first with LTE, to be the innovator”.

Geezam - How Digicel's and CellOne LTE in Bermuda means 75 Mbps speeds coming to Jamaica - 09-04-2016 LHDEER

No news on the spectrum that they plan to use, but based on the SAT (Spectrum Allocation Table) as shown below for the Caribbean below, it might unused spectrum in the 850 MHz or an as-yet to be allocated 700 MHz band, which in Bermuda might be free and clear for use.

Geezam - How Digicel's and CellOne LTE in Bermuda means 75 Mbps speeds coming to Jamaica - 09-04-2016 LHDEER (1)

CellOne equipment upgrades are pending and the spectrum is yet to be allocated. For this reason, CellOne’s LTE offering will be confined to Hamilton, effectively a testing sandbox as allowed under the Bermuda Telecom Act to work out all the feature of their service. However, once their sandbox is up and running, expect speeds as high as 75MBps dependent on:

  • Number of users in the Hamilton area sandbox
  • Proximity to the tower upon which 4G LTE antennas have been installed and provisioned
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CellOne’s 4G LTE smartphones – Apple rules the roost with Samsung and BLU in the mix

Already, CellOne has listed mobile phones on its website that are 4G LTE capable and is encouraging users to upgrade to LTE capable Smartphone and get a LTE SIM (Subscriber Information Module) installed as per the instruction on their CellOne website.

According to their list, this is mainly the following models:

  • Apple iPhone 5s 64GB
  • Apple iPhone 6 64GB
  • Apple iPhone 6+ 128GB
  • Apple iPhone 6+ 16GB
  • Apple iPhone 6+ 64GB
  • Apple iPhone 6s 64GB
  • Apple iPhone 6s+ 64GB
  • BlackBerry Classic Q20
  • BlackBerry Leap
  • BlackBerry Passport
  • BlackBerry Priv
  • BLU Dash L
  • BLU Dash M
  • BLU Life XL
  • BLU Studio C 5+5
  • BLU Studio Energy 2
  • Google Nexus 5x
  • Motorola G 3rd Gen.
  • PLUM Gator Plus 2
  • Plum Might LTE
  • Samsung Galaxy Note 4
  • Samsung Galaxy Note 5
  • Samsung Galaxy S5 neo
  • Samsung Galaxy S6 32GB
  • Samsung Galaxy S6 64GB
  • Samsung Galaxy S6 edge + 32GB
  • Samsung Galaxy S6 edge 32GB
  • Samsung Galaxy S6 edge 64gb
  • Samsung Galaxy S7 32GB
  • Samsung Galaxy S7 edge 32GB
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Check Settings then Mobile Networks in your smartphone to see if it has a 4G LTE option. LTE SIM Card will be specially marked to indicate that they are able to be authenticated on their new Network.

This seems to be mainly Apple, Samsung, Blackberry and BLU smartphones. So what does Digicel plan to do in response?

Digicel going all Island 4G LTE – Launch expected on WTISD 2016

Digicel is opting for an all island launch instead of just the capital.

Geezam - How Digicel's and CellOne LTE in Bermuda means 75 Mbps speeds coming to Jamaica - 09-04-2016 LHDEER (1)

Knowing that Digicel is currently promotion CANTO’s 10th Annual World Telecommunication and Information Society Day Video Competition which is a part of ITU (International Telecommunications Union) as World Telecommunication and Information Society Day celebrations or WTISD 2016 as per my ditty Digicel and CANTO’s 10th Annual WTISD 2016 Video Competition heralds 4G LTE, it stands to reason that they may be launching their 4G LTE Network on that day: Tuesday May 17th 2016.

Folks this development is exciting, as once Digicel launches in Bermuda, Jamaica might be getting 4G LTE before the year is out. Stick and stay with this blog as I track this latest developement from Digicel.

Here’s the link:

http://www.cellone.bm/4g-lte/

CellOne’s 4G LTE Compatible smartphones

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