The 4G network will be capable of download speeds of anywhere from 2Mbps to 66Mbps.

Currently the operator has 250 LTE-ready sites (mostly in Gauteng) and it will have 400-500 base stations enabled for 4G by the end of the year. The launch of these services will be focused on specific areas of the three cities.

MTN is pushing ahead to launch 4G, despite any clarity from the Department of Communications and Icasa around the allocation of additional spectrum in the 800Mhz and 2.6Ghz bands – a process that has dragged on for years.

Chief technical officer of MTN South Africa Kanagaratnam Lambotharan says MTN will “refarm” (re-allocate) spectrum in the 1800Mhz band which it currently uses for other services. It has been running a trial of 4G services in Gauteng using around 100 sites from July 2011.

Lambotharan says that even without access to the additional spectrum, it made sense to launch 4G services now.

The “momentum” is there, he said, with reference to the iPhone 5 which supports LTE and is set to launch in South Africa in the coming months. He admitted that “refarming” spectrum for use by LTE was “not ideal”, but was needed until the “longer term spectrum issues are sorted out”.

Well-placed sources have confirmed to CitiBusiness that rival Vodacom will also launch 4G services in the coming months.

– hilton@moneyweb.co.za