It turns out users of Tbaytel’s 3G network have been on a 4G network since late last year.
The International Telecommunications Union reclassified networks such as Tbaytel’s 3G HSPA + to 4G last December because the global standardizing body found that new handsets were already too advanced to be considered 3G.
"Technologies that have significantly advanced over the originall deployment of 3G networks," Tbaytel president Don Campbell said.
Tbaytel launched its 3G network in November. Campbell said Friday’s announcement will not mean any changes to the network other than a change in marketing to 4G instead of3G. The intent of the announcement is to help customers understand he added.
"We just didn’t want the public to be confused over that," said Campbell.
The network has a current theoretical speed of 21 megabits per second but due to volume and distance form towers, customers experience around three to seven MPS on their smart phones Campbell said. Tbaytel plans to double that speed by the end of the summer.
"This network is going to continue to evolve in terms of capacity and speed," he said.
The designation should prove to people that Thunder Bay’s network is among the most advanced in the country Campbell added.
