Converged communications network operator Neotel came full circle on Wednesday as it launched its own commercial long-term evolution (LTE) network.

The initial 50 Phase 1 LTE-enabled base stations, using the 1 800 MHz frequency, went live in Johannesburg, Pretoria and Centurion, as Neotel targeted a potential digital subscriber line replacement for small and medium-sized businesses.

The initial offerings included download speeds of 2 Mb/s, 5 Mb/s and 10 Mb/s on uncapped packages ranging from R999 to R2 899 a month.

But the network, launched under Neotel’s flagship broadband service unit, Neobroadband, would leverage seven years of investment into, and the construction of, a diverse R5-billion communications network, allowing the company to package several connection options from 1 Mb/s to 100 Mb/s across a range of technologies such as fibre-optic and WiMAX Microwave, Neotel MD and CEO Sunil Joshi said.

Over R500-million was injected into the expansion of the company’s fibre-optic network last year alone. The Tata Communications subsidiary now had access to over 15 000 km of national long-distance fibre and 8 000 km in metropolitan regions, linked to the world through South Africa’s five undersea cables.

“Neotel can offer customers the speeds they need on a medium they are comfortable with and at a price point that delivers true value for the service they require,” he said.

Over the next 18 to 24 months, Neotel would phase-in additional LTE packages and expand the service into other regions, including Cape Town, Durban and beyond.

Neotel is the latest operator, following Vodacom and MTN, to unveil its LTE network, as operators compete to host the fastest broadband services and exploit the fast-growing R5.2-billion technology and broadband market in South Africa.

Neotel would use its LTE network to deliver efficient, stable, low contention, unshaped and uncapped Internet to its business and retail customers, as well as for last mile requirements, Joshi concluded.