Viva, a leading telecom service provider in Bahrain, last night (December 27) announced the launch of the fourth generation (4G) long term evolution (LTE) network in kingdom on New Year's Day.

With the launch of the state-of-the-art network, the company will lead the way in Internet services by bringing latest technology, said Viva Bahrain chief executive Ulaiyan Al Wetaid.

"This further reinforces our position as the provider of the fastest broadband in Bahrain," he said.

Al Wetaid said this was the third time in two years that Viva had broken a record with its broadband technology, starting with the introduction of the Evolved High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA+) network in 2010 with speeds of up to 21.1Mbps, then the fastest broadband service in Bahrain.

"Earlier this year, we launched our 42Mbps broadband," he added.

Al Wetaid said the new technology will make its debut on Sunday at the Bahrain City Centre where people will have an opportunity to experience it first-hand.

"We have once again delivered on our promise of bringing innovation and best services to Bahrain. The rollout of the new network update has started."

He said LTE 4G is a dramatic evolution in data access in which consumers will feel a new experience reaching 100 Mbps.

"The new technology will come with its set of new broadband devices and packages that will provide more value for money for consumers and business," he added.

He said this was yet another example of Viva's commitment to bringing to Bahrain the best and latest technologies paired with the best rates and packages.

"Our network has excelled in independent quality of service surveys by the Telecommunication Regulatory Authority."

He said with LTE, customers can download movies in minutes, songs and photos in seconds as well as smoothly use apps, play online games, watch Internet TV and get latest news in any form. "It is what the customer wants and looks forward to in the future," he added.

He said LTE will enable businesses to revolutionise the way they do business.

"It will maximise productivity and increase and make the business more nimble than ever before," Al Wetaid added. – TradeArabia News Service