Rogers conducts first '4G' testing in Ottawa

Rogers Communications Inc. said Wednesday that it will test advanced wireless technology in Ottawa that moves wireless traffic up to seven times faster.

It said it already working on Long Term Evolution (LTE) wireless technology with Ericsson at the former Nortel labs in Ottawa and will expand the test across the region. Rogers said it will be the first test in Canada of its "fourth generation," or 4G, of wireless technology.

This is a technical trial and Rogers customers won't notice any differences until the technology is proven and it has more spectrum to deliver it.

A government auction is expected next year.

Telephone and cable companies in Canada and around the world are rapidly embracing LTE to handle a wave of traffic generated by texting, online search, video, gaming, banking and voice communications.

LTE is already in service in the U.S. in Las Vegas with a small regional carrier. Verizon will offer it in New York, Chicago and as well as 36 other cities by the end of the year.

In addition to more speed, Rogers said LTE technology, breaks barriers between wireless, traditional phones, laptops and other devices.

"Our customers increasingly want anywhere, anytime access to information, communications, entertainment and transactional experiences on their device of choice," said Rogers CEO Nadir Mohamed.