Hong Kong's CSL and South Korea's SK Telecom have launched what they say is the world's first international LTE roaming service.
The operators revealed that their respective customers will be able to roam on each others' LTE networks starting from next month. The prices will be the same as 3G roaming services offered by CSL and SK Telecom.
CSL CTO Christian Daigenault said the partnership with SK Telecom “is a significant milestone for the telecommunications industry, which continues to debate the feasibility of 4G LTE international roaming.”
But during the June pilot stage, only SK Telecom customers using the Pantech Vega Racer 2 handset will be able to use their own devices for LTE roaming.
Until roaming is fully available in July, CSL customers travelling to South Korea will have to borrow 4G handsets from the operator’s 1O1O Centre at the Hong Kong International Airport. Loans will be offered free of charge, and customers will use their own SIMs in the devices.
According to the companies, plans to expand roaming compatibility to more LTE smartphones are in motion.
CSL was the first Hong Kong operator to debut LTE services, with a launched in November 2010. SK Telecom launched LTE services at the same time as rival LG U+ in July 2011.
CSL and SK Telecom were the first operators to achieve interconnection between LTE networks during a pilot trial in March. Last week, SK Telecom also launched what it asserts is the world's first live pilot of Multi-Carrier LTE technology.