ZTE and Swedish operator Hi3G are partnering to launch what they claim will be the world’s first LTE TDD/FDD dual mode networks.  ZTE will provide the kit for the rollout, which will take place in Sweden and Denmark. As part of the deal, ZTE will also be involved in the upgrade of the operator’s 3G network.

Hi3G says it expects to develop its Swedish and Danish networks for mobile broadband during 2011 and “will introduce LTE technology with very high data speeds of up to 100Mbps.” Two versions of LTE will be launched: Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) and Time Division Duplex (TDD).

Hi3G owns 500MHz of TDD spectrum in Sweden and 25MHz of it in Denmark. The TDD version of LTE is used mainly in China, where China Mobile has been the principal advocate and developer of the standard. The cost of TDD spectrum is lower than FDD, but the two technologies are compatible; ZTE says that this new network will be the first in the world to use both technologies in dual mode. Earlier this year, Vodafone, Bharti Airtel and Clearwire were among the players that announced their backing for a new initiative to make TDD LTE a global standard.

To date, ZTE has been involved in over 20 LTE projects with the likes of Telenor, Etisalat, China Mobile and Telstra Group. More than 65 LTE trials have been conducted globally and president for Europe and America, Zhu Jinyun has said that additional LTE-infrastructure deals in these markets will be “announced shortly.”

The seventh annual LTE World Summit takes place in Amsterdam on 17th – 18th May