NTT DoCoMo plans to demonstrate a prototype cellular handset running next-generation LTE technology at this month's Mobile World Congress exhibition in Barcelona, one of the companies that co-developed the handset said Monday.

LTE is a development on current 3G cellular technology and will accelerate data transmission by several times to at least 100Mbps. NTT DoCoMo is planning to launch LTE data services in Japan this year and is working with NEC, Fujitsu and Panasonic on prototype LTE data terminals and handsets.

The demonstration at Barcelona will be running on a prototype LTE chip developed by the four companies, said NEC. The chip was first demonstrated in October in concept data cards, and its appearance at Barcelona will be the first time it's appeared in a handset.

The prototype handset will be used to demonstrate high-definition video transmission across an LTE network, said NEC.

NTT DoCoMo has been aggressively pushing LTE development and is planning to spend between ¥300 billion and ¥400 billion (US$3.3 billion to $4.4 billion) to roll-out the technology over the next five years.

The Mobile World Congress is scheduled to take place from Feb. 15 to 18 in Barcelona, Spain.

Source:computerworld