Alcatel-Lucent (News - Alert), in conjunction with Telecom, has launched New Zealand’s first LTE Showcase – demonstrating next generation mobile broadband technology and applications that will change the way New Zealanders work, play and use mobiles.

LTE (News - Alert) is the next generation mobile broadband standard, evolving seamlessly from existing 2G and 3G networks that are widely deployed across the world today.

Partners, customers, media and members of New Zealand’s innovation community will be hosted at the LTE Showcase, taking place at Telecom Place in Auckland during September and October.

“Put simply, LTE is blazingly fast mobile technology. It’s going to fuel our digital future by delivering a greater level of innovation, performance and communication. You hit send, it’s gone. You download, it’s there. LTE is that fast,” says Richard Fraser, Alcatel-Lucent’s VP of Solutions and Strategy for New Zealand and Pacific Islands, in a release.

Operators around the world are facing a data explosion because of the rise of smartphones and boom in applications.

LTE, by offering super-fast speeds and low latency, helps operators to meet data explosion challenges. They also help them create opportunities for enriched wireless broadband services like unlocking new revenue streams, innovating business models and creating competitive advantage.

Telecom Retail CEO, Alan Gourdie said, “We are closely following the evolution of mobile technology internationally, and looking at the many opportunities these new technologies bring. So we’re excited to be working with Alcatel-Lucent to deliver this showcase to demonstrate to New Zealanders what some of the applications over these technologies may look like.”

Applications from ng Connect Program partners will be featured by the LTE Showcase. The ng Connect Program, founded by Alcatel-Lucent, is a unique alliance of global infrastructure, device, application and content companies that work together to help develop next generation mobile services and applications. These solution concepts include: Connected Camera, Connected Video, Virtual Venue, Augmented Reality, Virtual Concierge, GameTime Media Table, Media Hot Spot and Next-generation signage.

In related news, Alcatel-Lucent in partnership with P&TLuxembourg, has announced the launch of a superfast 100G IP connection between Frankfurt and Luxembourg.