Samsung to release a dual-mode 4G version of the S4
The new S4 will be able to switch between different variants of LTE technologies, a move welcomed by Optus.
Samsung has announced plans to release new versions of the S4 and S4 Mini that will be able to work across multiple long-term evolution (LTE) standards.
The new phones will be able to switch between 4G networks based on Time-Division Duplex (TDD) and those based on Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) LTE.
According to Samsung, the move will help frequent travellers access high-speed data networks all around the world.
In Australia, Optus has welcomed the move, and has been involved with Samsung in testing the new devices locally.
While most of Australia (and much of the world) still uses FDD-LTE, Optus has recently launched a TDD-LTE network in Canberra, aiming to roll it out to other metropolitan centres in the next year.
A media statement from Rohan Ganeson, managing director of Sales for Optus, said: "Optus is pleased to partner with Samsung on this world first, with the roll-out of our new superfast 4G TDD-LTE network in Australia. These new smartphones will open up access to significantly more 4G capacity, allowing Optus customers to do more on their phone in more places."
TDD-LTE operates on the 2300MHz spectrum and, rather than using two separate frequency channels for uploads and downloads like FDD, it sends upload and download data across the same frequency, but at different times. According to Optus, this method "opens up the possibility to deliver even faster speeds in the future".