UK operator O2, part of the Telefónica group, has selected Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN) to prepare its network to deliver LTE services across London and the South East of England. The operator is preparing to launch its 4G services soon after the UK’s spectrum auction in early 2013.

The decision was made after a successful 12 month LTE network trial involving hundreds of consumers and businesses across parts of London, according to NSN.  O2 will also rely on NSN to upgrade its existing GSM and HSPA network with the vendor’s latest radio access technology, and it is also enabling O2’s radio access network sharing.

“We’re investing in our network now to ensure we’re able to make 4G available to our customers as soon as possible following next year’s spectrum auctions,” said Andrew Conway, head of mobile access for O2. “Our choice of vendor was based on the positive experiences we’ve had implementing Nokia Siemens Networks’ Liquid Radio solution in our network.”

Rob Stent, head of the Telefónica UK customer team at NSN, added that the vendor is helping O2 meet its goals related to network simplification and managing consumer expectations for capacity.