Telecom Italia Mobile (TIM) has announced a new milestone in high-speed mobile connectivity, achieving download speeds of up to 1 Gbps on its live 4.5G network. The operator describes the test as proof of its technological leadership and a stepping stone toward full 5G deployment, promising enhanced performance and superior mobile data quality for customers.
TIM said the tested service will be offered commercially starting in September in Milan and Turin, with plans to expand to other major Italian cities afterward. The trial used an ASUS smartphone equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 platform and its integrated LTE X16 modem, together with Ericsson’s LTE-licensed Assisted Access network technology.
In a company statement, TIM framed the trial as part of a broader transformation focused on technological excellence, fixed-mobile convergence, exclusive content and entertainment services, and a stronger emphasis on customer experience.
Similar demonstrations of gigabit-class LTE have been reported elsewhere: ZTE and China Mobile, working with Qualcomm, recently tested a TD-LTE network in Quanzhou that reached peak speeds of 1 Gbps, and Samsung has announced LTE modem technology capable of maximum downlink speeds of 1.2 Gbps. These developments illustrate a growing industry push toward gigabit-capable mobile networks.
“Gigabit LTE” refers to LTE network configurations that can deliver peak throughput around one gigabit per second. The technical foundations for gigabit LTE were specified in 3GPP Release 12 (which concluded in March 2015). Gigabit performance is achieved through a combination of advanced modem capabilities, carrier aggregation, higher-order modulation, and improved antenna and network technologies, enabling maximum theoretical throughputs in the neighborhood of 1000 Mbps.
It’s important to note that gigabit LTE is an evolution of existing LTE technology rather than a part of the emerging 5G standard itself. However, industry commentators and vendors often position gigabit LTE as a key transitional technology on the path to 5G. Marketing messages may sometimes blur the lines—operators could promote gigabit LTE as “5G-like” performance—similar to how earlier generations of mobile technology were marketed.
Industry analysts and chipset vendors emphasize that gigabit LTE will play a crucial role in introducing the kinds of speeds and multi-connectivity that 5G aims to provide. Qualcomm has stated that 5G deployments will rely on ubiquitous gigabit speeds and simultaneous connectivity across 5G NR (New Radio), LTE, and Wi‑Fi to deliver a seamless user experience.
Qualcomm executives have argued that Gigabit LTE and 5G are tightly connected: gigabit LTE technologies, many developed by Qualcomm, are already delivering faster and more reliable mobile broadband across wide areas today, while commercial 5G rollouts are expected to begin later. Because it will take time for 5G coverage to reach the same breadth as current LTE networks, gigabit LTE serves as a practical foundation—bringing immediate user benefits now and smoothing the migration path to full 5G in the years ahead.