France launches LTE service test platform in Brest

French industry and digital economy minister Eric Besson has announced the launch of ImaginLab, the country's first 4G (LTE) services testing platform, Relaxnews reports. The network will cover a large part of the city, the port and around 20 km out to sea. Around 100 users will test the platform. Services envisioned include cloud storage for multimedia documents, voice over IP HD, videotelephony, mobile HD TV, location-based services, networked games, etc. France's four mobile network operators are expected to launch services commercially before the end of 2012. The test platform in Brest is being handled by technology node Image & Reseaux with EUR 3 million in central government funding.