Samsung picked as LTE equipment supplier

Samsung Electronics Co., the world's second-largest mobile phone maker, said Monday that it was selected to provide fourth generation (4G) communications equipment to KDDI Corp. KDDI, Japan's No. 2 mobile operator, is scheduled to start commercial service of long-term evolution (LTE) technology next year, Samsung said in a statement. The company did not disclose the financial value of the deal. Global mobile operators are preparing to launch new mobile technologies allowing wireless data transmission at faster speeds as data-guzzling smartphones and tablets are forecast to see bigger demand. Samsung, which provides LTE equipment to wireless carriers in the U.S. and in the Middle East, said that it is working to offer commercial LTE services to eight mobile operators around the world.