Deutsche Telekom this week detailed its global mobile broadband rollout strategy, indicating that as with its existing US operation, it will use the “4G” label for HSPA+ rollouts – and with Wi-Fi also featuring prominently in the mix. It stated that its intention is to offer “mobile internet at DSL speed in any location on any device.”

In a statement, Edward Kozel, Chief Technology and Innovation Officer of the company, noted: “the key feature of the 4G experience is that our customers will always automatically be able to use the fastest connection currently available, on state-of-the-art, high-performance, intuitive devices. It won’t matter whether this connection is based on Wi-Fi, LTE or HSPA+.”

The company said that “large portions” of its US network have already been upgraded to deliver speeds of 21Mb/s, which will be increased to 42Mb/s later this year. It was also noted that “the bandwidth available to customers in Europe is being massively increased”: HSPA+ is already available in six European markets, with a further four upgrading later this year. 3G capacity is also being expanded in metropolitan areas, where usage is especially high.

Deutsche Telekom is also in the process of rolling out LTE in Germany, having connected 1,000 areas during 2010, and with 1,500 additional markets to follow in 2011. In line with German regulatory requirements, it has initially focused on providing coverage to under-served markets. With regard to Wi-Fi, the company says it is “currently in negotiations with potential partners to significantly enlarge its Wi-Fi hotspot networks” – this includes France Telecom/Orange, with whom DT is “jointly exploring solutions for improving their customers` WiFi experience and roaming conditions on each other’s WiFi network.”  It described Wi-Fi as “an important part of the 4G user experience.”

At Congress, the company also announced updates to its device portfolio, including Samsung’s recently announced Galaxy S II smartphone and Motorola’s Xoom tablet. Also announced was Huawei’s E398 USB dongle, which was described as “the first mobile LTE device that operates on the 800MHz and the 1.8/2.6GHz band.”

It also announced several new value-added services. The company will launch its Mobile Wallet service in 2011, enabling customers to buy goods and services from their handsets, enabled by NFC contactless commerce technology – DT noted that “the area of payment systems is an important growth driver for Deutsche Telekom and the company will continue to expand it internationally.” It is also set to augment its mobile advertising proposition with “further, new formats and channels” which will be delivered this year, and T-Mobile USA will also launch its first offerings in 2011.