TeliaSonera’s LTE service is set to soon offer backward compatibility to HSPA and EDGE services. In a statement this week the Nordic operator said it has “secured deliveries from Samsung for [large volumes of] LTE modems with support for 3G and 2G during the second quarter 2010.” TeliaSonera launched the world’s first commercial LTE networks in Sweden and Norway at the end of last year, but the initial Samsung dongle (pictured) only supported LTE, meaning users were confined to areas where the next-generation technology was available when using mobile broadband services. At the time of network launch the operator promised an updated version of the dongle in the first half of 2010, so it is set to deliver on its promise as long as it can distribute the devices by then.

Last week Mobile Business Briefing exclusively reported on the performance of TeliaSonera’s LTE services. Read the full story here. The network will be extended to 25 of Sweden’s “largest municipalities and recreation areas” by the end of this year, as well as Norway’s “four largest municipalities.” Ericsson and Nokia Siemens Networks will supply radio access network (base station) kit for LTE buildout in Sweden and Norway, whilst Ericsson has won a sole supplier core network deal in both countries.