MetroPCS, the US-based prepaid mobile network operator, plans to launch a next generation 4G mobile network based on Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology made by Sweden’s Ericsson late next year.

“We anticipate to begin offering our 4G LTE services and a dual-mode LTE/CDMA smartphone in our major metropolitan markets in late 2010,” said Roger Linquist, MetroPCS chief executive.