Three UK has selected Samsung to deliver its LTE network.

Samsung will deploy LTE base stations, including all associated systems and network support services, across Three’s UK-wide network.

The deployment will be trialled this year with a commercial roll out penciled in for 2013. 

“Three’s customers will start benefitting from this investment in our core network early next year and those benefits will grow further as we deploy new spectrum,” said, Three UK CEO Dave Dyson.

The mobile operator is currently in discussions with rival Everything Everywhere about purchasing some if its spectrum.

Last week, EE was given permission to use its existing 1800MHz spectrum to roll out LTE services from September.

Despite one in four LTE connections globally being brokered through Samsung’s LTE infrastructure, this deal marks the company's first commercial mobile network roll-out in Europe.

“Three UK will be the first of many European operators to benefit from this wealth of experience,” said Mark Thompson, sales and marketing director of Samsung’s European Network Operations (ENO) division.

ENO was established in 2011 as the centre of Samsung’s 4G business in the region.

The South-Korea based company, which last week lost a crucial patent battle with Apple in the US, said it will “significantly accelerate” its investment and business footprint in Europe.