It's top of many people's mobile wishlists: those much-talked about 4G next-gen networking speeds that are starting to take hold over in the US? So what is Nokia's position on 4G technology LTE's uptake here in Europe? We catch up on the latest.

First, a quick explanation: what exactly is 4G? Well, the answer largely depends on who you listen to. In broad terms, it means simply the fourth generation of wireless standards, which deliver significantly faster networking speeds than currently dominant 3G networks.

There are a few standards around, including HSPA+, WiMAX and of course LTE, and that's the standard that's starting to gain ground in Europe.

We say starting, as like one of the other mobile hot potatoes doing the rounds right now – Near Field Communication – LTE requires a few components to come together before it truly takes off effectively.

Of course, you need the network infrastructure, which requires both equipment that can carry the 4G signal and mobile networks to provide services across that equipment. And then you need mobile phone makers to actually produce smartphones capable of running on those higher-speed networks.

Nokia has had a hand throughout LTE's development thanks to the acquisition of Siemens back in 2006. Siemens was involved in the first live demonstration of an LTE network in operation, and Nokia Siemens Networks has continued to play a leading role in the evolution of LTE software across Europe.

Just last year it won a huge $7bn contract to build and maintain the LightSquared LTE network over in the US, which will cover 92 per cent of the country by 2015.

This shows how deeply committed Nokia is as a wider corporation to the success of LTE, and you can bet that commitment will be backed up by a full range of great LTE-compatible Nokia smartphones once 4G networks go beyond the trial phase here in the UK and Europe.

The move to work with US-based Microsoft, along with the multi-billion dollar deal to build the infrastructure in the States means there should be plenty of momentum to get LTE off the ground over there, which will put Nokia in pole position to tap into high-speed mobile networking across the globe.

Are you excited about 4G networking, and the possibilities it opens up? Let us know your thoughts in the Comments below.