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Finland Awards New Spectrum
(28 Apr 2009, BWCS Staff)The Finnish government has, as expected, awarded additional spectrum in the 1800MHz band to three mobile operators. The successful applicants: TeliaSonera, Elisa and DNA will use the new spectrum to provide 4G mobile services and say they will be the first companies in Europe to use LTE technology at such low frequencies. According to press reports, the operators have pledged to use the spectrum to make high-speed mobile networks more widely available in all parts of Finland, offering 4G services in rural areas.
Last month, in near-by Sweden, the PTS approved new applications for the use of frequencies in the 900MHz range. The five domestic mobile operators Tele2, 3, Swefour, Telenor and TeliaSonera will now be able to bring in new mobile broadband services in that band, while at the same time continuing to offer GSM mobile telephone services. The PTS also granted a new GSM licence to 3. The existing GSM licences in this range are due to expire at the end of 2010.
Meanwhile in the UK, T-Mobile and O2 are arguing that the 900MHz band should be re-distributed. The two operators are currently trying to block moves by the regulator Ofcom to auction spectrum in the 2.6GHz range. They want that decision held until conclusions have been reached on what's to happen to the second generation bands, the 900MHz blocks of spectrum used by O2 and Vodafone, and the 1800MHz range used by Orange and T-Mobile. The two operators argue that these bands should be reallocated to allow more efficient use of the spectrum.
Finland plans to follow the recent spectrum award with a tender in November for licences in the 2.5GHz - 2.7GHz frequency range. The regulator says that the new franchises will enable the holders to offer wireless broadband services across Finland. The licences will last for up to 20 years and companies will be allowed to trade them or lease the user rights to a third party if they so wish.
In total, the Helsinki administration says it will auction off 14 pairs of 5MHz chunks in the 2,500MHz - 2,750MHz and 2,620MHz - 2,690MHz range. The government has put a restriction on the size of the blocks held by individual companies and will not allow any one entity to hold more than 50MHz block of spectrum. The regulator is clearly determined to avoid a monopoly situation and is keen to attract at least four different operators to the market
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