Big hitters win 2.6GHz licences

TeliaSonera, Tele2, Telenor, Hi3G Access (3) and Intel have won mobile broadband (WiMAX/’4G’) licences for operating in the 2.6GHz frequency band in an auction run by the Swedish Post and Telecom Agency. The five companies shared a 190MHz block of ‘service-neutral’ spectrum, with national concessions valid for 15 years and not subject to any rollout obligations. TeliaSonera won 2×20MHz for SEK562.5 million (USD93.3 million), Tele2 received 2×20MHz for SEK 548.1 million, Telenor bought 2×20MHz for SEK533 million, 3 was awarded 2×10MHz for SEK296.6 million, and Intel acquired 50MHz (TDD) for SEK159.3 million. TeliaSonera said the licence will enable it to build a next generation ‘super-fast’" mobile broadband network, offering access speeds of above 100Mbps. ‘Above all, the 4G licence is important for our customers, who will have access to even faster mobile broadband in the future,’ said Hakan Dahlstrom, president of TeliaSonera Sweden’s Mobility Services division.