OPT-NC sets out plans for 4G launch

State-owned operator the Office des Postes et Telecommunications de Nouvelle-Caledonie (OPT-NC) is rolling out 4G base stations supported by a fibre-optic backbone network with a view to launching Long Term Evolution (LTE) services on 16 February 2015, Telecompaper writes. The operator has planned a three-phase rollout programme for the 4G network, which will ultimately consist of 150 sites, 75 of which will use 1800MHz spectrum, 74 the 800MHz band and one, in Noumea, will utilise 2600MHz frequencies. At launch the network will have 55 base stations in operation, whilst the second and third phases, in 2015 and 2016 respectively, will add 57 and 38 new sites. OPT-NC has warned that the network may cause some interference with TV services, and is offering to reimburse customers who have to change their TV aerial. To mitigate the disruption, however, the operator has said it will not use the 800MHz band for 4G in the capital, Noumea.