Magyar Telekom (MTel) and Telenor Hungary have agreed to jointly operate and develop their respective 800MHz 4G networks in all parts of Hungary, excluding Budapest. Under the terms set out in the agreement, Telenor will gradually implement and operate the 800MHz network in the Transdanubian region, while Telekom will do the same in the rest of Hungary – except Budapest. The two operators will each install and manage 800 base transceiver stations (BTS) by the end of 2015.
According to Telenor, the move will double mobile broadband speeds and allow for quicker deployments in underserved areas. As a result of the cooperation, Telekom is expected to increase its nationwide outdoor 4G coverage to 97%, up from its previously announced 93% figure, while Telenor will achieve a nationwide outdoor 4G footprint of 95% by the end of 2015.
As previously reported by TeleGeography’s CommsUpdate, in September 2014 MTel bought spectrum in the 800MHz, 900MHz, 1800MHz and 2600MHz bands for HUF58.65 billion (USD218.2 million) while Telenor won frequencies in the 800MHz/900MHz/2600MHz bands, paying HUF31.73 billion.