Denmark’s spectrum auctions have concluded with four operators winning space in the 2.5GHz spectrum. They will likely make Denmark an early test-bed for commercial LTE services, following Sweden and Norway where limited LTE services have already been launched.
The three operators who win both paired and unpaired spectrum (within the band structure according to ITU Option 1) will presumably deploy TD-LTE for unpaired operation (to accompany FDD-LTE in paired spectrum).
According to Telestyrelsen, the Danish regulator, 3 Denmark won the largest block comprising 2x10MHz paired and 25MHz unpaired spectrum in the 2.5GHz band. The operator – which is 60 percent-owned by Hong Kong-based Hutchison Whampoa with the remainder held by a Swedish investment group – is the country’s fourth-placed mobile player.
Market-leader TDC said last month that it is planning to launch LTE services in the country as early as June, making it only the second operator in the world to roll-out commercial LTE to date. It is reportedly planning to switch on Danish LTE networks initially in the major cities of Copenhagen and Aarhus. TeliaSonera was the first operator to launch commercial LTE service, in Stockholm (Sweden) and Oslo (Norway) in December, 2009, using the 2.6 GHz band.
TDC was awarded 2x20MHz paired spectrum, while Telenor Denmark and TeliaSonera’s local Danish arm (Telia Denmark) both received 2x20MHz paired and 10MHz unpaired spectrum.
A final round of bidding will allow the operators to name preferences for a specific position in the band. Following that allocation round, Telestyrelsen said it will announce the exact awards and prices for the licences.
TeliaSonera’s LTE network began commercial operation in Stockholm and Oslo in December 2009, and will continue to expand in 2010. TeliaSonera plans to offer LTE in the 25 largest municipalities in Sweden alongside the four largest municipalities in Norway. It uses the 2.6 GHz band and (two) 20 MHz wide channels, using FDD-LTE. TeliaSonera uses an LTE modem from Samsung for its networks in Stockholm and Oslo.
TeliaSonera’s LTE network began commercial operation in Stockholm and Oslo in December 2009.
Clearwire began commercial Mobile WiMAX operations in Baltimore Maryland, in October 2007.
Meanwhile, Clearwire revealed it has changed the terms of an agreement it had with Intel, that could lead the way for Clearwire to dump WiMAX and switch to LTE. The initial agreement had forced Clearwire to use WiMAX through November 28, 2011, but an executive on yesterday’s results call said either party can now exit the agreement with just 30 days notice.
Stacey Higginbotham notes that CFO Erik E. Prusch said the overall ecosystem for ‘4G’ was converging. In March the head of Clearwire called for greater integration between competing next-generation mobile standards WiMAX and LTE, suggesting that the company is keeping a very close eye on the momentum behind LTE.
WiMax supporters, like the WiMAX Forum, say WiMAX is unique due to its simpler architecture, ability to use unlicensed spectrum, and compatibility with 802.16m, the high speed variant, that provides download speeds in excess of 120 Mbps.
Related LTE stories on Dailywireless include; LTE-TDD & WiMAX: Two Peas in a Pod?, Indian 3g/4g Auction: Qualcomm Bidding TD-LTE, LTE Migration White Paper, LTE: Wait For ItBlowback on 2.6 GHz, LTE: Cox Cable Calling, LTE Phones to be Showcased at MWC, T-Mobile USA Merger? and Solutions Promoted for Voice over LTE.
