Tele2 and Nokia to build 5G radio access network

Tele2 AB Group has selected Nokia as the supplier to install a 5G radio access network (RAN) in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. The two companies will build the next generation of connectivity infrastructure in the Baltic countries, which will increase mobile internet speeds and improve coverage for individuals and businesses, as well as reduce latency and reliability.

Tele2 announced its cooperation with Nokia to build a 5G core network in January 2021. The company is now extending its partnership with Nokia by signing an agreement to install 5G RAN in the Baltics, while also starting the roll-out of Tele2’s 5G network in each country as soon as the necessary frequency spectrum becomes available.

“We have a strong and reliable partner to implement the 5G network roll-out in the Baltics and together ensure the significant development of mobile internet in every country.  “Nokia has been an excellent partner for us in the deployment of previous generations of mobile technology and we look forward to continuing this partnership in the future,” said Petras Masiulis, CEO of Tele2 in the Baltics.

Tele2 plans to install several hundred 5G base stations across Latvia by 2022, Labs of Latvia wrote. The company expects to build a 5G network that will be available to 99% of Latvia’s population within the next three years.

During the rollout of the 5G network in the Baltic countries, Tele2’s existing 4G networks will also be significantly upgraded, providing higher mobile internet speeds and capacity in each country, as well as broader coverage, the company said.

Rights to Use Radio Frequency Bands Auctioned

At the end of 2021, three mobile operators, SIA Tele2, SIA Latvijas Mobilais telefons, and SIA Bite Latvija, won the right to use the radio frequency bands used for 5G network deployment in an auction organized by the Public Utilities Commission, Labs of Latvia wrote.

Three mobile operators were awarded the right to use three core bands:

• SIA Tele2 acquired the 703-713 MHz and 758-768 MHz bands for 2.42 million euros,
• SIA Latvijas Mobilais telefons acquired the 713-723 MHz and 768-778MHz bands for 3.52 million euros,
• SIA Bite Latvija acquired the 723-733 MHz and 778-788 MHz bands for 2.86 million euros.
   

Rights of use for two additional bands were also auctioned. Two additional bands were acquired by two mobile operators:

• SIA Tele2 won the 738-748 MHz band for 2.24 million euros,
• SIA Latvijas Mobilais telefons won the 748-758 MHz band for 2.24 million euros.
• For Faster 5g Network Development

Technical Director of Tele2 Līga Krūmiņa explained that the spectrum bands acquired in the auction are an essential prerequisite for the development of 5G mobile network coverage throughout Latvia. The 700 MHz band has the advantage of providing wider coverage for smart devices on the move, as well as the ability to reach indoor IoT devices more widely.

“We plan to install several hundred 5G base stations across the country next year, and within the next three years to build a 5G network that will be available to 99% of the Latvian population,” adds Krūmiņa.

Tele2 will independently develop the 5G network, as the previously planned cooperation and the announced network sharing agreement with Bite Latvija did not receive full approval from the Public Utilities Commission. Tele2 and Bite Latvija had entered into a partnership to assess the possibilities of sharing mobile infrastructure in Latvia and Lithuania. This partnership received only partial approval from the PUC, so the two companies decided to terminate their cooperation.

Paving the Way for Innovation

Bite plans to invest more than 70 million euros over the next three years, building several hundred 5G base stations in Riga and major Latvian cities.

“It’s no secret that the ICT and telecoms sectors are the ones paving the way for innovation, which is ultimately the magnet for investment and the driver of development. Therefore, 5G infrastructure will be vital during the economic restart, which is where Bite will focus in the future,” said Kaspars Buls, CEO of Bite.

The company will launch a standalone 5G network on this frequency in 2022.

LMT Already Has 100 5G Base Stations in Its Network

Latvian mobile operator and technology innovator LMT has installed its 100th 5G base station in Saldus in early December, wrote Labs of Latvia. LMT President Juris Binde said that the targeted construction of a 5G network in all regions of Latvia is an important step not only to ensure high-quality services that are in line with the growing data traffic volumes but also to promote business and industry development in Latvia’s regions.

“5G will be one of the main drivers of economic development in the future. It opens up opportunities for companies in a wide range of industries to implement automated solutions in their daily operations, improve efficiency and save resources, and by expanding the availability of the 5G data network we can directly contribute to the growth of the Latvian economy,” said Binde.

In May, 5G internet routers created in cooperation between LMT and MikroTik were delivered to the first customers, wrote Labs of Latvia.

LMT is joining forces with Santa Monica Networks to deploy fifth-generation network solutions faster and more efficiently, Labs of Latvia reported. The Latvian and Lithuanian Competition Councils have approved a deal in which LMT acquired the Baltic data networking and information technology security solutions group Santa Monica Networks from Livonia Partners. LMT has thus become a 100% shareholder in Santa Monica Networks. The companies will continue to operate as separate legal entities.

Source: labsoflatvia.com