SmarTone-Vodafone Confirms LTE Network Upgrade Intent January 28, 2009
Posted by aikservices in Asia, Hong Kong, LTE, SmarTone-Vodafone, WiMAX.Tags: Asia, Hong Kong, LTE, SmarTone-Vodafone, WiMAX
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Hong Kong’s SmarTone-Vodafone has announced that it plans to migrate its network towards an LTE platform after it withdrew from last weeks WiMAX license auction. The operator said that it decided not to persue the WiMAX option after the cost of the license started to exceed the cost of deploying the LTE upgrade.SmarTone-Vodafone said that its maximum bid price for the WiMAX license was based on the incremental value attributable to implementing LTE with the new spectrum, and the savings made upon return of existing excess spectrum to the government. As bidding for the new spectrum went beyond this maximum bid value, SmarTone-Vodafone chose instead to implement LTE on its existing spectrum.
We will re-use part of our existing spectrum to implement LTE. This provides the greatest flexibility and the most efficient way to meet market demand for LTE as and when required, as well as maximising value for our shareholders and customers. said Mr. Douglas Li, CEO of SmarTone-Vodafone.
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