VimpelCom builds central Asia's third LTE network
Works with Alcatel-Lucent on commercial trial in 700MHz spectrum
Published: 26 October, 2010
READ MORE: Kazakhstan | VimpelCom | LTE
Central Asia has proved a rather unlikely hotbed of early LTE, with the former Soviet states in the region vying with mobile-centric Scandinavia for the title of LTE leadership region. In addition to two live LTE networks in the main cities of Uzbekistan, neighboring Kazakhstan now has a live LTE trial in 700MHz, the band Verizon will use for its 4G launch in the US.
Russian operator VimpelCom is conducting the trial, working with Alcatel-Lucent. Its project highlights how multinational cellcos are testing the new technology outside their heartland territories, partly to avoid making early blunders in their most important markets, but also because these less developed regions offer an immediate business model in the shape of fixed broadband. "Kazakhstan's experience will be used for 4G implementation in other areas where VimpelCom is present," said the carrier's VP Dmitry Kromsky in a statement.
The Uzbekistan networks are run by VimpelCom's Russian rival MTS, and by UCell, a subsidiary of TeliaSonera (which, of course, has deployed LTE in core territories, notably Sweden and Norway). MTS uses Huawei kit while UCell has turned to ZTE.
The new Kazakh network will cover the central districts of Amalty, the business capital of the country. VimpelCom, which operates mobile services in the country under the Beeline brand, has been testing LTE there since spring and has now moved to the commercial test stage. It said the choice of 700MHz would "ensure the maximum coverage more efficiently", and is looking ahead to services such as HD video, music and multiplayer gaming.
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