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Articles & publications
18.06.2010
Rostelecom speaks out against LTE, but could launch its commercial network in 2011RBC daily, Anton Bursak
Rostelecom plans in the summer of 2010 to roll out several test LTE zones in regions of the Russian Federation where it holds licenses to provide wireless cellular Internet access in the 2.3-2.4 GHz frequency range. The network could be launched for commercial operation in 2011 if the issue is resolved concerning the technological neutrality of the licenses.
“We’ve reached the decision to build several pilot zones in a number of regions. These will be platforms where the manufacturers of the respective equipment will be able to show their achievements and capabilities”, the general director of Rostelecom Anton Kolpakov told RBC news agency.
According to the top managers, the test zones are expected to be rolled out in Tambov, Penza, Pyatigorsk and a number of other cities. Mr. Kolpakov pointed out that they will be experimental and not commercial zones, which means they can be rolled out quite quickly. However, there are a number of factors that could roll back the launch of these platforms. Above all, the timeline for importing equipment could play a major role. To date, the plan is to use foreign-made equipment. “So far, we intend to examine prototypes, solutions and then at a later time when we select one or another solution, we will work out with vendors the issue of localizing production in the Russian Federation”, the general director of Rostelecom pointed out.
Earlier in an interview with RBC Daily Anton Kolpakov said that according to the license terms, the commercial launch of networks in the range of 2.3-2.4 GHz should performed by the end of 2011. Mr. Kolpakov pointed out that he regards LET technology as more promising than WiMAX, and Rostelecom is hopeful it will succeed in rolling out precisely LTE networks.
Aside from Rostelecom, the Big-3 cellular operators, discounter Tele2 and WiMAX operator Skartel have voiced their intention to roll out LTE networks in Russia. In addition, the subsidiary of the Ministry of Defense Voentelecom is a contender for the 2.3-2.4 GHz frequency range. Skartel announced its plans to launch its LTE networks into commercial operation in 2010. However, the Telecommunications Ministry has cautioned the operator. The deputy head of Roscomnadzor, the telecom industry regulatory authority, Alexander Katulevsky told journalists that the licenses issue to Rostelcom and Skartel contain the characteristics of radio-electronic equipment, which presupposes the use of WiMAX, whereas LTE equipment does not comply with these conditions.
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