STOCKHOLM, Sweden-Orange SA has requested from the Swedish telecom regulator a three-year extension for building out its third-generation network in Sweden. Sweden’s 3G license conditions include having an operational network by the end of 2003.
Orange would like to delay its rollout until the end of 2006 and reduce its coverage requirement from the current 8.86 million population requirement to 8.3 million people.
Orange is one of four 3G license holders in Sweden and does not have a current-generation network in the Nordic country. Tele2, Vodafone and Hi3G, a subsidiary of Hutchison Whampoa Ltd., also own Swedish 3G licenses. Telia AB, which did not win a license in the country, partnered with Tele2 to roll out a joint 3G network.
The news comes just more than a week after Telefonica Moviles and Sonera Corp. terminated their joint 3G plans in Germany.
