Vodafone | July 29, 2011 | Press Release
Vodafone Spain has been awarded a total of 60 MHz (2×30 MHz) of new spectrum in the Spanish government’s auction, enabling the Company to provide its customers with enhanced mobile internet services across the country, including in rural areas.
The spectrum award will support Vodafone Spain’s plans to develop the next generation of wireless data services, known as Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology. LTE transforms the customer experience of the mobile internet, offering high-speed data access and rich multimedia services. In developing LTE services, Vodafone Spain will draw on the experience of Vodafone Germany, which launched LTE towards the end of 2010.
Vodafone Spain bid successfully for a total of 20 MHz (2×10 MHz) in the 800 MHz band and 40 MHz (2x20MHz) in 2.6 GHz band for a total consideration of €518 million (£454 million1). The 800 MHz ‘digital dividend’ spectrum will become available in 2014 after the switchover from analogue to all-digital TV broadcasting in Spain. The 2.6 GHz spectrum band is immediately available for use.
Additionally, Vodafone Spain will began offer 3G mobile internet access to customers in rural areas by the end of 2011 after receiving approval from the Spanish government to re-farm spectrum in the 900 MHz frequency band currently used for 2G services. The Company has already begun to deploy versatile single Radio Access Network (RAN) base stations designed to handle 2G, 3G and LTE technologies on a common shared platform.
The additional spectrum and ongoing network investments will enable Vodafone Spain to build on its success in delivering the mobile internet to its customers. Over the last financial year, Vodafone Spain saw strong growth in the uptake of smartphones and mobile internet services, helping to boost data revenue growth (excluding content revenue) by around 22%.
