Chilean wireless operators have begun to name vendors for their upcoming LTE launches. América Móvil’s Chilean unit, Claro, and Telefónica’s local wireless operator, Movistar, have chosen Nokia Siemens Networks. The Chilean Empresa Nacional de Telecomunicaciones (Entel) has tapped Ericsson to deploy this new generation of telecommunications.
In July, Chile’s Secretary of Telecommunications (Subtel) announced that carriers paid about $12.26 million to buy licenses to deploy LTE in the country. Subtel made 120 megahertz in the 2.6 GHz band available for bidding. Claro, Movistar and Entel were granted the right to deploy LTE in Chile. Subtel expects them to invest more than $233.45 million combined.
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According to the rules set by Subtel, the telecom operators have 12 months starting from when the LTE licenses were awarded in July to deploy their networks.
Claro is expected to launch LTE services within the next few weeks, according to the company’s fourth quarter 2012 report. In November, Claro Chile was conducting trials using LTE technology with the goal of launching services during the first quarter of 2013. Claro tested the technology in Ciudad Empresarial in partnership with NSN. For the trials, Claro used Motorola’s Razr HD smartphone, and routers and modems from LG.
In addition to NSN, Claro tapped Amdocs to enable quad-play—mobile, landline, Internet and cable TV and LTE offerings. Claro will consolidate its business and operational support systems (BSS/OSS) to speed delivery of new services, realize greater operational efficiencies and provide an enhanced experience for all of its customers.
Movistar, the Chilean unit of the Spanish Telefónica, said that NSN is implementing its LTE network operating in the 2.6 GHz frequency band. The contract covers the greater area of the capital, Santiago, which has close to six million inhabitants as well as other cities such as ValparaÃso and Viña del Mar.
NSN is also expanding Movistar’s 3G network to meet the ever-increasing capacity needs of its mobile broadband customers. The Movistar contract is a continuation of NSN’s work with Telefónica around the world. In 2011, the company signed an LTE contract with Telefónica (O2) in Germany, and in 2012 with Telefónica (O2) in the United Kingdom.
Entel, chose Ericsson to deploy its LTE network. This is part of a strategic alliance the two companies have renewed.
Even before securing spectrum, Entel conducted LTE trials, using its 100 megahertz of spectrum in the 3.5 GHz band. The primary focus was on small and medium enterprises with the aim of complementing Internet broadband services provided by ADSL and fiber networks.
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