Tele2 already operates limited LTE-450 network in 2 regions
Russian mobile operator Tele2 Russia announced the launch of a new LTE-450 network to provide services in St Petersburg. The telco also announced it will roll out LTE-450 technology in Moscow in July, following its previously launched, small-scale LTE-450 network at the end of May in the Tver and Novgorod regions.
Tele2 is rolling out LTE-450 technology under a strategy to expand its existing 4G LTE coverage in frequency bands including 800 MHz, 1800 MHz and 2.3 GHz. The 450 megahertz frequencies were formerly held by CDMA-450 provider SkyLink, a subsidiary of Rostelecom, which began LTE-450 tests in late 2013.
In August 2014, all mobile spectrum licenses allocated to Rostelecom were transferred to the newly restructured Tele2 Russia, which is 45%-owned by state-controlled Rostelecom.
At the end of last year, Tele2 Russia had a total of 37.3 million subscribers across the country. The telco currently operates in 65 Russian regions and offers high-speed wireless internet in 61 regions.
Orange completes new acquisition in Africa
In other EMEA news, French telecom group Orange completed the acquisition of mobile operator Airtel in Burkina Faso, which was fully controlled by Indian telecommunications firm Bharti Airtel.
Orange did not reveal financial details of the transaction. With this acquisition, the French operator adds 4.6 million mobile subscribers to its African operation.
Airtel has deployed its 3.75G network in more than 100 towns across the African nation for the provision of mobile internet services. Orange said that Airtel currently provides mobile financial services in Burkina Faso, which are already interoperable with Orange Money in neighboring countries allowing international transfers to be made.
Orange has a presence in 28 markets in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. The group has a total base of 252 million customers worldwide as of the end of March, including 191 million mobile customers and 18 million fixed broadband customers.
