LG Telecom, a South Korean CDMA service provider announced its plan to launch a 4G service in 2013 when the carrier will obtain a low-frequency band.
With the Korean government planning to reallocate frequencies next year, LGT hopes to get a low-frequency band such as 800MHz and 900MHz and start investment for a nationwide 4G service which is 3 to 6 times faster in data transmission than 3G. Presently, the company has a spectrum (of a 20MHz bandwidth for both uplink and downlink) in the 1.8GHz band, but additional frequency allocation is necessary from 2011 to cope with increasing subscribers and rising demands for its data service, OZ.
The Korea Communications Commission will take the spectrum in the 800 MHz band from SK Telecom in June 2011. Before the return of the spectrum, the KCC will redistribute it among carriers so that they can establish the network for about 2 years. Of 50MHz frequencies in the 800MHz band that presently belongs to SK Telecom, KTF and LGT can get 10 to 20 MHz frequencies. The two carriers have to divide the spectrum or compete with each other at an auction.
As soon as LGT obtains the low-frequency band, it will choose the most appropriate 4G technology and draw up an investment plan. The choice will be made according to the criteria such as price, security of terminal procurement and roaming convenience. As of now, LTE is more prospective than Mobile WiMAX.
LG Telecom says network equipment to be installed from next year will have a multimode structure that supports a variety of handsets and technologies ranging from 2G to 4G, which will advance the completion of the nationwide 4G network.
Comments