Tele2 prepares to roll 5G in Latvia, auctions conducted in 2022

Tele2 AB secured 5G frequencies in the Latvian 700 megahertz spectrum auction for $2.7 million, the telco said Thursday.

“Tele2 has won 2×10 MHz in the first part of the Latvian 700 MHz spectrum auction. Combined with the previously acquired 5G spectrum in the 3.5 GHz band in Latvia, Tele2 now has everything in place to commence the rollout of nationwide 5G and improved 4G. In Estonia and Lithuania, both high and low frequency 5G auctions are expected to be conducted during 2022,” it said.

As such, the 5G rollout will be done on a standalone basis as the previously announced network sharing agreement with Bite did not get full regulatory approval, according to a statement from the European telecommunications operator.

The Sweden-based telecom company said that combined with previously acquired 5G spectrum in the 3.5 gigahertz band in Latvia, and it can now commence the rollout of nationwide 5G and upgraded 4G.

In addition, the plan of rolling out the fifth-generation technology in the Baltics includes the existing 4G networks to be significantly upgraded, with increased speeds and capacity combined with improved coverage in each country.

It is worth mentioning that Tele2 and Bite previously partnered to investigate a shared mobile network and spectrum set up in Latvia and Lithuania. However, since the partnership only received partial regulatory approval, the two companies have decided to end the agreement.

Petras Masiulis, CEO Baltics at Tele2, said: “Having secured crucial spectrum in Latvia, we will start our network upgrade there. Our 5G networks will increase speeds and coverage while lowering latency for both consumers and businesses going forward, providing the next generation of infrastructure with futureproof capacity.”