Swedish operators Telia and Tele2 have announced the launch of 5G commercial networks in the country
Swedish operators Telia and Tele2 have announced the launch of 5G commercial networks in the country.
Tele2 switched on 5G networks in Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmo on May 24, using 80MHz of the 3.6 GHz spectrum band. The operator said that customers with a Tele2 Unlimited subscription and a 5G compatible mobile phone from Samsung’s Galaxy S20 series will get free access to the new network from 24 June 2020. Tele2 added that customers can expect speeds surpassing 1 Gbit/s from start.
Telia Sweden announced its 5G network is active through 15 base stations in Stockholm, using its existing 700MHz spectrum, boosted by LTE and New Radio carrier aggregation. Telia added that by the end of the year, it expects to expand coverage to a further twelve cities, including Gothenburg and Malmo. The operator is working with local partner Ericsson, which confirmed it is providing radio access network products and solutions. Certified by the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation (Naturskyddsföreningen), the 5G network is powered by 100 % renewable energy.
Three Sweden, said it will launch 5G in Malmö, Lund, Helsingborg, Västerås, Uppsala and more areas of Stockholm in June. Telenor Sweden announced plans on its website to launch 5G services by the end of 2020.
The government postponed the auction of 2.3GHz and 3.5GHz spectrum for 5G services earlier this year but the Swedish Post and Telecom Agency announced it expects the sale to go ahead in November. PTS plans to award up to 15 national licenses for 80 MHz in the 2.3 GHz band and 320 MHz at 3400 – 3720 MHz. Each 10 MHz block in the 2.3 GHz band would have a minimum price of 20 million SEK (1.9 million EUR), and each 20 MHz block at 3.5 GHz would be sold for at least 100 million SEK (9.5 million EUR). It also proposes to make the 3720 – 3800 MHz band available on a local basis.
