TRC raises Rs. 3.28 b from LTE mobile spectrum auction

• Industry giant Dialog pips Mobitel and Etisalat for 10 MHz of paired LTE radio spectrum; TRC to allow other operators to share the spectrum

The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRCSL) has raised Rs. 3.28 billion by auctioning the LTE (long-term evolution) mobile spectrum or 4G, with industry giant Dialog Axiata winning the bid beating Mobitel and Etisalat.

The LTE spectrum tender process for the assignment of the Radio Frequency Spectrum slot (2x10 MHz) in the 1800 MHz band for the deployment of mobile LTE in the country was concluded yesterday.

TRC said three operators – Dialog Axiata, Mobitel and Etisalat – made a big for the 10 MHz of paired LTE radio spectrum.   “The successful bidder was Dialog Axiata Plc. We raised Rs. 3.28 billion from the sale of LTE mobile spectrum. This sum was higher than expected,” TRCSL Director General Anusha Palpita said yesterday.

“It is the highest bid value recorded in the history of spectrum trading in Sri Lanka. The floor price was set at Rs. 800 million. In 2002, TRC had earned Rs. 200 million through the 1800 MHz spectrum trading,” he added.

According to TRC, only 10 MHz in the 1800 MHz band is available for LTE mobile applications, whereas the rest of the spectrum has already been assigned among the mobile operators for 2G applications.

“TRC will allow other mobile operators to share the LTE spectrum assigned to Dialog Axiata in order to fulfil the policy objective of achieving a level-playing field for the provision of LTE services,” Palpita said.

He said LTE deployment will usher the country into a new era of advanced wireless services, including fast, high-capacity mobile broadband with widespread coverage. This is suitable for rolling out new high speed mobile broadband services to consumers and to small and large businesses across Sri Lanka.

“We believe LTE technology will not only provide innovative experience to users, but also act as a major catalyst for social and economic development, increasing productivity in the country and improving the quality of life of the people of Sri Lanka,” TRC DG Palpita added.