- Entel and Ericsson have completed Latin America's first data session on the APT700 spectrum
- Entel expects to deploy its nationwide 4G LTE network in APT700 spectrum in 2015
- Subscribers will be able to enjoy excellent in-building coverage as well as wide rural 4G LTE coverage
- The APT700 band is a globally standardized band for LTE and has the potential to serve over 2.1 billion people
Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) successfully supported Entel, Chile's leading telecommunications operator, in testing the APT700 (Asia-Pacific Telecommunity 700MHz) spectrum. This marks another important milestone in the long-standing partnership between the two companies, as well as in the introduction of new low-band LTE frequencies and the development of the LTE ecosystem.
The trial was conducted by enabling 10 test sites with equipment using APT700 MHz frequency band on Entel's live 4G LTE network in Rancagua city, which is located 85 km south of Santiago de Chile.
Antonio Büchi, CEO, Entel, said: "The APT700 band has the ability to provide excellent in-building coverage as well as wide area coverage in suburban and rural areas. We expect, once we have the release by the government, to deploy our nationwide network. Our customers will benefit from an LTE mobile broadband service featuring a combination of high speed, improved throughput and low latency, all of which combine to provide an enhanced user experience."
"This test marks another significant milestone for Ericsson and Entel, and further consolidates our network leadership in the region. This is the latest in a number of successful technology trials undertaken with Entel aimed at readying the operator's network for the release of the APT700 digital dividend," says Nicolas Brancoli, Vice President of Ericsson Latin America.
"Ericsson has led the development and championed widespread acceptance of the APT700 band, creating a global LTE ecosystem opportunity that benefits both consumers and operators," Brancoli added.
In February 2014, the Chilean government completed its LTE spectrum auction and Entel was awarded one of three licenses on the APT700 frequency.
Ericsson drives global standards to achieve economies of scale for the entire telecommunications industry - network infrastructure, devices, and ultimately operators and consumers, thereby maximizing the success and uptake of new bands in global markets.
NOTES TO EDITORS
APT700 paper tracks global LTE band (http://www.ericsson.com/news/130923-apt700-paper-tracks-global-lte-band_244129227_c?query=APT700)
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Source: Ericsson via Globenewswire
