Hungarian triple-play cable network operator Digi is preparing to launch in the mobile voice and data market via its own 4G LTE network in the spring of 2017, reports Hungarian newspaper Vilaggazdasag. The Romanian-owned company won a 20-year 1800MHz band LTE-suitable network operating licence in September 2014 in an auction held by Hungary’s National Media & Infocommunications Authority (Nemzeti Media- es Hirkozlesi Hatosag, NMHH). Digi currently augments its fixed broadband, telephony and pay-TV services with a data-only MVNO-based service (‘DIGI Net Mobil’) offered over the Telenor Hungary network, GlobalComms adds. The Vilaggazdasag report says that Digi is significantly ramping up its cellular infrastructure rollout in the lead-up to the full mobile voice/data launch next year, whilst it was confirmed that Digi has made a request to larger operator Magyar Telekom to share cell site capacity under the NMHH’s regulatory framework designed to facilitate network sharing, although negotiations with other operators may also be ongoing. TeleGeography notes that Digi Hungary has eschewed the MVNO-based voice/data strategy of cableco rival UPC Hungary, and is instead aiming to emulate its Romanian parent RCS&RDS, which successfully introduced quadruple-play fixed/mobile services nationally over its own networks with an aggressive low pricing strategy. Hungarian mobile network operating incumbents Magyar Telekom (T), Telenor and Vodafone are expected to revamp their own package pricing in response to Digi’s entry.