State-owned provider Myanmar Post and Telecommunications (MPT) has launched full commercial LTE services in Nay Pyi Taw, Yangon and Mandalay, using frequencies in the 1800MHz band that it acquired earlier this month. Although currently limited to just three cities, MPT notes that it will make the service available in other locations in the near future.
As previously reported by TeleGeography’s CommsUpdate, the operator had soft-launched LTE services in areas of Nay Pyi Taw and Yangon in October 2016 using the 2100MHz band spectrum whilst it awaited the allocation of 1800MHz licences. Last week the Post and Telecommunications Department (PTD) of Myanmar’s Ministry of Transport and Communications (MCIT) issued MPT – along with its competitors Ooredoo Myanmar and Telenor Myanmar – a twelve-year licence for 2×10MHz of 1800MHz spectrum, with a price tag of USD80 million, using a direct allocation method. A 2×10MHz block was also reserved for Vietnamese-backed newcomer Myanmar National Tele & Communications (MNTC), which will operate under the Mytel brand. The operators also have the option of purchasing a further 2×10MHz block each on a ‘first come first served’ basis, though none of the trio are understood to have taken the opportunity yet.