Local telecom operators can now to utilize the 1800MHz spectrum that has been allocated to them by the Posts and Telecommunications Department.
Telecom operators also said that networks will be expanded to 4G by using that spectrum.
Myanmar Posts and Telecommunications (MPT), Telenor Myanmar Limited, and Ooredoo Myanmar Limited were granted permission by the Posts and Telecommunications Department, that falls under under the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, to use the band.
The Department had granted permission to use the 2x10MHz that comes with a 12-year validity licence, on May 15.
According to the Ministry’s official webpage, permission was granted to mobile operators which have acquired nationwide telecommunications licence.
It also said that the operators will have to pay a fee of US$80million in order to use the band.
Meanwhile, MPT announced on Monday that with the rights obtained to utilize the Ministry’s designated 1800MHz/1.8GHz, it will also be expanding its network to 4G.
It said that user can expect faster data initially in Nay Pyi Taw, Yangon, and Mandalay.
It added that 4G services will be available in other cities in the near future.
It advised MPT subscribers who are currently using the 2G/3G SIM cards, to exchange them free-of-charge to the 4G-ready cards.
Subscribers will retain their numbers and can make the exchange at the nearest MPT branded stores in Nay Pyi Taw, Yangon, and Mandalay.
The 4G network can be accessed by switching the network in phone’s setting to ‘4G/LTE’.
Telenor Myanmar, which previously received the rights to use the 2100MHz and 900MHz spectrum, brought the 4G network to 19 cities.
Now, the 4G network can be extensively provided after receiving the rights to utilize the 1800MHz spectrum, said CEO, Lars Erik Tellmann.
“Telenor is doing its best to be able to provide 4G/LTE network from the 1800MHz spectrum. In a short while, we hope that this coverage will be available in more cities,” said Tellmann.
Meanwhile, Ooredoo Myanmar had introduced the 4G network in Yangon, Mandalay, and Nay Pyi Taw from May 2016.
In January 2017 the network was been expanded to include the Magwe Region.
LTE is an abbreviation for ‘Long Term Evolution’, which means it is a 4G/LTE data rate that is faster than 3G.
More data can be easily accessed and utilized to download items in a short time.
Games can be played with a smoother experience, HD videos can be shared rapidly, and online content can be accessed quickly with the faster data transfer rates.
Toshitake Amamiya, CEO of MPT-KSGM Joint Operations said, “With the 4G technology, data downloads can be completed in a short time, games can be experienced with a smoother frame rates, HD videos can be shared quickly, and online contents can be accessed in a flash.
“Moreover, if you want to use 4G/LTE, the price charged will be the same as the Colourful Data Pack program, as well as the original 3G data and all call rates.”
Currently, MPT has over 25 million users, Telenor about 19 million, and Ooredoo has nine million.