Dhivehi Raajjeyge Gulhun (Dhiraagu), the Maldives’ incumbent telecoms operator, has commercially launched an LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) network in the country using carrier aggregation (CA) technology in the 1800MHz and 2600MHz frequency bands. According to a press release, in order to access the new mobile broadband network, which offers downlink/uplink speeds of 300Mbps/50Mbps, potential users need to have LTE Category 6 (CAT 6) devices. Dhiraagu’s marketing communications manager, Mohamed Mirshan Hassan, said: ‘LTE-Advanced is yet another step in our continuous efforts to offer the best mobile internet possible to our customers. Our objective is to continue our effort in developing innovative solutions by adding maximum value to our customers and be the front runner in introducing latest mobile broadband technologies in the Maldives’.
According to TeleGeography’s GlobalComms Database, Dhiraagu launched its LTE network in Male City, Villingili, Hulhumale and the Ibrahim Nasir International Airport in October 2014; the operator currently provides 4G/LTE coverage to 50% of the population.