In a joint announcement, the National Media and Infocommunications Authority (NMHH) and Magyar Telekom revealed that the administrative contract required for frequency use has been signed, giving the green light to broader access to data and telecommunications services in Hungary. Starting as early as tomorrow, customers of the country’s largest telecom provider, which has been assigned new frequencies and is now possessing the pertaining spectrum licence, will be enjoying the maximum data rate possible with today’s technology across the entire network, which will also see the deployment of an additional 450 4G base stations. Telekom’s plans for late 2015 include full geographic and a 93-percent population-based coverage outdoors nationwide, with excellent service quality throughout its 4G network.

Following the successful completion of the spectrum tender, Magyar Telekom was the first winning bidder to sign with the NMHH the administrative contract that is required for the use and operation of the frequency block awarded. On 17 October, NMHH President Monika Karas presented the frequency assignment and spectrum licence to Magyar Telekom CEO Christopher Mattheisen. As is known, once the tender results were announced, the Authority had 50 days for contracting with the winning providers. After talks began on 1 October, the parties reached an agreement in two weeks, thanks to the shared goals and mutual cooperation on both sides. This goes to illustrate that the NMHH, which exercises state ownership rights over radio frequencies, considers service providers its partners and, with the contract stipulating the terms of spectrum use for the period up to 2034, is at the forefront of harmonising future interests at the level of authority, subscribers and the mobile service provider, the latter playing a key role in Hungary’s digital economy.

The newly acquired frequencies allow for network enhancements using today’s most advanced technologies, especially 4G/LTE, and guarantee a safe and sustainable path of development. Having successfully sold the available frequencies, the NMHH attaches particular importance to giving a renewed boost in coverage and capacity expansion for mobile broadband services, thereby inducing improvements in service quality and contributing to better consumer welfare and information access. Its ultimate goal is to have service providers serve as active users of the frequencies assigned, rather than merely functioning as passive lessees.

Telekom’s 4G coverage expands further as early as tomorrow

At the frequency tender, Magyar Telekom was awarded packages A, D and E, thus seeing its nationwide bandwidth of 85 MHz nearly double to 189 MHz. Committed to deploying the large-coverage 4G/LTE network at 800 MHz, the provider has undertaken the obligation to ensure coverage in 38 percent of hitherto uncovered localities with a population of less than 1,000 each, within one year.

Immediately upon taking possession of the new frequencies, Telekom is set to introduce further enhancements in its 4G network coverage, and will deploy an additional 450 4G base stations nationwide as early as this coming Saturday. As a result, customers will be enjoying the maximum data rate possible with today’s technology across the entire network, announced Christopher Mattheisen, the company’s CEO, at a joint press conference held with the NMHH today. Telekom is sternly committed to developing its 4G mobile services and, by late 2015, intends to achieve full geographic and a 93-percent population-based coverage outdoors nationwide, with excellent service quality throughout its 4G network.