Telenor has carried out tests of 4G technology in a number of major cities in Myanmar and is pushing the government to allocate spectrum to make rollout possible.

The Norwegian operator, which was the second international telco to launch mobile services in Myanmar almost two years ago, has tested 4G services in Yangon, Mandalay, Nay Pyi Taw, Myawady and Muse, the Myanmar Times reported this week, citing a company spokesperson.

The telco declined to comment on the timing of its full 4G service launch, the paper said, but it noted that Japan's Nikkei recently quoted Telenor Myanmar's chief executive Petter Furberg as predicting a possible summer launch.

Much hinges on the availability of spectrum though.

The state plans to make airwaves in the 1800 MHz and 2.6 GHz bands available, with the first auction – of the 2.6-GHz spectrum – scheduled to take place this quarter, although given that the end of Q2 is fast approaching, that seems like an unrealistic deadline.

Myanmar's telcos have called for the 1800-MHz sale to be pushed up the agenda, the paper explained. Indeed, the Telenor spokesperson said his company has been in constant dialogue with the government with a view to accelerating the auction.

Telenor and state-owned operator Myanma Posts and Telecommunications (MPT), which recently announced it will launch 4G services as soon as it is ready, the paper said, plan to launch data services initially, followed by more handset-based services, such as HD voice, at a later date.

Ooredoo, which beat Telenor to market in Myanmar by a matter of weeks, began offering 4G services in major cities last month.

Totaltele.com