The APT700 spectrum band has been extended to Latin America, with Ericsson and Chile-based operator Entel completing the first data session on the frequency.
The two companies ran data sessions across 10 test sites on Entel’s 4G network, due to launch on APT700 next year, in Rancagua city.
Entel was one of three Chilean operators to win a licence on the APT700 band following the country’s spectrum auction in February this year.
APT700 has largely been deployed across Asia and Oceania, with Ericsson involved in the rollout of the world’s first network in Taiwan in June and the first trials with Telstra.
However, vendor rival Nokia Networks used the band on a large-scale LTE broadcast trial in Germany during the summer.
Antonio Büchi, CEO, Entel, said: “The APT700 band has the ability to provide excellent in-building coverage as well as wide area coverage in suburban and rural areas. We expect, once we have the release by the government, to deploy our nationwide network.
“Our customers will benefit from an LTE mobile broadband service featuring a combination of high speed, improved throughput and low latency, all of which combine to provide an enhanced user experience.”
Nicolas Brancoli, Vice President of Ericsson Latin America, added: “This test marks another significant milestone for Ericsson and Entel, and further consolidates our network leadership in the region. This is the latest in a number of successful technology trials undertaken with Entel aimed at readying the operator’s network for the release of the APT700 digital dividend.”
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