Russian long-distance operator Rostelecom has applied to the State Commission for Radio Frequencies for construction of LTE networks in Sochi, reports Vedomosti. 

Rostelecom had won permit to build a wireless broadband access network covering a third of the Russian population in March this year. The licences awarded each operator 30MHz of spectrum in the 2.3GHz-2.4GHz band for each constituent region. Under the conditions of the licences, the operators have 18 months to build and launch 4G networks using Russian-made equipment in their respective areas.

Russian  mobile operator Megafon also plans LTE development in the same region. Both operators are sponsors of the Olympics in Sochi in 2014 and therefore they can get scarce frequency resource out of competition. The ministry argues that building two LTE networks in Sochi is impractical and says it is necessary for Megafon and Rostelecom to negotiate.