Swedish Post and Telecom Agency (PTS) has announced the result of the licence auction for the 800 MHz frequency band. Three bidders TeliaSonera, HI3G Access & Net4Mobility won licenses for approximately SEK 2 billion. PTS’s auction over the Internet was concluded after almost five days of bidding and 31 bidding rounds. 

According to TeliaSonera, the company will use the licence for further expansion of the first and most extensive 4G network in Sweden.

“Our investment in the 800 MHz frequency band is the basis for a continued cost efficient 4G-roll out as well as providing a high quality customer experience. Together with the company’s investments in fixed broadband and other mobile networks, this will give our customers the best Internet access wherever they are,” says Håkan Dahlström, President of TeliaSonera Mobility Services.

In Sweden, TeliaSonera’s 4G network today covers 28 cities and villages. By the end of 2011, the 4G network will be deployed in a total of 237 Swedish cities and villages.

The licence granted now is valid for 25 years, and the cost for TeliaSonera’s licence is SEK 854 million for frequency blocks of 2x10 MHz in the 800 MHz frequency band. The acquired frequency blocks in the 800 MHz frequency band are not subject to any conditions related to construction pace or population coverage in Sweden. TeliaSonera has had a licence for the 2.6 GHz frequency band in Sweden, so far used in the existing 4G roll out.