Nokia Siemens Networks, Nokia Complete LTE Call

Digital Dividend radio spectrum service is a step closer as Nokia Siemens Networks and Nokia have recently completed a Long Term Evolution (LTE) data call using Nokia Siemens' 800 MHz frequency band equipment, the two companies announced in a statement. The Digital Dividend spectrum is becoming available as TV moves to digital broadcasting from analog. The interoperability test was successful and is significant in terms of moving LTE ahead on this band, especially for deployment in rural areas, Nokia Siemens said.

Digital Dividend provides rapid and cost-efficient mobile broadband services, according to a statement by Nokia Siemens. The tests were made possible with release of the frequency band by regulators and its assignment for LTE usage. The two companies said they have partnered to bring commercial LTE 800 to operators' networks as soon as possible.

Nokia Siemens Networks began production of LTE-ready Flexi Multiradio Base Stations for the 800 MHz band in April, in tandem with Nokia, following earlier tests on the 2100 MHz and 2600 MHz bands. They were conducted at Nokia Siemens Networks' LTE Center of Competence in Espoo, Finland.

The goal of the tests was to demonstrate end-to-end interoperability of Nokia Siemens Networks' LTE network infrastructure with Nokia's LTE-capable multi-mode, multi-band Internet Modem RD-3, the companies said.

"These tests are part of a larger campaign which includes various customer trials and demonstrations to make LTE on 800 MHz commercially viable by this summer," said Reino Tammela, head of LTE business line, Nokia Siemens Networks, in a statement. Once the first Digital Dividend spectrum was assigned to operators in the spectrum auction in Germany in May, he said, the companies wanted to make standard compliant LTE network products and LTE user devices commercially available for this band. "This will enable successful rapid LTE network rollouts, allowing end users to experience high speed and high quality mobile broadband services in rural areas with a large variety of terminals."

The 800 MHz band has a longer range, allowing operators to cover a specified area with fewer sites, in comparison with higher frequencies, the companies' statement said. Deploying LTE in 800 MHz gives operators the ability to easily achieve the same coverage as GSM, or 900 MHz networks, using their base station sites, and this is a significant step toward making universal broadband available, according to the two companies.

Nokia Siemens Networks is a global provider of telecommunications hardware, software and services. Nokia is the largest manufacturer of mobile devices in the world.