OREANDA-NEWS. January 13, 2011. Tenders for 4G (LTE) frequencies from the so-called “digital dividend” range, i.e. 700-862 MHz and 890-915 MHz, as well as for frequencies from the 2.5-2.7 GHz range, may be arranged in as soon as 2H2011, Russian communications minister, Igor Shyogolev told journalists. He added this would happen if Big 3 operators and Rostelecom came up with an appropriate RF spectrum conversion rate by the summer.

On 28 December 2010, the state Radio Frequency Committee authorized MTS, VimpelCom, Megafon and Rostelecom to form a consortium that would analyze the required radio-frequency spectrum for LTE networks and prepare suggestions for frequency conversion. The Radio Frequency Committee is to consider results of their findings by 1 July 2011.

The consortium structure is open, i.e. any other company may join it at any time. Frequencies to be analyzed lie in the following ranges: 700-862 MHz, 890-915 MHz, 935-960 MHz, 1710-1785 MHz, 1805-1880 MHz, 1920-1950 MHz, 2010-2015 MHz, 2110-2140 MHz and 2500-2700 MHz.