TeliaSonera Finland says that it is appealing against the Finnish Communications Regulatory Authority's (FICORA) GSM 900 radio license decision and has requested that the enforcement of the decision should be suspended for the duration of the appeal process. The Finnish Communications Regulatory Authority (FICORA) announced yesterday that it is going to transfer some GSM spectrum from Sonera Mobile to rival operator, Finnet Networks from the end of next year. Sonera Mobile is due to hold onto that spectrum until the end of 2010 according to its current license.
"We are committed to advancing the information society in the long run. Unfortunately, we are now obliged to direct investments to implementing a transfer of the rights of use related to the basic GSM network. We find the decision not only surprising but also contradictory: Finland has been concerned about the adequate level of investments that would secure the emergence of the future information society, and now the implementation of the decision requires that we make additional outlays on mobile technology that is less efficient than 3G," says Juho Lipsanen, President TeliaSonera Finland.
TeliaSonera Finland estimates that the transfer of the rights of use will result in one time expenses of approximately US$18 - 24 million, mostly in capital expenditure. If the transfer proceeds in accordance with the decision of the Finnish Communications Regulatory Authority, TeliaSonera Finland will recognise the expense in its 2006 financials.
In Finland, the radio frequencies needed in the mobile communications network business are managed by FICORA, which grants network operators a right to use frequencies for a fixed term. In addition to the license of Sonera Mobile Networks, FICORA also made a decision on the P-GSM 900 radio licenses of Elisa and Finnet Networks. The rights of use of all three operators are in force until December 31, 2010."
Posted to the site on 6th January 2006
Posted to: www.cellular-news.com/story/15466.php