Omnitel expands LTE, HSPA+ network coverage

Omnitel, Lithuania’s largest mobile operator by subscribers, has announced that it has expanded coverage of its Long Term Evolution (LTE) mobile broadband network to the Baltic coast resorts of Palanga and Nida. The TeliaSonera subsidiary has also announced the upgrade of its 3G network to HSPA+ technology, which supports maximum download speeds of 21Mbps, in Kretinga, Sventosios, Palanga and the Curonian Spit. Around one-third of Omnitel’s network has so far been modernised, with other major cities, including Klaipeda, Siauliai and Panevezys, to follow shortly; by the end of 2012 the cellco aims to have upgraded around half of its 3G network. TeleGeography’s GlobalComms Database states that Omnitel became Lithuania’s first LTE service provider when it launched commercial services in the downtown areas of Vilnius, Kaunas, Klaipeda, Siauliai and Panevezys in May 2011. The network, which operates in the 1800MHz frequency band, supports maximum download speeds of up to 80Mbps.