Posted: 20th Sep, 2010 By: MarkJ
Clear Mobitel (CM), which recently ran the first live UK consumer trial of superfast 4G ( Long Term Evolution - LTE ) based Mobile Broadband services over the
800MHz Digital Dividend wireless radio spectrum band in
Cornwall (
here), has officially been granted a licence by Ofcom to operate the same service over 2600MHz in
Jersey.
We note that Clear Mobitel initially achieved a recommendation of allocation in the 2600MHz band to operate a 4G LTE network from the
Jersey Competition and Regulatory Authority (JCRA) in 2009.
JCRA Chief Executive, Chuck Webb, said:
"The JCRA has been informed by Ofcom that it has granted Clear Mobitel (Jersey) Ltd (CMJ) a licence to test and develop fourth generation (4G) Long Term Evolution (LTE) radio infrastructure in the 2600 MHz band in Jersey. Ofcom's licence is based on a recommendation for spectrum in Jersey's 2600 MHz band the JCRA made last year, after a public consultation and based on proposals put forth by various operators.
CMJ has stated its intention to operate an advanced 4G LTE mobile broadband network in Jersey. CMJ's planned entry would bring additional competition and consumer choice in the provision of broadband services in Jersey."
Clear Mobitel's CEO and Founder, Harpal Mann, added:
"I am delighted at the news of this grant of this radio frequency license by Ofcom to Clear Mobitel (Jersey) Ltd to operate 4G LTE technology. However launching Clear Mobitel’s business operations and delivering the stated strategic programme of inward investment programme of the company in the Channel Islands has been very challenging and indeed highly frustrating. I certainly understand what Sir Richard Branson went through when he started up Virgin."
As it stands, Clear Mobitel plans to begin work on the new network in the late autumn 2010, which will trial state-of-the-art 4G LTE devices that it designs and manufactures itself, to connect customers with a high speed Mobile Broadband network in Jersey.