The Finnish Communications Regulatory Authority (FICORA) has forged an agreement with the Russian spectrum authorities on the coordination of the 800 MHz frequency band in the border area between the two countries. In Russia, the 800 MHz band is used by air navigation systems. The development will speed up the construction of mobile broadband networks using 800 MHz spectrum in Finland.

In Moscow, FICORA and the Russian spectrum authorities have signed an agreement on the usage of the 800 MHz frequency band in the border area of the two countries.

Finland and Russia have been discussing on the use of the frequency band in the border area of the two countries for several years. In Russia, the 800 MHz frequency band is used by aeronautical radionavigation systems. The new agreement enables the construction of new mobile networks to begin earlier than the regulation of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) would have suggested*.

Along with the new agreement, a mobile network can be constructed with full coverage at the distance of 55 kilometres from the Russian border in the 800 MHz frequency band. In the best scenario, the base station may be built at the distance of 12 kilometres from the border and customers may use terminal devices at the distance of four kilometres from the border.

The agreement includes limitations to ensure that the Russian aeronautical radionavigation systems will not suffer from interference in the border area. The technical limitations for use apply equally for the whole frequency band that is to be used by mobile networks. However, the agreement will not cover the stations of the aeronautical radionavigation system currently used by Russia that may limit the operation of mobile communication systems in Finland.

Agreement significant to development of Finnish communications section

This agreement is remarkable for the communications sector in Finland, since the 800 MHz frequency band is very beneficial for the Finnish telecommunications operators in both technical and economic respects. Other such frequency bands are not expected to become available in the near future. The 800 MHz frequency band is very well suited for the provision of broadband services in sparsely-populated areas.
The Finnish and Russian spectrum authorities have agreed on that it is possible to begin testing the mobile networks in the 800 MHz frequency band. FICORA granted the first radio licences for testing the third generation mobile networks (LTE networks) in the beginning of July.

*It was decided by the World Radiocommunication Conference of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in 2007 that mobile networks may use the 800 MHz frequency band as of 2015. Countries may introduce the mobile communication systems earlier by negotiating with neighbouring countries.